ADDRESS TO THE VETERINARY PROFESSION. 
331 
conform to that which is required, they must be content to abide 
by the consequences of their own contumacy. From public opi- 
nion there is no appeal ; it is the tribunal before which all mem- 
bers of the community must bow ; and if any will act in defiance 
of its behests, the punishment must be submitted to. 
We, the many, know the errors existing : the fiat has been 
issued for the removal of them, and vain is the struggle to combat 
the decision. If those who are placed in the position do not think 
proper to obey, then the remedy is simple ; others will be produced 
to supply the want. 
In a civilized community a want never exists without its being 
speedily supplied. The public and the profession have expressed 
the want of better instructed members of our art. The result is 
inevitable — the want will be supplied : if by the present establish- 
ments, all well and good, and so much the better ; but, if not, then 
others will arise in their place. 
With these plain facts before us I must protest against the idle 
vaunts and imbecile attempts of those who ought to yield at once 
to the public voice. It betrays extreme ignorance of social law 
to attempt to oppose such imperative demands, being made a topic 
on which our time, our best and necessary interests, are to be 
wasted or deferred. We must have no more of such proceedings 
as occurred at the last general meeting. The parties who fancied 
themselves aggrieved were patiently listened to ; but they did not 
bring forward any reasons for recalling or suspending the fiat; on 
the contrary, their attempts at exculpation only shewed the more 
urgently the necessity for the speedy accomplishment of the want. 
I protest against these things, because it is absolutely requisite 
that they be put an end to. I have a right to protest, not 
only for myself, but as one of those elected by the body for the 
management of their affairs and to watch over their inte- 
rests. I have a greater right still to protest against the infringe- 
ment of the interests of that body. Therefore, in the name of 
myself, and for the body at large, do I thus put my public protests 
on record ; and I further consider that, did I not exert myself to 
arrest such injurious proceedings, I should be unworthy of the 
position in which it has been my fortune to be placed by the con- 
fidence of my professional brethren, and whose best interests it is 
my duty to study — 
“ Alitur vitium, vivitque tegendo” — Virg. 
For the present farewell. 
May 6th, 1847. 
Arthur Cherry. 
