The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-24 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 24, 18G9.

The decision of the jury in the OVEnEND and
GURNEY case has given pretty general satisfaction,
and those who were not previously prepared for the
verdict of not guilty seem to have reconciled them-

selves to it, and agreed that it was the best test that
could be recorded under the circumstances. At the
same time it is a relief to all persons that the trial
should have been carried out and not put off indefi-

nitely as some feared, and as at one time appeared
only tooprobable. In every respect it is fortunate that
the proceedings at the Court of Queen's Bench were
carried on in a calmer spirit than that which pervaded
the trial at the Mansion House. The charge was too
serious a one and the consequences too grave for the
intrusion of personal feeling or prejudice to be justi-
fied, and the public may rest satisfied with the manner
in which the difficult task has been performed by
those who had to deal with the case. In his admir-
able charge, the Lord Chief Justic3 put the principal
points of the case very clearly before the jury, and
warned them that they were dealing with an affair
which was on the confines of civil and criminal law.
Perhaps the best thing to do now is to guard against
rushing into the other extreme, and believing the
directors to be as free from blame as thL y were a few
months ago supposed guilty of heavy offences. We
cordially agree with the hope expressed by the Lord
Chief Justice at the conclusion of his speech, when
he referred to the lesson which these events might
teach the commercial world. There is no doubt, as
he said, that a spirit of speculation and gambling
has taken hold of the minds of large classes of the
population. Those who are not satisfied with
"moderate gains and safe investments" will not be
content until they realise more than ordinary profits.
The mischief that ensues, and the misery that is the
result of this unwise course, have been told only too
plainly during the last few years ; and let us trust
that, as his lordship said, this memorable case may
have the salutary effect of checking the disposition to
speculation which seems to pervade all classes, and that
its sad consequences, which have led to high and illus-
trious names being soiled and tarnished, may prevent

men from engaging in doubtful and disreputable

transactions. Putting abide the charge of fraud
against the OVEREND and GURNEY directors, there
yet remains much for which they are accountable, and
many of their actions were inexcusable, even though
it be established that they were performed with the

beat intentions, and under the impression that the
general interests of those concerned were being studied.
We should not do evil that good may come of it is a
truth that needs no elucidation ; and it would be well
if commercial men would also remember that they
have no right to risk the safety and security of others
in carrying out their own individual views and opi-
nions. To make a lucky hit or a fortunate venture
the test of merit is manifestly unfair, but such is too
often the judgment of the world—success is virtue
and misfortune blame. Those who can see clearer and
further, however, will acknowledge that the real es-
timate to tale of men of high position and great in-
fluence is the spirit iu which th"y act. It would be
well also for tho.:e who are inclined to pass too
harsh a judgment on these unfortunate directors to
remember that they only followed the dictates of the
spitit of the age. Hail they been wise enough to
withstand the mania for speculation they would not
haveb,!en where they were on Wednesday; but let it be
also remembered that there would have been nothing
to lay to their charge if the business world had
been as cautious and prudent as it was a g,-nieration
ago. They did not create the circumstances which
led to their ruin and the grief of many, and there-
fore their individual loss may yet turn to general
gain, if the public will have sense and spirit enough
to appreciate the lesson. Making too much baste to