The criticisms of which the above are fair samples must be refuted because they find constant repetition and have the authority of distinguished leaders of public opinion, who at the present time seem to have the confidence of the people. Their statements are naturally accepted as true. The judges are being similarly misrepresented and assailed on all sides, and they cannot defend themselves. Thus far the bar at large has seemed indifferent, and a misconception of what constitutes good taste imposes silence upon the counsel engaged in the cases which are criticized. The people are being misled, prejudiced and inflamed by false statements and unfair criticism. If the courts are not defended, they may bend before the storm of undeserved censure. Constituted as humanity is, there is grave danger that the judges will be unconsciously intimidated and coerced by this abuse and clamor. Is it not high time that the members of our profession should charge themselves with the task of defending the courts by placing the facts before the people? The bar associations of the country will never be called upon to render a greater service to the profession and to the community than that of stemming this tide of misrepresentation and intemperate abuse and striving to restore confidence in the learning, impartiality and independence of our judges, in the justice of their decisions, and in the necessity of their enforcing constitutional restraints. Not only are the decisions of the courts constantly distorted and misrepresented, but the people are also being taught that the courts have usurped the power to declare void any statute in conflict with the constitution, and that no such power was ever intended to be conferred by the framers of national or state constitutions. Surely by this time it ought to be manifest that if the courts may not adjudge invalid and refuse to give force and effect to unconstitutional enactments, it is of little or no use to declare in constitutions that legislatures shall not pass bills of attainder, or ex post facto laws, or laws abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or denying the right to trial by jury, or imprisoning without trial, or suspending the writ of habeas corpus, or confiscating private property.