New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-14
THE CHICAGO SCANDAL.
A WORD IN DEFENSE OF The ACCUSED
LADY.
From TIE Chicago 7smes.

From TIE Chicago Tsmss
From the first moment 70 the present we have been
destitute Of truth. So far as the men whom common
rumor named as the actors IN the dsesng affair wore
concerned, We cared but little; they were squsisin
the estimation Of the pubbc each bad his friends and
ability enough TO defend himself from any wrong or
Outrage TO bis person his reputation. Bot there was
one-tbe greatest victim Of su-who bad neither
friends nor counsel TO advise protect her; who was
faults were rehearsed to gaping crowd, with all the
exaggeratops and aggravstions that dePraved human
nature could suggest or invent. Justice 70 poos de-
fenseless woman demanded that all persons having the
slightest spark of manhood should forbear accusation,
should withhold Judgment and should rebuke vilifca-
ton until She being freed from all possible coercion
and restraint, shonld have opportunity OF being
heard. "Strike, but hear" contains volume OF Just
would deliberately strike down poor, helpless
woman, who would cover her name with shame, and
heap upon her the contumely Of the world, without
giving her opportunity Of defense, deserves NOT the
name of man, but should take bis appropriate place
with those brutal nateres who, having no sense Of
honor themselves rejoice In the degradation Of human
nature.
There was no man Of honorable feeling who did not
regret the avdi.y with which every whisper concern
ing this unfortunate affair listened and repe 4ted
from lip TO lp. IL was painfal to hear that the mig
fortune of respectable family was the universal topic
of conversation in all parts Of the city, by all classes Of
persons in the parors, in the bsrrcoms, and in the
trohels of the town. Scandal, with her ten thousand
tongues saked through the city proclsiming In hardly
decent phrase the shame Of yYSng feeble mother,
city, and deprived of the opportunity TO utter one word
of denial Of defense, in her own behalf The SPEC
tacle was Illuminating onei Even II all that was
doubt il would have been more manly 70 have al
lowed her name TO have passed into silence, and her
memory into oblivion, than 70 have cast upon her PATH
and upon the scenes which In former days she had
IL. IL h.. 49, af,I
lcious Islander.
Il was said that she had confessed VINO heard her
contest Who wrote her confeesonf Had she father,
mother brother OF sister to advice with to read over
to her that hOrrid Indictment and tell her what she
was doing Was she free TO sign or not TO tign TO
confess or not to confess Who that heard she had
signed an impershable record Of her own shame, be-
sSsd fGr AZ iSas ss ' zone 80
fact that che had "confessed' taken and repeated
from mouth to mouth confirmation Of her guilt,
when no one believed that there was any recorded
statement maze BY her that would be dignfed BY any
honorable man as @ " confession y
The ease has now been submitted 10 Court Of law
for its determination. Scandal has had three weeks
carnival ard at last an opportunity offered 70 place
muzzle upon irresponsible oaumny. AZ last The thou
sands who have mercessy and piulessly accused de-
nounced convicted, and sentenced young and absent
woman, will have an opportunity Of witnessing De-
fense made with all the confidence and power OF q
woman stronger IN the panOply Of her trath than man.
though clad in triple brass.
Though Islander has done ts cruel work. and scandal
has been busy with ts thousand tongues, we are sure
that in this case as in all other like cases. the hearts Of
all people will be found beating in and generous
sympathy with woman who comes before the public
to indicate from foul and cruel aspersion her own
pure and nnspotted fame. The charge is pubicly
made upon the judicial records an appeal fos relief Is
made to the courts of the land To that charge
swer--broad, clear sweeping and unmistaiable In its
directness-will be made. Upon that charge and de-
Tense will turn the truth flsity Of the y,lainous
scandal that has filed this city for weeks and are
sure that we do not mistake the public heart when We
say that If the charge fails if the defense be- complete
and final in its character then deep and terrible " the
conscience Of her aetractors must be the punishment
that will follow.