Collections

Call for a Liberal Bar

The history of progress in society is a story of struggle for better law. We do not achieve improvement merely by recording a vote of the people. Their action must be reduced from political principle to a legal rule or an institution. It has been one of the tasks of lawyers to translate the aspirations of our people into law, and into living institutions. In this their function has been vital to progress, and the call for their service is a continuing one.

Democracy’s Race Against Time

There are particular reasons why I am grateful for this opportunity to speak tonight to the Young Democratic Club of New York and this gathering of well wishers. Other speakers have referred to the honor conferred upon me by nomination for the high office of Solicitor General of the Unites States. The Solicitor General is the chief advocate for public causes before the Supreme Court of the United States. The office is probably the only office every lawyer happy in the work of his profession covets.

Address to Pi Gamma Mu

I shall tread but lightly, even by invitation, upon ground that is in possession of Pi Gamma Mu, a National Honor Society in social sciences. Over the years my profession, as a whole, has shown so little hospitality toward those other learnings which may be grouped as social sciences, that I would not be surprised if, in retaliation, you barred all lawyers from your gatherings.

National University Commencement Address

Few Commencements offer opportunity to speak to graduates so mature in experience and in years as do those of National University. Your years of study here have not been a merely pleasing interlude between the age of compulsory education and the age of self-support. You, who have sacrificed leisure to study, who have paid your own way to remove shortcoming which you yourselves have recognized in preparation for life's work, know both the cost and the value of better training.

General Welfare and Industrial Prosperity

The most progressive communities of the United States are the ones that have the most delicate tasks of adjustment between old forms of government and new problems of social security and economic justice. Because the Illinois Municipal League is made up of representatives of the cities of one of the most progressive states of our Union, I have welcomed this opportunity to discuss with you some of the problems that vex all progressing administrations, whether federal, state, or city.

Social Justice Under Our Constitution

Humility best becomes a New Dealer in the presence of this group which knows Catholic social teaching. In most companies we may claim some leadership; here, in truth, we can claim only to have followed- and at a considerable distance behind- in trying to correct social evils which have long ago roused the anxiety of great leaders of the Church.

The Law Catches Up with the Times

Over seven centuries ago, King John at Runnymede set his unwilling hand to the Great Charter of English Liberty. Among other things promised this- "to no one will we sell, to no one will we deny or delay right or justice." King John probably never meant it and soon repudiated it, but he had set forth the ideal toward which English-speaking people are ever striving- that justice shall be swift and simple and reasonable in cost.

The Meaning of Liberalism

I am glad to join with you in honoring your guest of honor, David J. Lowis. He has been an inspiration to forward looking people everywhere for a generation. I have long respected his example and valued his friendship. Likewise, I am glad to speak to a group whose purpose, as I am informed, is to be liberals without ceasing to be Democrats, and to be Democrats without ceasing to be liberals.

The Challenge to the Christian Conscience

The plight of the Jews in the world today is a challenge to the Christian conscience to make good the promise of a Jewish National Home in Palestine. America contributed to the success of the Allies in the World War. She sought nothing for herself- she sought only to establish the conditions of a permanent peace and justice to disadvantaged peoples.

Striking at the Roots of Crime

This evening's meeting is called under most appropriate leadership. Your Presiding Officer (Mrs. Roosevelt) has not only evidenced a desire to improve the lot of her fellow citizens but also a long established interest in improving the methods of correcting their delinquencies. Few of you realize, I suspect, that Mrs. Roosevelt has probably visited personally as many prisons as any woman in America.