The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-25
From The Philadelphia Bulletin, March 81.
The Divorce Cases.

We learn, from yesterdays proceedings in the
pennsylvania Legislature, that the Senate has re-
lected, by large majority, the application of Mr..
Middleton for divorce from his wife. Without
entering into the merits Of the in question: we
wil only say that we are surprised at this decsion
but we trust that the refusal of the Senate to enter
tain this application will warn others with similar
petitions TO avert a refusal by withdrawing.
On former occasion we denounced legislative
divorces, and we have seen no reason since TO alter
our opinions. The constitution of this State vests
In the courts OF law authority to grant divorces in
certain specified cases; and when the of divorce
comes within the jurisdiction of these courts, TO
them the adjudication should be left The poorest
man. In controversy with the richest has the pro-
lection OF the law, nor can verdict be rendered
against him until after full and fair trial; and
this right Of defence before an impartial jury he
possesses whether the matter in question is OF the
worth of dollar or of millions, whether the diff
Guilty affects his property, his character or his life
Ifaweathy citizen politician Of influence should
attempt to ruin poor man, by obtaining an act OF
the Legislature to PREJUDICE cause that should be
tried in the courts, what storm of execration
would be raised from one end of the Commonwealth
to the other. All honest citizens would protest
against an act of such signal oppression, and the
millionaire or demagogue would be execrated from
that time forth forever.
Mr.. Middleton must now go to the courts if he
wishes divorce, where his wife will have equal
chance to be heard, and where the application will
be granted or refused by twelve impartial men,
sworn to give true verdict according to the evil
dence. In the Of the other application, that
Of Mr.. Forrest, similar refusal should be given by
the Senate. Not 1.-THE of the presumptive guilt,
adduced against Mrs Middleton, has been made
public against Mrs. Forrest; and therefore, to re-
fuse one petition, and crafty the other would be
In violation OF all decency and justice. But, did
the proofs against Mrs. Forrest appear to members
of the most conclusive character still the Legsla
ture should refuse divorce; for the accused is en-
titled to be heard in her defence before an impair
tiai court and jury and ought not to be condemned
because she refuses to plead before body which is
both judge and jury, and which the Supreme Court
has decided is incompetent to try such cases
We speak frankly upon this subject, because it
is one in which is involved, not only the common
considerations OF justice TO the parties, but the
reputation Of our commonwealth for honor, for
hospitality, for courtesy to woman. Mrs. Forrest
is a stranger in a strange land" She has no in
huential friends at hand to back her with their
purse no large circle of relatives to shield her and
soothe her against malignant defamation. She is,
as 1t were, guest among us; deserted by him who
should be her protector; and arraigned for crime,
the mere accusation of which deprives woman
generally of friends.
II ever there was a in which the utmost be-
rality was demanded Of US, sPennsylvanians, this
Is one. Yet Mrs. Forrest asks no favor. She only
claims jury trial, right granted to the meanest
feon; and which cannot surely be refused to a
woman, stranger, a neglected wife There are
other considerations, also, which should not be for
gotten Mr.. Forrest has long ceased to be resi-
dent of Pennsylvania, and has only come here
temporarily to obtain this divorce in short, wishes
TO use us for his own private ends, and them throw
ing us aside, retire again to his favorte Forresthi
on the North river. We recognise claim
which such man has Pennsylvanans;
on the contrary, we it to dignity and self
respect to decline assisting him in his schemes.
There is but course left for our Legislature,
sistent with decency, honor, justiceit is to
ject the petition of Mr. Forrest, that it has
ected that of Mr. Middleton, and send the applicant
to the courts of law. If Mrs. Forrest is guilty,
divorce be obtained from the proper tribunal ;
if she is innocent she there establish her purity;
but, the case now stands, the reputation of a
probably guiltless is in peril Of being blasted
forever, by the votes of men before whom she very
properly refuses to plead.
This subject is one in which every woman in the
land has stake involved. If husband can leave
his home, go into State convenient for his pur-
pose, and there, before strange tribunal, and with
having pass the ordeal ofajnry blast his wie's
character by divorce the charge Of adultery,
what female is safer II is only necessary to sup
pose man jealous, insane in love with another
woman, to put the best and purest wife in the coun
try at the mercy of his passions. II is only requi
site for woman to be stranger, and compare
lively frendess, to stamp her, untred, with guilt,
and fling her worthless weed on the highway Of
life.
In the name Of justice, as we respect the honor of
Pennsylv ania, by the reverence we owe mothers at
whose breasts we first drew sustenancc, pro-
test against a conduct which would disgrace US as
citizens Of this noble State, men, and as hus-
bands.