[Lurking Libertarian]

There was such an amendment proposed, but it was never ratified, although some publishers did erroneously print it. In any event, it was never intended to keep lawyers out of government, because "Esquire" is not a "title of nobility."

There is an exhaustive discussion of this so-called "missing amendment" here.

[mondonico]

‘There was such an amendment proposed, but it was never ratified, although some publishers did erroneously print it. In any event, it was never intended to keep lawyers out of government, because “Esquire” is not a “title of nobility.”’

Yes. It’s not even an official title—it’s a courtesy that lawyers use when corresponding with each other (many lawyers, myself included, use it when addressing mail to each other but NEVER when referring to oneself).

The title “attorney at law” IS an official title in some states, however (for example, in Pennsylvania). However, so is “Professional Engineer.”