Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-06-09
MORNING HERALD.
Imuortant rrial.--JOhn Haggersy q So"s'
The Banks versus the Press.


The Banks versus the Press
One OF the most important trials that ever LOOK
place in any civilized csuntry will probably Come on
during the present sitting Of the court OF Sess IONS
We alude 10 the trial of JAMES GoRDoN BENsE1r, the
editor of the Herald for the awful crime OF publishing
list of broken banks and persons for the year 1887
The nartcuar form in which this trial is cooked up
nv the gentlemen of the bar, is in the shape Of an in
dictment for libel and the specific the publca-
tion Of the names of JOHN HAoeERry g. Sous; the
principal partner Of whom is manager and director
of one of the broken, fraudulent illegal, unconstu-
tona, impudent, atrocous, daring, tyranncal inso-
lent and swindlng paper institutions in Wall street.
John Haggerty is we believe, native OF Ireland,
and is nothing the for that contingency, but
rather the BETTER provided ne comes from the civilized
sedate moral and Chrstianzed section of that beau
tfal green ISLE He commenced life like others OF his
race with one pair Of breeches, but by labor industry
and good fortune he has risen in the world, mas Deeh
considered rich and is director among dlrectors-a
chief man in Wall street-a great aucloneer ana
knocks down good bargains, or any thing reasonable
that comes in his way On the principle OF the reso-
Iutons which connection ofhis concocted elsewhere,
that the possession of wealth is the representative
of merit" so has it been supposed that Mr. Haggerty
possessed great merit and greater capacity, qualities
which we pray to Heaven he may long enjoy, and
may be able to lay up deposte to meet his notes in
the other world.
In tn present extraordinary affair, he has put him
self forward in very important and conspicuous po-
stion, the mark Of public aention-the vindcaor OF
the broken banks-the defender of the nsoent paper
institutions, which have disgraced and dishonoured
noble and gallant nation, before the whole CONNER
cal world hetechnical form OF this trial is in the
shape of charge for publishing the of Haggerty
as among the suspended, which contained in list
of nearly five hundred persons and institutions. But
even in this form it possesses some pecuarties su
Gent to command the attention Of the world
II will be recollected that several Of the Wall street
prints which are fed by the corrupt banks, published
the statement that General Jackson had failed
became bankrupt There is one that bames the
exPresdent for certain portions of his conduct more
than we do but we do not recoec of ever hearing OF
any fact on which to base such a chargs-not even
having his paper discounted at or per cent per
month Yet no indictment was found on that charge
no complaint was made before the Grand Jury-no
public prosecutor was called upon in " hot haste to
sharpen his knife for the sacrifice But when the edi-
tor of an independent rcsoute Free Intellectual paper
not controlled by banks politicians-beyend the
influence of these cligues of unadulteraed scoundres
who have made the nation bankrupt and dsgraced it
before the world when he does SO then is IT made
ndictabe and wicked, merely to publish rumor that
was more current in town than the very broken bank
bills themselves.
For many days before the publication of the rumor
respecting John Haggerty, his paper was selling
cheap in Wall street rotten oranges. Itwas freely
going and shaving at2, 3, and sometimes per cent
No ,o oatta d
shrewd capitalists that any maa in business who per-
ms his own paper be shaved at nearly 80 per cent
per annum, is any thing but in good condition,
and that they are justified in shaking their head at
him but particularly so when that individuals lead
or among the bank ciques, and director himself OF
one of those paper Institutions. In the case of An
drew Jackson, there not even the shadow Of
suspicion-yet the equity Of grandjury made no in
curry after the slanderers in that case.
There is however, another point in relation TO this
particular case. On the stand in the jury box-be-
fore the whole people Of New York-before the
cheated, defrauded, insulted people, John Hagger-
Nv, a director of one of those fraudulent institu-
tons, will have to submit to examination, the
most remarkable and searching that man yet un-
derwent When he mounts that stand, we ssall have
got before the bench and a jury Of the most i'm
portAnt lt aQerS III w StIctt-oHc VI the
ers in the recent coup defat-one ofthe principal men
in more Infamous suspension Of specie payments
than ever took place in the history of the civilized
world On the part Of the cheated and dsgraced peo
pie ofNew York, he, John Haggerty will take the
solemn oath, he will kiss the sacred volume, and
however banched his countenancc may appear, there
is power above that will force the truth from his
hvid lips when the questions shall be put TO him. care
YOU director of one OF the broken banks? Have you
sir ever had an extension Of your paper by the banks
Has your paper sold for or per cent in Wall street
Were you never reported from these circumstances 10
bebankrupt7 Are you manager of one Of the broken
banks7 Did you not meet in oonclave to get
the banks to break Did the breaking of the banks
save your frm from sudden explosion Can you
say sir, on your oath, Remember, SIR on your oath
that you could have stood the pressure week. nay
one day longer il the banks by your advice and that
Of others in your situation, had not broken, cheated,
defrauded and dsgraccd the whole community ~
To many Of these questions it is probable John
Haggorty may refuse to reply, sheltering himself
under various excuses but we have no doubt they
will be repeated with emphasis and force =" Come
come, Mr. Haggerty, do you not know that the banks
broke and violated their public faith, merely to
from bankruptcy a few large specuatorsq Were
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