New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-06-15
Webb d. Bacon.

Webb Bacon.
We believe the verdict OF the Jury in this case has
given very general satisfaction in our Ciy-not that
The charge on which the action Of libel was based
was by any means made ont, or that |; is believed TO
have any foundation whatever. But the community
looks, las we presume the jury looked at the whole
difference between the parties, and approves such
verdict as they think strikes fair balance between
them. 1t :s considered that, as between these
partes Col. Webb Is the aggreesor having brought
the whole power Of his widely circulating journal 10
bear on Dr.. Bacon personally, imputing TO hn'
among other things. insanity as well as shameful In
gratitude. The excuse for this was an attack on
certain gentlemen Of our City sometimes spoken Of
in Political circles as Webster men, or warm and
leading personal friends of the great New Highlander
This original attack was In our judgment, entirely
unfounded, but it by no means justified the severe
personalities with which Col. Webb, taking up the
cuagels for the Webster men, repealed it. Dr.
Bacon rejoined with equal severity upon Colonel
Webb, and very naturally inquired how he. so
lately an opponent of Mr.. Webster, came 10 be the
special champion of tina, Statesman and his intimate
friends For this championship he alleged cause
which does not appear to have had any existence
except in his own suspcion-ihat Col Webb had
received pecuniary favors from those in whose be-
half he now nterfered furiously. On this Colonel
Webb sues for libel; the allegation fails to be sus
tanned; and the Jury say, CDR B. we find that you
have libeled the gallant Colonel you have made
hole in his character which nothing short OF York
six pence will cover; fork over the aforesaid and
heal his wounded honor "--And though his
Counsel ntimated that the DR.. is VERY oddly for
literary mani rather poor far as filthy lucre is con-
cerned, we do hope he will be able, tight as the
money market now is, to raise the funds and have
this wound stanched at once. We do not doubt
that the amount might be made up in penny sub
srr'rtio"a in Wall.street anv day Thar Stocks
doing we'll
And now may we no, hope that this will about
make finch of appeals from the Press to the Law
TO set ..uuvversy between me &, cir
living by quidrvng 1, is surely against p-ece-
dent and right reason to appeal from higher
tribunal to a lower; and the Press should be the
ultimate oonservator of Liberty and Justice. Col.
Webb was rather roughly handled by DR.. Bacon
In the controversy in question, bat he plunged into
II without cause and If he came out secondbest the
circumstance was by no means unusual with him.
Taking refuge In suit at law is poor way to seek
relief from the prick OF a sharp goose feather.
- In the course of this trial, we were called TO
the witness.sand, and were there informed by Mr..
]. P Hall, the plaintiff able and courteous coun-
eel that we are under suit from the Colonel for hav
ing said that Col. Webb had received certain
1900 improperly from the U. 6. Bank long time
ago. We had forgotten that we had been sued on
any such charge. supposng that the capins in Webb
vs. Greeley x McErath had reference 10 this Bacon
business, but of course it is SO. Now mast be.
lieve there is some mistake about ths for do not
think we ever charged Col. Webb with getting any
came out this 1000 was the aggregate of three
or four several loans, some Of which must have been
paid as others were obtained. We think all but
eco, 900 were paid when due, and that has perhaps
been paid before this time. We do not believe we
have ever expressed any opinion in our columns as
to the propriety improperly of these loans
though we may have done 50 in some forgotten con-
roversy.-After the result of this Bacon trial, we
think no one will accuse us OF apprehendins the re-
suit of libel sui, in the premises and if Mr.. Hall
will Just make out statement Of the facts respect
ms thoOe loans from the U, S. Bank TO Col. Webb
or Webb and Noah, showing how much was ever
borrowed. how much was repaid-as we hope it all
was-and If any part was paid otherwise than In
cash, ho,c paid--we will publish il conspcu-
ousy MIR. Halls simple statement will be ample
authority for us Then If he will point any thing
we have said inconsistent with such facts, we will
cheerfuly and thoroughly retract it-Would MT
this be better tEan atiict overloaded Courts.
ong.suffering suitors and unrighieously ilLused
Juries with weeks trial al law