The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-16
THE OPERA CASE,
Opinions OF tho Organs or the CodlHsh Aris-
tocracy.
from the New York Times, Dee. 1871

Opinions OF tho Organs or the CodlHsh Aris-
tocracy.
From the New York Times, Dee. 1871
TIE OPERA LIBEL sUIr-rHE VERDICT AGAINST THE
HERALD.
me libel suit against the hsID growing out of its
attacks upon the OF ls4S was closed
yesterday BY verdict Of ten thousand dollars damages
and costs against the proprietor of the HERALD and In
favor OF Mr. Fry. la another part Of this mornings
paper viii be found the closing portions of Mr.
argument for the plaintiff and the whole Of Judge Oak
This very heavy verd.ct-one not to be justified
except by the fact that the HERADs attacks upon the
opera were syste site unprncpled and In steady pug
susnce Of deliberate purpose to break 10 and to in
voiye its manager In runous pscu MARY loss. II sush
purpose existed and acted on by that or any other
lswsssler no verdict Of = jury could punish 1t too
severely fer the capable Of forming and carrying
1t into execution lacks only temptation and the assur
nce Of IMMUNITY to tnrn highway robber, and becomes
dangerous just In proportion to the circulation and inu
ence Of the journal der his control An opera like
any other appeal to public favor 10 justly subsc to fair
criticism guided and controlled By regard for the pub
lie geod but systematic attack upon its Management
aiming TO tnpoverish and ruin the ger and prose-
cuted in utter esgard of justice and Of truth is Ger.
fanny one OF the highest offences against society which
any member of it can commit For one m ~ thus
be assaied in his business by his enemy may another
an0 newspaper becomes only the most powerful wea-
pom welded BY the basest the purposes.
Ihs public press would thus become public CURSE
dreadful In proportion to its power and holding every
prncpiec rufans who might secure it's direction No
just theory of free discussion possibly permit to the
1t is very clear from the verdict rendered that tho
jury believed that the HERALD has been guilty Of Just
such deliberate Systematic relentless attack upon
personal and pecuniary interests of Mr. Fry this 1t
was proved that being solicited to the proprietor
of'he HERALD and influence in favor the ope
II M Fry had said that he had nothing say to Mr. Ben
Lett-thst he would have nothing to do with him. aud
that neither him his printiog advertised
In his paper 1t was ALEC proved that when this reply
was reported to him. Mr.. Ben nett remarked that he
would "soon finish Mr.. Fry;"-and the whole subse
quent course Of the HERALD towards Mr. Fry and his
management of the opera in pursuance Of pur
pose announced in this preliminary threat, Me- Fl;
vas PERSONAL; rdiculed aud abused his engagement
OF artists and Assignment of their parts dsneunced
wss relied to foment quarres among the members Of
Dis conpany;-and.. nothing was left undone BY the
HERALD which could heap contempt upon the opers.
and deprive it of all claims on the public respect and
support No one who receects the course of the HER
AID at that time who has read carefully the yolun
nous testimony given during this trial can SERIOUSLY
doubt that Bennett had deliberately determined ruin
MT Fry in his enterprise and that the whole power Of
his paper was remorsely used to effect that end
This verdict will probably teach the editor Of the HER.
AID valuable and much neaded lesson in regard to the
legitimate objects OF the press II is very singular that
the lesson has been long deferred Nothing is more
remarkable than the impunty with which the HERALD
has been permitted for nearly ty years. to bscksn
the character to destroy the credit and to tyrannze
with interruptions despotism all the interests OF
every individual and every institution which happened
to incur the snmty Of its proprietor Its career has been
standing disgrace as well standing curse to the
community ~ which 1t has been sustained Its editor
viii meet with no sympathy In his pr sent mishsp for
he has deliberately cut himself of from all respect and
al kindly regard by the inhumsn shamelessness With
private feelings to the gr. doaon Of his avaroe The
wealth he has amassed will render easy the payu MT Of
the penalty imposed. But lie will probably be more
careful hereafter In his treatment Of private interests
and personal oh araoter for parties who may become
his vic ims after this example, will be very likely %
avail themselves Of 1t in seeking redress.