The New York herald., 1864-12-14
the GREAT LIBEL SUIT.
6tukGt UPUIkE vs.. IHURlUW WEtu.
~ * ~~~S~>-sS~ Ns ~
The Most Interesting Trial OF
the Day.. W nv
The Inside Of the Republican Party
to bs Turned outside.
All Sorts Of Curieus and Rich DeYolop-
ments to be Mads. -
sKETCHEs OF THB PERSONS PRBSENY,

SKETCHkS UF THb PEkS0NS yfKESENT, /
Supreme Court-Cirouit.
Before Judge Mson.
Duo 1S.-Gsoroe Opdyke Thu~Iow Wxd-The
tria Of this interesting cause commenced TO-
day. Tho court room was crowded TO It's VI.
most capacity, and the most intense anxiety
was manifested Ia tho proceedings. Among the
distinguished persons present noticed John c. Ere
mont, Rufus r. Andrews and Comptroller Brennan.
number OF the eminent Of the bar, including
A. OAkey Hall, William N. Evarts, David Dudley Field
and Others also in attendance also politicians OF
from all sections Of the Sass among whom might
msstio Owen W. Brennan Erastus G. Benedict, Jacob
sharp Richard Busteed Jas B. Taylor, Sheridan Shook
Hiram Barney and Elijah r. Purdy. Annexed is short
sketch e OF the principal persons present who
seemed 70 be particularly interested in the result Of the
trial.
Ex-MAYoR oYDYKE.
ExM Mayor Opdyke, the plaintiff in the case, occupied
position beside his COUNSEL and had numerous private
interviews with his friends In the audience who seemed
be deeply interested in the result of the trial. While
Judge Emo reading the article In which the alleged
libel contained and particularly that portion OF 1t re-
latng the shoddy blankets the audience were moved
laughter in which Mr. Opdyke joined most heartily
The gun contract held by Mr. Opdykes son in law when
that matter referred to. also cause Of merri
ment among the spectators and the only individual pre-
sent who seemed to resist the effects OF the facetious
remarks made by the spectators Lord Tnurow, who
sat as unmoycd as bis Henor Judge Mason who presided
the bench
rHURLow WEED.
Mr. Weed, who Is the defendant in this case s wen
Of the oldest aud most successful republ
can politicians in the country hs published .or % great
and addition TO his editorial duties he generally FOUND
tmo enough TO devote TO the interests o his party But
ADding the sphere OF his political usefulness to be con-
sideraby enlarged by tho immense patronage OF the
government consequent upon state OF war, ne relio-
Qushed position supposed proprietor and pub
Usher OF Journal the congenia pro-
fesson Of becoming political "WarWick' to the Seward
Convention renomiDated M Lincoln, Thurlow showed
sigma OF characterization, aud even went 30 far as
70 lend his unofficial sanction to counter for
nomination another candidate. lie soon however,
changed his base and became an ardent supporter Mr.
Lincoln He the recognized political head OF the
Seward faction In this State at the last eecton and
when the Presidential campaign was commenced he hired
suit OF rooms at tho Astor House, adjoining those
occupied by the Republican State Committee and per.
sonay superntended the afairs Of that body. He IS
said TO have given credentials 70 the various stomp
speakers, ana TO huve directed the numerous corls
OF clerks and amanuenses employed 10 C. nauct
the official correspondence of the committee we need
not 80 into further details concerning tne NE on
quire NJ our hands any further elucidation de was
present In court aud gave his lawyer Dir Evars some
assistance IN suggesting questions to he wituessos ao
seemed 10 Oe PERFECTLY sepossessed during the opening
argument Of Judge Enott.
