The New York herald., 1850-11-15
Public Opinion on the Recent Outragc Il,
broadway.

The Pubic Ledger, Of Philadelphia, thss COM
ments on the mfhsnly attack upon the editor Of
the Herald, of this cityi-
Un-civil war RACES among the editors and politi-
Clans of New York, and IN one OF its operations,
defeated candidate has assaulted an editor IN tas
street "The morals aud manners of New York
are descending to a low leyeIr' " Beautiful city!"
We do not interfere with the personal faults or
feelings in this affair, not being able TO gather from
the variety OF versions, the facts. We therefore
leave the editors and politicians OF the sister
city" 10 skin their own-squirrels, or any other
animals which they .may regard ss more chlrtc-
terlstic, and shall initiate the Western woman who
calmly behed a tight between her husband and
bear, not caring which whipped. But we have q
word TO say about the principles involved in con-
ueversieS and ccmeats between editors and poti-
clans
In oonsen,ing to be a candidate for office, a ct-
puts his character, public aud private, IN issue.
The voters have a right TO know whether he has
been fsitbless to any relation oi society, public
private for in public well private LIE, tho
dOciTIe Of The Bible Is conect-,hat, whoever
Is unfathfu over a few things, will not be
faithful over many This being admitted, any
body has right to tell whatever ne knows about
the candidale-wheiher for recommendation or
wsrniug And this Is the right Of everybody,
II " especially the right and also the duty, of the
press fr the press u, or ought to be-and IL
grossly fsiihless fwhere II j. noi-ihe guardian of
/ public morals, the teacher Of the ignorant the
ioua ain of light and truth. lts duties are those
| oi the schoolmasier nd the clergyman combined
those of instru citing the ntt CT aud en- tightening
| The conscience. But while any body has the right,
and the pre- - il under the duty TO enighteu voters
about candidates, each is responsible for perver-
zion Of this right duty Neither is allowed to
tell fasehood; and IL IL be told the sandered can
didste may sue the in iividual for sander, or tho
eoiior Tor libel, and ia New York. my also H. ave
the editor indicted for libel. In Pennsylvanis no
indictment for libel upon a candidate is legal;
| the constitution authorizing unlimited discussion
about candidates for office. Hence the only rene
| dy Of the candidate, when slandered, is a civA
| suit for damages.
Such being the rights and duties Of the Dress.
and the liabilities ana remedies Of candidates, tho
next question is how OF when ~ this night of the
Ptess abused Is II authorized 10 represent n can
didate as gambler, a drunkard, debauchee, a
stduccr, an adulterer, cheat, a liar, a de,.a-
gogue, traitor, an ider, associate Of bad men,
seeker Of Office for bad purposes, Ignorant, un-
skiiful in anything spPertaiuing to public dltyt
IL is, II the statement be true; and Il mAkea the
statement under peril Of suit and proseculion for
libel, II unable TO prove H. We may add that, II
the assertion can be proved, the psblisher 10 not
guilty Of sander or libel, however gross the style
| IN which IL is made; though he Is under the
/ highest moral obligation 70 prefer his charges
decorously, and proiessedIy for public good
| Such are the respective rights of the press and
| Of candidates. How far they have been violated
in the recent contest between a candid ate and an
editor Of New York, we do not undertake. 20 de-
| eide. But the assault, under any circumstances.
was breach OF law which the Grand Jury ought
TO indct. We repudiste the doctrine Of New York.
proclaimed many years ago, and practissd there
ever since That al Is lar IN poll,ics And We
during the recent election in that city, that cheat
ing the public in a coatract 10 no violation OF
honesty. Such doctrines will not suit the meridisn
| Of the Quakers here, The Puritans of New Eng
land, or the "chivelry" OF the South We con-
tend for honesty in relitics and decorum in poti-
cal discussion. Bst we also say that violation
Of truth or deceney in politics will excuse an as
sault and breach of the peace. Men must not take
the law into their own hands, and especially can
didstes for the administration Of the law Soma
Of the newspapers OF Now York justify, some ex-
cuse, and others condemn this assault But ali OF
them unite In saying that the asssilant was accom-
panied by two brothers and pugilist and some
Of them assert that the editors wife was present.
and thrown down In the scuffie, or fainied and
the rest admit that she near. II the wife were
present. or believed 10 be IN the vicinity the ssct ia
an enormous aEersvation of the offence one os
these newspapers tMordecsi Menassah Noah, oI
the Swndoy Tniesl assails the wife, by imputinQ
to hers penlcious influence over her husbend's &
newspaper. Whether thss charge be true or not
and we never believe any charge against a woman
I'LL II be proved rs prono~ncs this Seferercs 10 fhs
utfe an oufrogs ,chtch rothing erc,sss ~ pal
bate. gentleman, man of honor. viii neve
drag women before the public, even in praise
Pubcy asso,i,rg them is the last rssrf Of corarSs
AVID rasahty.
! The Governor Of Alabama has sppolnted the l7th
NJ ~