New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-28

prietor. But Mr.. Waddy should have remembered
that "hard cases make bad law" dictum as true
in Parliament as on the Bench. Dr. kencaly was so
ill-advised as to intervene in the debate, and 10
attempt some sort of defense of his paper, me
En0lishmdn, which admits Of no defense. Inc
House stOrmed at him. Irritated by the ironicai
cheers which greeted his remark that he was no
advocate for libel, he turned upon Mr.. SULLIVAN
formerly the owner and editor of The Nation, pub
lshed in Ireland, saying Had been slave.
coward, liar, or one ready to justify fasehood
should not be in my present position but can bear
with the greatest philosophy the ironical cheers
from that miserable quarter" Mr. Sullivan. bril-
liant writer and not less brilliant speaker, has
proved his courage and sincerity to the extent OF
going to prison for his opinions, that DIR. Kenealy
made bad choice OF target for abuse and he soon
had reason to repent it. Mr.. Sullivan at once.
He objected to this BILL he said, because it was
avowedly leveled at the one disgraceful exception
to the splendid character of the Press of this
country. Then he went on:
With exception. the journalists Of this country
when challenged TO account for the contents OF thcr
and once only. in bis memory had man processing TO
own newspaper shown himself to be slave ana
might about his responsibility he had reg,
stered himself as the proprietor pu0hShSSs e ann. aa
had to bear the pains and penalties OF pup;
lshing matters which he had never seen until
his family connected with him in bringing ont his
publications, aud If he had been coward and libeler
sullivan" in order BY that mean ana deSPeaie h sub
G'n IN lis HOnsss A Cheer
journalists knew OF only one such coward who
nnd y to be en man SG
about the liberty OF the press. He could imagine
ranDica and corrupt assembly until he found seat IN
it, He could imagine man being sucn mean ana de-
by in his publications. yet when he came into that
House he might then talk OF 1t as an honorable as,
for bill which aimed, the high and hon
orabe members of that assembly, bat at tho ono cow
ardly excresence OF Journalism III England
That is very strong language, indeed, for the
House. Everybody knew it meant Kenealy. but Mr..
Sullivan did not name him, and he did not at the
moment choose to fit the cap on his own head After
ward in the lobby he went up to Mr.. Sullivan and
called HIM liar. There was immense excitement.
Mr. Sullivan returned to the House and stated what
had occurred, remarking that if the thing had been
said to him elsewhere by Dr. Kcnealy he should
have taken notice of it, but he had been advised
that the privileges of the House ought to be main
tanned The Speaker approved but since the out
rage had occurred in the lobby, left it to the House
to say what should be DONE On Mr.. Forsers mo
ton, sanctioned by Lord Harrington one side and
Mr. Cross the only Minister present, on the other,
the House. which was very full, ordered DIR. Kenealy
to Withdraw the phrase and apologize, which he did.
THIS establishes "a precedent, heretofore wanting.
and the rule henceforth is that member of the
House must not be addressed in unparliamentary
anmage in the lobby any more than in the House
itself. In the course of another 200 years the rule
may be extended to include the Library and per-
haps Palace Yard, and the precincts of ST. Stephens
generally. Meantime, the needed amendments to
the law of libel seem in danger of being forgotten
q. W. s.