The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-27
Willis and Forrest---Legal Proceedings.

We have already stated, among our law
intelligence, that Mr.. Willis had COM
menced legal proceedings against Mr.. For
rest, for the assault committed by the latter
on the former, in Washington Square, on
Monday last, in which the damages are set
down at ten thousand dollars, or some other
nominal sum between that and million.
Some limitations were held out from some
quarters, based principally on the remarks
Of Mr.. Willis before the police, that duel
might grow out of the affair, or at least
journey to Canada, for some such bellige-
rent purpose. We perceive, however, that
the fashion has changed within the last
twenty years, very considerably, in New
York, and that men Of fashion do not now
think Of fighting with pistols when they can
make war against each other with pettifog-
gers. Well, it is perhaps as good course
to take as any other.
AS far as Mr.. Forrest is concerned, we
believe he received the limitations of such
suit being commenced against him, with
feelings Of great delight and satisfaction,
On the trial, the unfortunate arti.t will have
an opportunity Of bringing forward all the
evidence in reference to the unhappy diff
.culties which caused him to proceed to the
extremity which he did in Washington
Square--an extremity which we by no
means justify-which was contrary to law,
and cannot be approved of, whatever may
be its terrible aggravation, or the agonizing
feeling which caused him to adopt such
course. Indeed, this affair between Forrest
and the coterie Of male dandies who were
around Mrs. Forrest while he was on pro-
fessional journeys, will be brought forward,
and the whole evidence given to the world,
from the beginning to the end--from alpha
to omega. Only portion, and small por-
ton, Of the evidence has yet appeared in
the public journals--that which was given
to the Legislature of Pennsylvania. Since
that time, new, stronger, more powerful,
more startling evidence, of remarkable
character, has voluntarily come forth and
been furnished to Mr.. Forrest, with addi-
tional facts, which will, when placed be-
fore this or any other community, tend to
set the matter in a most important light rela-
tive to him as an injured man, and the fash
ionable scoundrels who tresspassed on his
grounds, his home, and his house during his
periods OF absence.
This is, indeed, lamentable and mel
ancholly affair. Wemean not to say single
word calculated to do in Justice to any one We
have seen much, and read much, end heard
much, and we have reason to believe that
some Of the most astounding revelations will
yet come on this community, like a thunder
clap, for which few will be prepared, and
which few will be able to resist. The spoil
ers Of Edwin Forests happiness have been
a clique Of personages who ought to %
secuted, cut, denounced, and turned out Of
decent society in Christian and moral COM
munity. We have had too much Of these
foreign immoralities, under the name Of
fashion, introduced into our simple social sys-
tenn on this continent, and It is time for an
independent and moral public opinion, sus-
tanned by the press, to take groud against
any further introduction Of fashionable, po-
litcal, or philosophical socialism, from any
part Of the Old World,