New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-12

The HeraH admOnishes THE TRIBUNE against
commencing suits for libel. We beg leave to re-
mind our neigbbor that, while we have never seen
fit 10 base suit upon any Of the abusive and un-
true assaults which we in other days endured at bis
hands, he, on the contrary, once commenced hoel-
suit against US, based not on anything we had said
or written, but on the fact that We allowed man
who had been harshly and persistently assailed BY
The Herald to strike back, over his own proper
signature, through our columns. Does not The
Herald On reflection, consider this sueing u.s. on
account of it's qua1els with third party, rather
shabby butiress'
The Herald is right on the general principle.
Sueipg for libel is poor business. We have very
r,Iely been driven TO try it, Our rule is to let any.
body call us hard names-nO matter hon hard-with
jmpunity; but when an accuser says: " Sir on such
"a day. in such place, you did dishonest, i'm
"moral, unjust act'-and we know there is not one
word of truth in the charge-we will endeavor to
learn by what peruy or artful collOcation Of half
truths so as to give completely false impression
our sccuser will attempt to justify his charge, or by
what legal dodge or bubble he will evade the
responsibility Of maintaining it.
In the present instance, we are impelled to dec-
rive steps by superadded considerations. For
months past, it has appeared plain to US that the
active enemies of the Republican cause are con-
spring to work its overthrow by blackeniDg the
reputation Of its more conspicuous champions. On
this principle, Col. Fremont was systematically
trsduced throughout the late canvass. 1t was not
deemed sufficient to pronounce him inexperienced,
uIqual fed, no statesman, disunionlst, &c
but he was from day to day denounced ara low ad-
yeIturer pecalator, and swindler-a man filter for
the PenitentiAry than the White House. For
all this beastly abuse, there was neither
ground nor provocaton. The Republican journals
opposed the election Of Messr. Buchanan
and Fillmore because Of the principles where
of they stood respectively the champions, and
especially because Of their common principe Of pro-
ftssed National Indifference to, but Gas we think)
practical connivance at, the Extension Of Slavery.
On this ground, for the reasons thence resulting,
We urged the election Of Col Fremont over the
rival candidates. But we never assailed the per-
,cnal reputation Of hose rival candidates, nor held
them up as dshonored dscreditable persons who, as
men and citizens, were unworthy Of support We
fought our battle on the grea. public issue and not
On the private character Of our leading antagonists
We even declined to print Francis p. Bair's able
and cosent ex positions Of Mr.. BuchAnans past rela-
tions with Gen. jackson and Mr.. Clay respectively,
because, while We believed them essentially true, We
thought them calculated to withdraw attention from
the great issue of to day And there lives not We are
confident, the Editor OF q Buchanan or Fillmore
journal who can truthfully say that his personal
character has been assailed BY THE TRIBUNE.
On the other hand, We saw it widely and con-
fdently proclaimed, very early in the canvass, that
The Republicans were squandering, plundering
gong, who would bar krupt the Treasury if intrusted
with the Goverument-thst their leaders had been
bought to support Fremont BY slices Of the Mar
posa estate-snd at length il WAS distinctly pro-
claimed, in several active and noisy Buchanan jour
pals, that the conductors Of The TRIBUNE were
among the recipients Of these wages Of shame.
How are we to treat sach preposterous fabrica-
tons : With the silence Of disdain , This We
have usually done; Jet We are satisfied that this
will not always answer. 1t is easy to say that no
sensible person believes tuch nonsensica caumnies;
but they are not invented for effect upon men Of
sense and intelligence. They are q part Of the
regular msehirery by which the ears Of prejudiced
and upinte Igent partisans, especially those to
whose minds knavery il familiar idea, are stopped
and barricsded against the entrance Of political
truth-.gainss the chance Of conviction. To every
demonstration that their accustomed leaders have
left the paths wherein their fathers tired and are
eading them down the rsEes Of National dshonor
and rcnP there is oPPo:td The assertion tdAs tho
eafe. of he Other p'rty sire az chest, md 'ccVn,