The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-18

This result has very naturally created much sur
prise. When we were tried for what Judge Kent
himself intimated might be a jeu d'esprt on Judge
Noah, we were brought in guilty-but when Colonel
Stone is tired for imputing corruption and con-
spiracy' to the Judges of the Oyer and Terminer,
the Jury is divided, ten in avor-only two against
hun
How is thsl This singular diversity in jury de-
cislons arises partly from the peculiar character of
the law of Ebel-a law which is very loose and very
ill-deined. In 1887, we were fined $500 for merely
the insertion of a mans name by mistake Uohn
IIaggerty), when no malice nor design could be i'm
puted, for it was corrected next day without So
liciaton. such the anomalies of the law of
libel Atpresent the law is without form, or prn-
cipie. Its decisions entirely under the impulse
of preludlces, acting any Jury for the time being
Political preiudices have mixed up with the case of
Stone, and TO that may be ascribed the ano
malous result.
Yet we do not regret this result. We have no
wish 10 VIM l.. Stone punished for the publica-
ton of an article incorrect in itself, but which he
was willing TO correct and rectIty. He was led
away by bad advisers-who had their own purposes
serve. He and all the others involved
with him in these libel suits, have got
themselves into their present difficulty from
entertaining spirit of too intense malice and hate
towards the Herald, and its remarkable success in
the legitimate business OF newspaper. Even this
mean and ignoble spirit not abandoned on the
ual-bu ketchum, the counsel of Stone must
needs consider it one of his duties to repeat and
revamp all the stale and exploded alsehoods, which
were originally colnedlby the late " Evening Star"
and which contributed to consign that print to
mered oblivion We had expected better things
of ketchum, who sets up for a saint, a believer,
Christian and moralis--al of the highest order
and pures quality--but we suppose Providence per-
United such spectacle to take place for some wise
purpose or other
NO; visible to mortal ken.
Whether these trials will yet proceed we know
Motive care not. But if they do proceed, with
the same temper and spirit in which they origina-
ed. we .predic that neither Judge, jury, counsel,
clients, nor witnesses swill gain much aurels here
atter-but rather the whole will involve themselves
in an inextricable labyrinth of regret, and re-
proach and ridicue.
The whole imbroglio originates in the meanness
and malice of those cliqtes in Wall street, that
wanted TO destroy the Herald and immediate us, be-
cause we were more successful in business. 1t is
the natural and legitimate result of that bitter spirit
ofpersecuton that began in 1887 against us in Wall
street, because we dared to give higher degree of
elevation, morals, liberay, and universally to the
newspaper press than had hitherto been attempted
in this country. This conspiracy, however, has
failed in every point, and at every turn. Judges,
uries, editors inancers, counsel, and all who have
mixed in the fray have only lost ground, and made
themselves obnoxious or ridiculous to the whole
country around. 1t is time TO begin reform. There
Is use in prosecuting us any longer. We know
our rlghs-our power-our positon-our age--and
we defy their whole forces TO get the windward of
rs. We are sustained by honesty-good intentions
- pure chamberlain unsulied reputation-con-
scious rectitude of the highest order and spirit
based on good purposes, that never quailed before
the face of mortal man.
Colonel Stone and all his conferrs may, therefore,
as well return TO the principles of good sense. We
have no bad feelings TO ndulge--no revenge to gra-
tiiy-no hostility TO exercise towards them We
want peace and mutual esteem but If they want to
continue the war, be it So
And damned be he who first cries Hold enough