The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-21

cordance with the freedom Of the press, as defined
by the constitution of this State, Judge Osksys is
than that Of Judge Campbell, pronounced a few
days since, in connection with the suit against the
Courier and Enquirer. The one is republican and
enlightened in its Characteristic other is exactly the
reverse-going back to the days of Jeffres and the
Star Chamber. The one is liberal in accord
ance with the spirit of the sge-the other is not.
The will suit this latitude-ihe otheri is English
and old, and musty at that.
We hardly believe that the Court of Appeals,
OF the people OF this State, prepared to
submit TO the principles laid down by Judge
Campbell IT, how ever, such is the law, we
hope that public opinion will be brought To bear
upon it, and that it will be changed as soon rs
possible. The freedom Of the press is OF ~
much consequence, and is OF as great beneEi
to the community, the administration of jas
tee. If the decision Of Judge Campbell should be
sustained by the higher courts, there will be no
freedom of the press, and the bene fcent influence
of that powerful instrument will be lost, for no
person will incur The risk of dozen or two libel
suits every day that lie issues his sheet.
There will, of curse, be end to publishing
the numerous cases Of crime, msdemeanor, inn
morality, and bad conduct which daily and
hourly come under the notice of our police
magistrates great power, therefore, in the
prevention Of crime and immortality will be rem
dered nugatory, and society be deprived of its
beneficial influences. There are thousands of per-
sons in our midst who are deferred from the COM
mission of crime, or the indulgence of their bad
passions, by the fear of publication in the news
papers The next morning, and by that alone. How
often do we see and hear of persons under ar
rest for crime or misconduct, give fictitious names
and residences, in order 10 prevent their recognition
by the public and how often not the police re-
porters tempted with brides TO withhold such publ
cations Withdraw, therefore, this powerful check,
upon crime and immortality, and there will soon be
more of both than the public have any conce pton Of
We venture to say that in high places, and among
certain class of our population, the fear of publ
city operates more powerfully in preventing crime
and vicious indulgence, than the risk of mourning
The penalty of the law. At this moment our courts
engaged in adjudicating upon case of divorce,
which is the topic of conversation throughout the
city. No one tell what the verdict of the jury
will be, but every journal which has published the
testimony of the case has, according to the prln-
cIple laid down by Judge Campbell, rendered itself
liable in damages 10 party or the other, the
verdict may be. But this enlarged publication of the
proceedings and the testimony, will operate in pre-
venting other of a similar character from oc-
curing, by which the peace of families will be pre-
served, and persons restrained from committing
crime.
We are very much inclined TO believe, however,
that Judge Oakley is nearer the mark than Judge
Campbell, and that the opinions of the former are
correct and legal. II is Of the greatest importance
10 the newspaper press that this matter should be
set at rest. Here we have one judge laying down
one principle as law, and another the reverse
What protection have the proprietors of newspa-
papers under such circumstancesl They do not
wish TO violate the law. II bad laws exist they
will use their influence TO have them repealed; and
we believe We express the opinion of the whole
community, when we say that the freedom of the
press must be maintained inviolate
The TAMMANY HAIL CoNoREss-In another |
part Of our broad sheet will be found report of the
proceedings Of the democratic convention at Tam
many Hall. These gentlemen, turning the night |
into day, and sitting till between one and two |
o'clock in the morning, no doubt imagine they are
very important individuals; setting forward their |
verbose reports, counter-reports addresses and re-
solutions in such pompous and grandiloquent phrase
as to make all sensible men in other parts Of the
Union, stare at those overgrown boys playing Con-
gress. But their proceedings would amount TO
very httle, even IL they unanimous The |
which control tn. mighty Questions at issue,
are operating elsewhere. The recent dinner To !
Mr.. Dickinson will help to sustain the Union, and
promote the compromise now pending in Congress.
The State Convention, got up at Albany, to be held
at Syracuse, in September, will hslp these objects
another peg. But the principal thing which is des-
tined 10 harmonic the discordant elements, and re-
move the distractions from the chariot wheels ofthe
Constitution, is the passage Of the Compromise bill
broughtinto the Senate by the Committee Of Thir-
teen, consisting Of Clay, Csss, and others, who
working and day for the existence the welfare
and the glory Of the republic. Their only oppo-
nents are the Galphn cabinet and their myrmdons,
who know that the triumph Of union aud compro- |
mise is the destruction Of faction and fanaticsm,
and the loss Of all that they hold dear. The true
patriots, who are ready at every sacrifice to carry
out the compromises Of the Constitution, and thus |
settle the vexed questions which are agitaing the
country from its centre 10 the two oceans, will soon
be in the asoendsnt-ihe two parties which have
hitherto fatiened upon the spos Of office will be
swallowed up like pair Of canvass back ducks, |
rich and racy from the wild celery Of their feeding
ground and a new pary-the national party, Of |
union and constitutional compromise-will be con-
stTuc;ed cut Of The fragments of the old, who have
preyed 20 long upon the viials Of the country that
they are now ready for the slaughter and the spit
The cooking operation will be highly amusing.
Our Ismmany Hall friends have shown symp-
toms recently Of being relisiously inclined, and we
dent think they can better their chances Of union
in any manner which will be 80 eifcciual as to Sc
lect Captain Rynders, or some other dcvoui mem
Der. TO rails his voice in the convention meetings.
and pray earnestly that the Compromise bill may
pass both houses. This is their only sure chance
ur union aud victory next fall Prayer, and no
thing but prayer.
CosmoporE STOCKTON AND AN ExrL.S.TIoS-A !
great many surmises and guesses have been started
about the recent resignation made by Commodore
Stockton, Of his position in the United States Navy.
The following letter, which we received yesterday
from the gallant Commodore, who, it appears, is /
l