4g RUFUS r.. ANDREWS
Ex-Surveyor Andrews was 10 court, and manifested
great deal OF interest in tho progress the trial. Inc
quarrel about Andrews grew Out OF INC rivalry oe'weea
Draper and barking factions 10 relation TO the man
agement OF ths party machinery 10 this CITY, Mr. Chase
desired the nomination for President. and the barney
Andrews interest, with tho patronage Of the Custom
House. was enlisted in favor, but Thurow Weed who,
1t is said. was empowered to superintend the orsaolzs
tion Another party under the erection OF Seward,
selected the leader OF that Simeon Draper Hope
Chapel secured BY the latter ORGANIZATION and the
third street and Broadway The campaign was
conducted o,s with great deal o. bitterness @ ss %s
foot down, and Chase removed from the Treasury
Department. Barney and Andrews soon followed, aud
were superseded by Simeon Draper and Postmaster
Wskeman This was complete victory tor the Seward
party and OF course hurow considered himself complete
iul political fellow ship with friends, and his
appointment toina scat the Supreme Court bench, II
tho differences existing between the contendng re.
publican factions but u seems that the feud
still exists and war to the knife has been declared
lhe letter OF Mr.. Andrews, whichthas lately been pub
sneo, charging Mr. Weed with conspiring against him
for the purpose of destroying his political prestige with
the administration the keynote Tor general assault
against the venerable chief of the lobby VINO looked
upon as the great autocrat OF the republican party
defence was the opposing candidate Mr. Chase for the
position o. Justice OF the Court which rather
singular coincidence IN the prosecution Of this rather
singular case.
HIRAM BARNEY.
Ex.Collector Hiram Barney present, and paid con-
ipgs. He said TO be very hostile TO the Seward party
and Joins the general war against Mr.. Weed Mr..
part Of Mr.. Lincons first term but after Mr. Chases
removal from the Cabinet be was snne,seaea q 6y MT
campaign have been duly appreciated
GENERAL BusThhD.
Richard Busteed Corporation Counsel, ex Brigadier
General and Judge OF the United states District
Court for tho Southern district OF Alabama, was present
In court OF the freuds OF the plaintiff He was
merely spectator, and lathougn strongly opposed to
o
proceedings. He occupied seat beside Mr.. Andrews,
on Counsel and when the court adjourned they left TO-
getber, accompanied by several politicians OF smaller
calo who expressed their deisnt at the prospect oi
"gettng square" with the great MoRul who has played
such terrible havoc among the former recipients OF Gus
tom House svora
In tact the voters OUT nearly a the wre puliers
Of eoth actions we're there in force The case wi pro
est seems to be manifested In the result.
EMPANNELIS0 TIE JURY.
Mr. Oodyke was early In attendance, and arrived In
Emou and William Y. Opdyke The eIsndant, MIR.
Weed did not arrive until the calendar was called He
took seat beside bis counsel. William N. Evarts ex.
Judge Pnrrcpont and r. NJ. Batchord, and looked re.
markedly WELL The calendar having been disposed Of,
che Court inquired the counsel ready TO proceed
Mr.. Evsru-I suppose we shall be ready 20 proceed
with the trial. have long list OF Witnesses. and can
For such OF the witnesses are absent shall
move for attachment
Judge M'son-wsl, enter then ;hsm all i In n one order.
MT Evarts-This Is suit FOR libel Mr.. Cornell do you
know anything about the case2 A. NO sir.
Q Formed no opinon2 A. No sir; know nothing about
II except what In the newspapers.
q DO you know either OF the parties. A. may have
seen Mr. 0pyke but beyond that have no acquaintance
with either Of them.
Mr. Evarta-we have no objection to the juror.
Cushing stated that he had heard OF the
before som ething about ~ In the newspapers had
formed opinion n regard to the matter; considered
himself impartial juror and fully competent TO render
true verdict according 70 the evidence Objection to
the Juror wIthtrawn)
Thomas Warren had not formed any opinion In regard
10 the case and could give impartial verdict 0bjec
tion withdrawn
Benjamin way knew nothing about the case, except
what be The newspapers, aud had formed opin
lon; knew neh,r of the parties objection Withdrawn
Thomas Wayne, Jr, had heard Of the case politically;
had formed opinion on this subject than be had
nm AMI mol tical mai