The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-20

for several days of last week in the investigation
o. libel suit brought against Mr.. Webb, of the
Courier and Enquirer, by Mr.. Bacon, literary
gentleman, and formerly employed on the Cou-
rier and Enquirer, as one ofits editors. After q
long and frivilous Investigation, and several fri
volous speeches on both sides OF the question, the
jury came TO a frivolous determination, which
was, no verdict at all. They disagreed as to the
amount of damages to be awarded, and separated
without coming to decision.
This libel suit has some peculiar features, bear
ing on editors and the public, which deserve a
few remarks, by way of explanation.
1t seems that a few years ago, Mr.. Bacon ex-
hibited some talent as a letter writer from Wash
ington Mr.. Webb wanting some assistance in
the editorial department of his paper, and finding
that gentleman without engagement, agreed
| to give him one, on such terms as both approved
Of Mr.. Bacon accordingly commenced his
work as one of the editors of the Courier and
Enquirer, but did not long continue at it, in con-
sequence of some difference of opinion, or change
| in the policy of the Courier and Enquirer.
Soon after the separation, Mr. Bacon became a
contributor to a magazine, in which he wrote
| some very powerful articles, and in which GER
tam portions of the wing party were arraigned
| for certain sins, then and there enumerated.
These articles produced great deal of attention
among politicians, and accordingly the Courier
and Enquirer, being then one of the organs Of
the organs of the wing party, made some CON-
ments on them, coupled with some injurious
aud offensive words were directed to Mr..
Bacon. Mr.. Bacon Immediately took issue,
and commenced libel SUIT against Mr.. Webb;
while Webb, by way of "countercheck quarrel
| some," also commenced one against Mr.. Bacon.
Some time ago Webb's libel suit was tried, and
decided in his favor, and the jury gave him
damages to the extraordinary amount OF SIX cents
and one quarter; just enough to buy segar, and
no more. Mr. Bacon's libel suit was not tried
till last week, and the result seems to be even
less than that of the other, which was nothing
at all. BY the decision of the jury, the amount
of damage which Mr.. Webb did to Mr.. Bacon
was nothing, and that Mr.. Bacon did to Mr..
Webb was equal to six and quarter cents.
Such is thelissue of those suits, which have
agtated certain parties for several years past.
1t is a perfect example of much ado about moth
ing.
We have word to say on those libel suits
There is not one editor out of hundred, in this
city or country, who, when he is led into the
not willingly make every correction, on quiet
and gentlemanly application being made by the
person libelled 1t is not the business of newspa-
per editors, propretors, to perpetrate llbels.-
There may be outbursts of passion, now and
again, among politicians; but publishers have
other matters to attend to than that of perpetrat
ing libels, for the sake of libel. Then, again,
there are but few persons in private life who,
if they should happen to be reflected upon I'M
properly, in public journal, would not be per-
fectly salts SIZED with correction by the editor;
but the truth is libel suits are commenced and car
ried on most generally to acquire notoriety by
association with the person prosecuted. We
do not suppose that, in the case OF Mr.. Bacon,
he carnd anything about the amount of money
which the jury might award him as damages;
probably his object was more to place himself
| right before the community-and this could be
done by publicly prosecuting Mr.. Webb-and
probably acquiring little notoriety in the prose-
cution.
Again. great many lawyers advise individu-
ais that they are libelled, when such intimation
was the first they knew of it, and advise them
likewise to commence libel suits, and prosecute
the editor for the purpose of having themselves
reported, and of acquiring little notoriety and
publicity through the very journals owned by the
persons prosecuted. On many occasions, suits
growing out Of the most trivial accidents, or
omissions, of reporters and others, have been
commenced against us, and carried on, for the
special purpose ard motive merely of gratifying
an inordinate vanity and desire for notoriety in
the lawyers who commenced them. Many OF
those lawyers would willingly and gratuitously
| conduct those libel suits against the editor oil
the Herald, very frivolous pretexts, merely for
the sake of the publicity which such suits would
give them and under the expectation that they
would be opposed and reported, and noticed in
the columns of this paper, and thus save the ex.
penses of advertising.
With this view Of libel suits, we think it would
be well in proprietors and conductors of news
papers, to take such measures as would prevent
the gratifcation.of such purposes in those who
bring libel suits, and in the lawyers who conduct
them. AS far as we are concerned, we are de-
termined to carry this principle into execution
If any individual should happen to have anything
injurious said of him in this paper, we shall al
ways be ready and willing to do him ample JUS
tice, and make the amende honorable, on his appli
cation for it; but if they think to acquire notore
ty by bringing libel suits against u.s. or if under
the advice of lawyers who have similar purposes
in view, they imagine they can provoke us to
oppose, report and notice them in the columns OF
the Herald, they will find themselves much mis-.
taken. We have determined, and will carry il
into execution, that the names of all those
lawyers and their clients, who bring actions
of libel against us in the way pointed
out, we shall take care that shall never
appear in our paper in any shape or form,
no matter what rank or caste they may
have. If they arc public men or private men,
or politicians, or candidates for office, we
shall treat them in the same manner; and if Mr.
! Webb, and all other conductors and proprietors o
newspapers, while exhibiting perfect willing
ness to do justice to all who are misrepresentet
or injured by them, would follow the same prac
| fice IVA would ave fewer and hear Less of tho