The Sun.
London, England, 1849-05-14 00:00:00

We have already commented, on several occasions
and at considerable length, upon the report of that
committee and the evidence on which it was founded,
it is therefore unnecessary to recur thereto. Our
deliberate opinion, " that although there might have
been irregularities, there was nothing in any degree
approaching to fraud, or which might not have been
committed by a man of the highest integrity," was
fully corroborated by the 800 electors of Sunderland,
who, with the evidence fully before them, and
being as competent to form a sound judgment
on the entire transactions as the members of the
committee, declared " that the aspersions that had
been so unsparingly cast upon Mr. HUDSON'S reputa-
tion were more to be ascribed to the disappoined
Ifeelings of sanguine speculators, and the excitement
consequent upon the temporarily depressed state of
the important concerns over which he presided, than
to any just view of the transactions developed in the
recent investigation." There was, therefore, nothing
whatsoever in that report to justify his condemnation,
or to call for his immediate removal from the impor-
tant position which he had occupied for so many
years with credit to himself and advantage to the
company over which he presided ; and it would be
manifestly unjust to anticipate the results of the
further inquiry that has been directed. It is not the
habit of Englishmen to condemn any person without
giving him a full opportunity of being heard in his
own defence, and of repelling the accusations that
may be brought against him. And yet we find that
Mr. HUDSON has been called upon to resign his office
whilst that investigation is pending—a proceeding
which may indeed be regarded as harsh in the extreme,
and utterly unwarranted by the circumstances of the
case. We cannot conclude this notice without briefly
adverting to our own conduct in reference to these
transactions. We have received many communica-
tions thanking us for our continued advocacy of the
railway interests, and for vindicating the character
and integrity of the man who occupied the most pro-
minent position in the railway world, and who, in-
deed, was regarded as the incarnation of the system.
We have also received the coarsest and most unmiti-
gated abuse for the course which we conscientiously
and honestly pursued, imputing to us the most
improper and corrupt motives. We have had no
personal interest directly or indirectly in the result.
We received no communication of any kind either
from Mr. HUDSON or from any person acting in his
behalf. As we have already stated, we are strongly
opposed to many of his political views, and have had
no private acquaintance with him, to induce us to
fight his battles or to attempt to stem the tide of pre-
judice that had set in against him. But we sympa-
thised with a person whom we believed to be made
the victim of unwarrantable attacks, and of whose
houour and integrity we still entertained a high
opinion—an opinion that has not been in any degree
shaken by recent events ; and, therefore, in a spirit of
fair play we gave expression to our unbiassed and
disinterested opinions, opinions in which, we are
convinced, the community in general will eventually
concur when prejudices have passed away, and when
the entire affair is considered calmly and dispas•
sionately.

" Magna est veritas et prasvalebit."

We have no doubt that the time will arrive, and
that speedily, when GEORGE HUDSON'S character and
conduct will be regarded in their true light, and when
the clouds that now rest thereon will be completely
dissipated and dispersed by the light of truth.