The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-16


Mr.. Jordan and the Herald.
The readers Of this paper cannot have failed
to read with deep interest the speech recently
made by Mr.. Jordan, of the New York bar,
against James Gordon Bennett, in the Fry libel
case. There is a Paris lawyer-M. Leon Du-
val-who. when he prosecutes man for debt,
always begins by asserting that his father was
doubtful character Mr.. Jordan has read M.
Duval with profit. Vituperation and abuse
can hardly go further than they went in his
speech. Webster contains no foul epithet which
he did not find occasion to apply to us. BE
was convinced that privately and publicly our
character was atrocious-that we had induced
the commission Of every crime-that we had
demoralized society-in two words, that we
were fiend" and demon" By way Of
qualification to all this he admitted that
within the last few years we had vastly i'm
proved, and were neither as demoniac nor as
fendish as formerly, though still very shock
ing character
on reading this we could not help inquiring Of
ourselves-f he calls us o demon and
"fiend.r after our admitted Improvement, what
would he have said had he been compelled to
speak of us before that providential change in
our character? If the mere memory of our abo-
minable wickedness bids him style us "fend"
and demon" to-day, what terms could this
honest advocate have found to characterize it
with sufficient strength at the time it was daily
manifest some years ago!
This pregnant query dwelling upon our mind,
we bethought ourselves that in the very midst
of the period to which he alludes as that Of our
'infamy," Mr.. Jordan had had occasion to speak
Of us in public, and with fear and trembling we
turned to the record. The public will realize
the feelings with which we read the following
From the New York Herald Feb. 8, 1s4s
EXTRACT FROM Mr.. JORDAN's SPEECH IN THE CASE
OF DEY Vs. BENNETT.
As to the idea Of Mr.. Bennett extorting money
from Mr.. Dey-Good God IL should think that
would be the very last thing man would think Of
" blackmail,' and all that; but believe it Is now
pretty generally known that all this prejudice org
mated with editors and others, who had been envous
of that prosperity and success which Mr.. Benefits
enterprise, industry and ability have secured. Mr.
Bennett may have his imperfections That he has
enemies we all know. But he is now before you as
jury, and he is to be tried rs any other individual
libel on Anthony Dey, and nothing else. Irreapec-
tive Of the wishes of his friends or enemies let Mr.
Bennett be fairly tried for the alleged offence and for
1t alone We shall see whether he has done anything
more than what any other editor could have done
without being noticed, at least 80 far judicial in
vestgati0n is concerned.
From the New York Herald, Feb. 10, 1891
Mr. JORDAN IN THE SANE CASE IN SUMMING UP TO
THE JURY.
am aware that there are class Of individuals in
this community who think that James Gordon Ben
nett ought to be punished on every ccasion. There
ordinary purify and virtue, like Anthony Dey, the
prosecutor in this case, that think James Gordon
Bennett cannot be punished amiss; and that if
he were indicted for burglary he ought to be pun
him. In their opinion, no matter vita what crime
he is charged he ought to be punished for the good
of his soul hereafter. Naughter) Now have to
assure you that my client has no more taste for
have bis merits his faults overhauled, than any
one of you. Iknow Mr.. Bennett personally. I,oas
fanghtto beliere, as suppose Mr. Deg ,Oas taught
to bettece, that Mr. Bennett tcas perfect savage.
IerpecIed to meet Tiger. had no idea that man
rho uas sd much spoke. against could be human:
Bur found HIM a retiring. modest sensible, and
gesHsmaniy man. All that we have now to do is
10 try James Gordon Bennett for this alleged libel
sf ainst Anthony Dey. You are not to turn censors
II the puoc press in general YOu are not to point
ut by your verdict that man who edits ne xspa.
per must pursue just such q particular course, and
no other, on pain Of being indicted, dragged before
the judicial tribunals Of his country, and there pun
shed for transgressing the prescribed limits II
would be an outrage on common sense, on all atc,
- Gecency, on y0ur feelings and integrity, u the
District Attorney, any else, should hare the
ard,hood to call you TO cosUict this defendant
Or any etnce ercept that charged in The in tictnen.
What a pity it is that Mr.. Jordan did not
read his old speech over before he made his
last.