FINDING AIDS
Remarks of Justice Rosalie E. Wahl, October 3, 1977
Remarks of Justice Rosalie E. Wahl on being sworn in as a member of the Minnesota Supreme Court, October 3, 1977. Speeches and Writings. Rosalie Wahl Papers.
Digital versionText Transcript
Chief Justice Sheran, Governor Perpich, Friends -- I am awed and honored to assume the office, and the responsibilities of the office, of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Minnesota. Court of last resort -- the state's ultimate protection of the constitutional rights of each of us, guardian of the democratic principles on which our government rests.
I will endeavor, with the other members of the Court, to make equal justice under law a reality for all, for every person.
I have been deeply moved by the messages you have sent -- you who "hunger and thirst after justice;" you who hold that to be able to go to a judge or a court with your disputes with your fellow man, or the government, with the assurance that that one will decide fairly and with wisdom is "the consummation devoutly to be wished;" you who want only that your voice be heard and your case decided on the merits, regardless of your position of power or powerlessness.
In order that justice finally be done, it will be necessary that everyone who has a right to be asserted or a wrong to be redressed have a channel through which to assert that right or redress that wrong and the services of able, effective counsel from the outset.
It will be necessary that, in broad areas of social concern, the interests of the people be zealously asserted by dedicated advocates of those interests.
Then when cases and controversies cannot otherwise be settled, they will come to this Court for final decision with the issues well framed, with the records complete, wth the arguments and equities clearly set out. Justice is served by excellence.
The work of this Court cannot rise above the level of the practice of law throughout the state. High as that level is, we know that it can be higher and we will make it so. The bell of justice may be here in this high court, but the rope that rings it -- like the grapevine rope that rang the bell of Atri -- is among you and it must be long enough for even a child to reach.
My thanks to you Governor Perpich, for your trust in me, your trust that I can hear that bell when it rings.
Thank you.
