YMCA Night Law School - Triangle Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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gig? XXXW A' VX53,f,-Ural UTISNGLEA gl. s L 28 Q, - 1 ? tg-25:9 Extracts given by authorities herein are to prove that the merits of logic, known otherwise as correct reasoning, are absolutely essential in establishing good law. The degree of modern learning can only be based upon right apprehension. The intel' ligence exhibited by ancient philosophers, writers and lawmakers should be but one iota if we were to measure by the advance of years a comparison to present day conf tributors. However, advancement has been so diversified that any statement made in this respect would be unfounded unless one were acquainted within a large scope with all subjects relating thereto. By such diversity the logician today as well as yesterday has never reached the ultimate line of problems presented for his determination. The law continually encounters new barriers. When law comes in contact with a new problem logic servesiin its solution. Logic is the backbone of the law. HI One of the early rules governing human conduct provides that you must 'LSO use your own that you shall not injure another's. What, then, have the principles of law and logic proved? They have probably done more to advance society than any other means could possibly have done. Law has developed gradually. Rebuilt portions that have been outgrown by time serve as steps upon which a surer footing can be acquired. The incomparable commentator, Sir William Blackstone expanded the elements of legal factors to a practical form. In 2 Bl. Com., 44, we read: In the course of our observations nu this and may other parts of the present book, we may have occasion to search p-retty highly into the antiquities of our English jurisprudence, yet surely no industrious student will imagine his time misemployed when he is led to consider that the obselete doctrines of our laws are frequently the foundation upon which what remains is erected, and that it is impracticable to comprehend many of the rules of the modern law in a scholarlike, scientinc manner, without having recourse to the ancient. The logic and law of yore is the strength of logic and law in the present. The brutum fulmen of corruption and other transgressions cannot hold against the su' premacy of truth, the keyword of logic. Invariably, when the false blows of these fallacies register upon public record they kill themselves because they are not logical. I have heard quoted before: The wisdom of a serpent is to hide itself. Law that is not based upon correct reasoning is continually assailed and sooner or later exposed, though it stay for innumerable years. Truth is mighty, and it will prevail fmagna est veritos, et prevalebitj and that is reason in its state of perfection. Following the tendencies of modern jurists for the simplification and unifornrityof law we can only hope for a bright future in our coming professional duties. It is for us to raise the standard of legal ethics and enslave ourselves to the all powered master, logic. The reputation of a nation is at 'ji 42 xx- . :fr-7-:A wr W- ,: . TH,-1. 1-W T- , '.-N . V QQ J B . r ,fa , B7 is ii' .,f,:?e1+-i ss-iiefss-fe??5.l.NfiJfM fw A ,ig L3 C- f iff , '!f,.4-L, cy..q 5 ffirnih BX x

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G 1 F x f ' k,2 Q 1:72 X! f.b' 3 1 II Logica est afrs ratiocinandi, ut discematur verum et falso. Logic is the art of reasoning, to the end that truth may be discerned from falsity -Aristotle Two thousand five hundred and fifty years before Christ, an Egyptian book was written called, k'The Precepts of PtahfHotep.', This is probably the oldest book in the world. The book shows by its lines that the wisdom of man had developed considerably. We think of Solomon as being the wise man of ancient times, but the space of years between him and PtahfHotep is greater than that between Solomon and ourselves. This wonderful specimen written in such a period of antiquity reveals a clear sense of reasoning ability. In The Cutline of Literature edited by John Drinkwater, the following extract is taken from Mr. Cunn's translation: If thou be an emissary sent from one noble to another, be exact after the manner of him that sent thee, give his message even as he hath said it. Beware of making enmity by thy words, setting one noble against the other by perverting truth. Cverstep it not, neither repeat that which any man, be he prince or peasant, saith in opening the heart, it is abhorrent to the soul. By this we see that logic was put into use at an exceedingly early period. We can trace the wisdom and reasoning of men like the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius. The Greeks, the Romans and the Hebrews all added their bit to the promotion of truthful discernment. The iirst five 'books of the Bible which are inscribed The Lawn are specific evidence of a growing practice of discrimination. While these Jewish writings are filled with history and religious convictions the development of th-e propensities of thought are apparent. Men, by the application of reason have unearthed rules for the guidance of their behavior. The great problem encountered by society is the discrimination between right and wrong. There are certain principles upon which man may follow if he is to judge freely the issues that confront him and his associates. Law is presumably correct and logic is the solution of the elements that go to make it into a concrete factor. Thus we arrive at the principle that obedience to law is liberty. If to draw a fine hair line distinction our consideration will fall upon no truer words than those of an unknown author quoted as follows: It is because men are prone to be partial towards those they love, unjust towards those they hate, servile towards those above them, arrogant towards those below them, and either harsh or overfindulgent to those in poverty or distress, that it is diiiicult to find anyone capable of exercising a sound judgment with respect to the qualities of others. fig? WI j T fi: as ,img K K Tix if Bl?-. T 5' - ABT' X X K7 it V gr My agkpfss g se ft-Q 73

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WX . -.:.,.--- , W ---f - N- fl , 2 X ' fa-QQ.. ' 1 Cf' 'Iij, Qd,,..i ' C' H1625 si-'fe-aff ik:-6 if Xe-:ef'CfggxEp5wswfs.Yti?2T stake as well as its progress in every phase of existence. The legal profession controls the balance of justice. Character is the moulding feature of the law as a whole. The men behind the wheel, the minds that control the works should be free and apprehensive. The lawyer must love the things that are beneficial to the service of mankind, he should act from purely honest motives if he is to direct the machine of the law. From these standards have the logical foundations of the rules of the universe given rise to the force and power of law. I The character of the student of law may be developed along correct lines. It is never too late to take new views toward the ever increasing needs of our communities and prepare ourselves to meet these needs and defend the rights of the people about us. The lawyer is looked upon as an authority in his neighborhood, he is the one called on to perform civic duties and how can he do these things conscientiously if he has not the backing of a reputable character? Character is an essential to reasoning i ability because it is of sound personal thought that its strength takes root. Every wrong thought can be guarded against. Since authorities are impressing upon students of law that character is essential to a thrivmg legal profession and since character is seated in logic and law plus logic are essential to society we deduct there' fore, that these elements are the natural tendencies toward universal freedom. Through the accession of these attributes the elements of unadulterated legal guidance is assured. It is logic that brings liberty, such liberty being the manifestation of truth, replacing corruption with the reality of a concrete foundation of law and reason. Correct governing gives prudence and energy spreading peace and power beyond the scope of its own bounds. If principle were followed there would be no reason for the nation to point to any particular community as a horrible example of the miscarriage of justice. The nation itself would not be infected with the disease of such legal disorder if reasoning were followed logically. If American juries are composed of persons representing less than the average ability for straight thinking and sterness of conviction it is time to remedy them. Cur own logic tells us that if such is the case, there should be a national reform in the jury ' system. The things that seemingly dismantle the logic in law cannot hold, for the grasp of the men of character within the profession will not permit it. With a sense of safety and protection surrounding the people of this nation only cheerful, optimistic and harmonious attainments can be the product. Let us therefore, use the rightful abilities in our legal applications as students and lawyers to the end that the laws be free from contamination and that we prepare ourselves in character and knowledge to carry on the great task of a great nation. tfiffzfiiff , -agp Zlxmhx 1?fr1's,Qfs X fi ff shark M f lit ZR? K' mira N - A? T '5-at V C2 It if ,f'f' X- 'VZXTTSD'