The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-12
The Can adIan Opinion OF the Forrest Trial

From the Toronto Colonist, Feb 81
We find that the American papers are still dis.
recently brought to termination. Txss extra
ordinary trial lasted for thirty-two days. Every
disgusting and scandalous particular Of evidence
was published at length in nearly all the New York
papers. These reports were copied again by many
Of the papers in other towns, and By this means
were multiplied like rays of light, and scattered
broad cast over the republic. The very length of
these reports was a curiosity. Had they been re-
they would have filed hundred colu Of this
journal They were read, we were informed, with in
tense curiosity, and this we might have naturally
inferred from the apparent avidity with which
every abominable detail was seized hold of and re-
produced in the columns Of the newspapers Even
the Judge upon the bench, in charging the Jury,
remarked upon this extraordinary and morbid Gu.
riosty, and stated, that in every tavern, bar-room
BARRIERS shop, or other places where newspapers
circulated, this matter had been made the subject
Of constant conversation, to the injury of public
morals He even went to the length of suggesting
that there should be a law passed to prevent the
publication of evidence in such cases, until at least
the trial should be completed. We are happy,
however, to state that no Canadian newspaper has
soied its columns with any of the infamous details
for the sake of panderng to the bad curiosity of
disciplined minds We would not have alluded to
this matter now, but as public journalists we con-
slider ourselves bound to record all the public events
Of the day. and this Forrest trial, both in itself,
W u
we have above stated, of an extraordinary nature.
1t is not our intention to pronounce upon the guilt
or innocence Of Mr. and Mrs Forrest and still less
to review the evidence brought out az the trial
We have not read the latter with sufficient close
ness to do this; but still have seen enough of it
to appreciate its quality. Our object is simply to
notice few of the facts contained in the charge of
Mr.. Chief Justice Oakley, of the United States Su
appears, from this charge, that Mrs. Forrest fled
her complaint against her husband, charging him
with adultery, under facts and circumstances and at
various times. Mr.. Forrest, his part, denied the
allegations set up by his wife, and then set up
against her counter charges of adultery with six
men, who were named. This was the issue raised
and to decide which the immense mass Of evidence
was taken. We may state, in this place, that the
verdict Of the Jury was in favor OF Mrs. Forrest
She was declared innocent, and her husband guilty
Of adultery. The result, we learn, entities her to
the privileges of divorce, but denies them to the
husband Sbo is to be allowed three thousand
dollars q year alimeny from the estate of
her husband motion was made for
trial on the part Of Mr. Forrest. but it was over
ruled by the Chief Justice. To return, however,
to the charge of the Judge. He observed that the
effect of the peculiar manner in which the case was
presented, was that If the parties should be found
both guilty, or both innocent, the law would leave
them where it found them, and neither party would
be entitled to q divorce. lie went on to show that
the jury would have to decide, by weighing the
credibity Of the witnesses. He stated, that If all
the testimony that had been sworn to, was to be
beHeVed, both parties were decidedly guilty. lie
further told them that they would have to decide
upon the greatest Of perjury that he ever wit
messed, either on the bench or whom he was prac-
tisirg at the bar. He then proceeded to a review
of the evidence but in this shall not follow him.
We do not propose to permit ourselves to make
any extended commentary on this case, which, as
the Judge stated, involved several distinct causes
of action, and which latter circumstance was the
reason Of its great length. Itwas in effect, as a
paper states, not only the trial of Mr.. and Mrs.
Forrest, but also that OF the vices and moral grimes
of the fashionable society Of New York We would
that the revelations had never been made known.
We have heard before Of dens Of infamy, and Of
the vices depicted by French historians during tho
period OF the first French revolution, when all the
landmarks OF society were broken down, and the
restraints OF religion and decency were thrown
aside but these, bad and revolving as they were,
Gid not equal tho ebominable sin which this trial
reveals, has existed, and likely does already, under
the decent and comely mask OF the refined elegan-
eies Of New York fashionable society. IL seems
that this society may, with Justice 10 likened to
"hited sepulchre, witch Is beautiful ostEafdy, but
Wlthin IS iuil Of dead mems bones
we regret, Tor the sake OF deoenoy, If not for
mat Of our common humanity, to have TO add,
that no sooner is the result OF the trial made known
than Mis- Forrest advortises that she will appear
upon tho stage, to show herself off and make
money, out Of tho extraordinary aotoriety she has
gainld,