The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-05-26
From the Boston Courier, Mag 4th.
THE PENALTIES OF GLIB-UPPED
LOYAL LEAGUEISM.

Fifty Dollars Damages for calling a MIN a
Traitor, and TTirty-fvs thousand Dollars
for preferrjng an UnfOundsd Formal .4c-
cusation Of Treason-.Nirabite Didu "A
Boston jury rejecting Great Moral ideas.
The newspapers throughout the country are
conveying the grateful tidings of the important
verdict rendered in the Supreme Court, last
Friday, in the case of Sturtevant VS.. Allen.
Some of cur distant western cotemporaries, we
perceive, are already commenting upon it with
appreciation, and In some cases with surprise,
that such verdict could have been agreed up
on in Massachusetts-in Boston, during times
like these. In this respect, we cannot but think
it is a peculiarly happy circumstance, as show
ing that, even IN day OF extraordinary po-
htical excitement, jury Of our citizens, COM
posed of men opposed in politics, could disre-
gard altogether party relations, in obedience to
the superior demands of justice and the claims
Of law. Certainly, these gentlemen deserve
the highest c0mmendation of their fallow-citi-
zens for such conscientious discharge of their
duty.-Doubtless, they were much assisted in
coming TO just conclusions by the impartial in
structlon of the able and learned court while
judcious listeners to the argument of plaintiffs
counsel declare, that for irresistible reasoning,
apt illustrations and touching appeals, Mr..
Sohier's address to the jury has not often been
equaled. While few who heard or read the
testimony in the case could hesitate as to the
rightfulness Of the plaintiffs claim, there were
many who doubted whether really substantial
damages would be awarded, even if the jury, in
times like these, could be induced to agree.
1t is understood however, there was no essen
ol ,1i44crarra hc4,uaan ihnp, rysaa%
wrong has thus found prompt remedy, at the
hands of justice; and there can be 70 doubt
! that the decision will rebound very much to the
credit of this community, throughout the coun-
! try. The jury also wisely Disseminated, as it
/ seems to US, in the different measure of DANA
/ ges settled upon for several counts in the writ.
For calling the plaintiff ''a traitor" they as
sessed damages only in the sum Of fifty dollars;
while ior preferring a formal accusation against
! him to the same effect, in consequence of which
| he was arrested and subjected to Imprisonment
affecting his reputation, his feelings, and his
health they gave him thirty-two thousand FIVE
hundred dollars, sum certainly not niggard,
/ though 40 amount of money could repair the
whole damage done. In the first respect they
may have thought that the opprobrons term IN
| question had been so carelessly, as we'll as too
often matlclously, applied II party heat, to men
Of the highest character for patriotism and in
tegrity-formerly, for example toso pure man
as Gen. Mcclellan, and more recently 10 an Of.
fcer SO distinguished as Gen. Sherman---that it
had lost much of its injurious force; and q
slight muIct in damages, therefore, would be
sufficient reminder to the defendant and others,
that they could not thus trife with the reputa-
ton Of their neighbors. The other count was
based upon more serious considerations; and to
this the jury applied the smart money which
they deemed the propriety of the case required.
The Influence of this verdict in indicating
the supremacy of the law, and in checking not
only slanderous imputations but outrages of
every kind resulting from political antagonism,
win be widely felt, and the example has already
been most salutary. When men become sensi-
bic that, sooner or later, they will be called up
on to pay in damages for unjust accusations
and violent proceedings, and that they cannot
escape such consequences, whenever she law re-
sumes its rightful dominion, they will pause.
We are glad TO observe the attention which the
case has excited elsewhere; and could wish that
full report of the trial might be published
and widely circulated