472 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH 
fessional brethren to remember, that the self-rectifying principle 
must take root in the main body of the profession. There must 
be unity, harmony, and concord among ourselves ; for if the 
house be divided against itself, it cannot stand. An inconsider- 
able number of traitors, lukewarm adherents, and selfish adven- 
turers within the camp, will operate more against a good cause 
than a thousand beleaguring enemies without. I see with much 
concern the want of courtesy, the virulence and party spirit, that 
too frequently animates those who should unite, as members of an 
honourable profession, in promoting its best interests, even at the 
sacrifice of their own personal prejudice. To descend to per- 
sonal abuse is the most degrading means in which a man may 
meanly seek to avenge himself of his adversary. The laws of 
chivalry ever regarded that knight to be worsted in the conflict 
who was driven to the extremity of defending himself by dis- 
honourable means or unknightly weapons ; “ but, alas !” says 
Burke, “ the days of chivalry are gone.’ 7 Let us openly avow 
our sentiments upon all professional subjects, listening with can- 
dour, and temperately considering the opinions of those who 
differ from us. The spark of truth is most frequently elicited 
from the collision of conflicting opinions ; and is not truth the 
main object of all our discussions ? The greatest enemy to 
truth is ignorant and bigotted prejudice — I say ignorant, head- 
strong, and bigotted prejudice ; because all prejudices are not 
necessarily bad things, although they may often do much harm. 
There are good prejudices as well as bad ones. We may be 
jealous for the honour of our country or of our profession, and 
entertain upon both subjects prejudices with which we would 
not willingly part, and which I sincerely believe to be honorable 
in themselves, if we do not unjustly detract from the merits of 
other countries and other professions. We are looking forward 
to anew era in our profession ; and most earnestly do I trust that, 
when we obtain the privileges we so much solicit, the boon may 
not be rendered nugatory by the unfitness of those to appreciate 
the benefit for whom it has been obtained. 1 believe education 
to be the lever that must raise our profession to its right and 
proper position. A lever to be fixed in the heads and hearts of 
its several members, elevating the former with thoughts, ac- 
quirements, and pursuits above the low and sensual associations 
of the ignorant and unlettered ; and kindling in the latter, that 
warm feeling of kindness, peace, good will, and universal charity, 
which shall extend itself in benevolent sympathy to every thing 
that breathes in the wide chain of organized being and 
“ Lift to heaven the unpresumptuous eye. 
And, smiling, say. My Father made them all.” 
