Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-03-29

feminine propriety, and is it not plain that
through all these years it was she who was really
following feverton, not Yelverton who was
seeking her in marriage9 This indeed, is the
only possible plea which can be urged in excuse
Of his misdeeds
The worst feature in this case, however, so
far as regards the public interests, is its illustra
tion OF our law respecting marriage in these
kingdoms. Had anything like an ineligible
principle, or even rule of equal justice, per-
vaded this part Of our Jurisprudence, we may be
assured that this odious case would never have
taken Its present shape. 1t is scarcely possible
for any one to define what acts constitute
marriage in Scotland, and this uncertainty in the
present case was the probable causes of all that
has followed, and, doubtless, will often again
entail the most painful consequences on families
As regards the law Of marriage in Ireland, its
gross injustice is broadly shown in the crcnm
stances of the secret ceremony which took place
in the chapel, near RostIever. There il no
doubt that on that occasion a valid Roman Cath
Ole marriage was celebrated had both the parties
been Of that faith and it il truly monstrous TINT
in country like ireland any question as TO the
validity Of the contract shoald be made 10 turn
on the creed Of the contractors. An old Irish
stature however, avoids all marriages celebrated
0y "Popish priests between II Papst mud any
person who hath been, or hath profe sel him or
herself to be Protestant at any time within
twelve calendar months before such celebration
oil maTriage;" and as Miss LOBgworth wns con-
feasedly Roman Catholic, while Yelyerton
claims to have been Protestant, tue effect of
The act has been pleaded in his favor. The evil
dence of the matter of fact was very conflicting
at the trial and, although the verdict has been
pronounced, We apprehend that the point Of law
remains open for discussion
RESULT OF THE YELvERToH MARRIAGE CASE.
II n.,hN
Of the trial. the Chief Justice Of the Common
Pleas delivered his charge to the jury, who iu-
medately retired
After IN hours absence the jury retu, ned to
the boxi the multitude that thronged the court
were hushed into breathless attention:
The Chief Justice, addressing tue jury, said
We'll, gentlemen, have you agreed to your
The FOreman-We have, my Lord
The Chief Justicc-Was there a Scotch mar
riage between those parties
The Foreman-Yes.
The Chief Justice-Was there an Irish mar
riage2
The Foreman--There was
The Chief Justice-That is, in other words, |
he was Roman Catholic at the timc of .tho |
marriagei
The FOrcman-wo believe he was, my Lord.
After the verdict had been declared, the usual
fee was handed to the jury.
The Foreman, handing it back, said-My
Lord, am requested by my brother jurors to
hand to the registrar our fee, q guneas, in
order that it may be sent to some charitable in.
stituton. Loud cheers.
The Chief Justice-Very well, Mr.. Foreman;
what institution do you name?
The FOreman-The Sick and Indecent Room
keepers Society.
His Lordship then rose, and in few minutes
the court was cleared
When Mrs. lelvertons counsel, Mr.. White
side, entered the room where she was waiting
iis countenance and significant gestures. as well
rs the cheers which rang through the court, told
ler that the verdict was in her favor; she spraug
Onward without saying a word, casped him n
ier arms, pressed him convulsiyely to her breast,
md seizing his two hands, kissed them Over
ZONE by the violence of her emotions, after such
! long and terrible tension of the nervous system,
The sank down exhausted aud found relief in n |
iood of tears The excitement in the court when
he verdict was announced was quite unprece.
Tented. The whole audience rose and cheered
unanimously, the ladies waving their handker-
'hefs, the gentlemen their hats, aud the barrs-
ers their wigs. 1t was delirium of ioy The
ontagion spread through the multitude outside,
md the shouts Of triumph passed along the
Whole line to the Gresham Hotel in Sackvlle '
treet. The crowd insisted on taking the horses {
rom Mrs felverton's carriage and drawing it !
o the hotel, where she was obliged to appear on :
he balcony to crafty her admirers. She said {
my noble-hearted friends, you have by your
erdict this day made me an Irish woman. You
will forever live in my heart, as do in youts this
lay" Her being m English woman had no
fleet in damping the ardor of the most bigoted
lilesian or UltramOntanist-her having been n
lister Of Charity and convert to the Church Of
tome did not check the sympathy of the most {
ntolerant Orangeman. The speech Of MIR Ser
cant Armstrong, who, in his zeal for his client,
lid all he could to make her seem vile in the I
yes of her own sex, did not diminish the interest
n her Of the ladies of Dublin, whose carriages
Tere drawn up along the quay in long line d
The Evening Packet, conservative journal, I
alls attention to the fact that, while there are |
light Roman Catholic judges on the bench to O
our Professionals, the respective merits and claims
the Protestant and Roman Catholic portions !
the bur are tested by this trial. 1t would be |
impossible to magnify tue interests at stake in t
he estimation of the parties, yet there was not
inele Roman Catholic barrister employed on {
ither side. q