Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-11-21


who has recently become notorious as
a pimp Of the lowest order, has institu-
ted suits for libel against some Of the
leading journals of New York. Mr..
Edward L. Hcarne, . pcttifogging At
torney who acted a. go-between and
. pander for Furniss, has in itated the
example of his employer; both gentle
men are in search ola character. These
fellows claim that they have been dam
to an illimitsble extent by the publica-
ton Of certain proceedings lately had
in . Court Of Justice. That both are
guilty Of what was laid to their charge,
NO one familiar with the facts will deny,
but they presume on the fact that the
law imposes upon the defendant the
burden Of substantiating the allegations
Of the alleged libel. They rely upon
their having so covered up their wick
edness, that the press will find it i'm
possible to procure testimony Of their
misdeeds. Furniss and Hearne are
exceedingly annoyed by the exposure
Of the means they used to extort mon
ey from their unfortunate victim, but
we doubt If they are at all penitent.
Indeed we believe that if similar op-
portunlty were presented, they would
not hesitate to repeat their attempt to
plumber. We do not remember in the
aunsls Of New York life, fruitful as that
life is of incidents disgraccful to hui
man nature, history Of greater mean
ness or more revolving profigacy, than
the Furniss and Woodman case furnish
cd; and yet the actors in that disgusting
drama approach the bar with an air
Of injured innocence and demand dam.
ages for injuries TO their character
injuries consisting of the mere publica-
ton Of their manoeuvers and COM
ments on the motives which prompted
them by such modest, high toned
and deserving gentry, it is the fate Of
the press to be assailcd!
Now, it is not only unpardonably
impudent for such persons as Furniss
and Hearne to sue newspaper for
libel, but it is an act Of folly which such
accomplished. .scoundrels ought to be
ashamed Of. The day has gone by
when juries can be bullied by Judge
or cajoled by an advocate into finding
verdicts against Editors which never
would be rendered against men in 9th
er occupations. The action of various
legislatures, and the progress of the
Courts are doing much to place the
press in proper position; and when a
journalist is punished by verdict for
faithful report of a trial and legiti-
mate comments thereon, the influence
OF Mr.. Furniss will be greater than rea-
son, precedent and justice combined.
We are far from defending licentious
press, nor do demand for ourselves or
for Others any immunity from merit
ed punishment, but we do claim the ut
most freedom of discussion not only of
public men, but OF men before the public
compatible with the rights OF indi-
viduals. The newspaper has become
the companion Of the fircside, the friend
whose visits are always welcome; the
popular heart warns towards it,andany
attempt to abridgc it sprivileges would
be met as an assault upon the liberties
Of the people. Mr.: Furniss will not
prosecute his suits to trial, nor yet will
any journal demean itself by buying
him Oft. When the first flush of spite
At the defeat of his knavery passes
away, he will realize that he has enter
cd on . wilder enterprise than the
Quixotic tilt against the Windmill. He
will withdraw his action, and retire
from public scrutiny and public con-
tempt wiser, if not more honest
man.
8Iflhnm YOnnR And thu nGnprnnna