or, and with boundless
opportunity of future aggrandizement. The seed planted by John Smith
still grows. The voice of John Smith still lives. That voice has been
swelled into the mighty chorus of 60,000,000 Americans singing the song
of United States. We look forward to a future whose possibilities
stagger all conjecture, to a common ruler of John Smith's ancient
dominions; to a common destiny, such as he mapped out for us. And with
devout and heartfelt gratitude to him, a reunited land proclaims, "Whom
God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." [Great applause.]

* * * * *

THE LEGAL PROFESSION

[Speech of John S. Wise at the annual dinner of the New York State
Bar Association, Albany, N. Y., January 20, 1891. Matthew Hale, the
President, introduced Mr. Wise as follows; "The next sentiment in
order was, by mistake, omitted from the printed list of sentiments
which is before you. The next sentiment is 'The Legal Profession,'
and I call upon a gentleman to respond to that toast who, I venture
to say, has practised law in more States of this Union than any
other gentleman present. I allude to the orator of the day, the
Hon. John S. Wise [applause], formerly of Virginia, but now a
member of the Bar Association of the State of New York."]

MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BAR:--It may not be true that
I have practised law in more States of this Union than any one present,
but it is certainly true that I never did as much speaking in the same
length of time, without charging a fee for it, as I have done within the
last twenty-four hours. [Laughter.] At two o'clock this morning I was in
attendance, in the city of New York, upon a ghost dance of the
Confederate veterans; at two o'clock this evening I resolved myself into
a deep, careful, and circumspect lawyer, and now I am with the boys, and
propose to have a good time. [Laughter.] Now, you know, this scene
strikes me as ridiculous--our getting here together and glorifying
ourselves and nobody to pay for it. My opinion is, that the part of
wisdom is to bottle this oratory and keep it on tap at $5 a minute.
[Laughter.] The Legal Profession--why, of course, we are the best
fellows in the world. Who is here to deny it? It reminds me of an
anecdote told by an old politician in Virginia, who said that one day,
with his man, he was riding to Chesterfield court, and they got
discussin