Smyrna times., 1865-12-06
Vice IN High Life.

y ScandalouS suit is now on trial in New
\ ork, which daily fill, several columns of the
journals of that city. \ husband sues for di-
vorce on tn" ground of his wife adultery with
his own brother She. while not denying the
charge, claims that her husband had forgiven
her Tor the crime. Afterwards she makes Il
countcrchargr a,s,in,c him, and ask for Il ,li-
yorcc on the srounl of his inilrlities. The
testimony. - Ear Il, it has procrc lei reveals
criminal acts OF another character and the ca Sc
IS altogether one Of the most shocking that h;,
been made public for long time. The par
ties belong to the very best society Of New
ork, the lady bcIn" one Of Il family that is
allied to number OF Others occupying high 50
cial positions.
There are many good men and pure women.
whose names have been ruthlc>Sly brought Tor
ward III the legal proceedings, and they are en-.
tlted to the respectful torbcarance Of distant
journalists even though they may not be ia
vorcJ with it from the journalists of = the me
trOpolls. The case is one however, that has
Its lessons, and the Instructive points may be
touched upon without exceeding the limits Of
propricty.
Mrs. Strong was one of number Of sisters
who were libcraTy educated and lxuriou,y
brought up. On her marriage to Il gentleman
OF corresponding position in life, she travelled
with him in Europe tor some time. Return
ing sle bacamc the head of handsome cStab-
l,hment, and several children were born -
Their residence was ultimately fixed, for most
Of the year in the country Mr. Strong going
to New York almost every day, his wife wa~
left, for the greater part Of the time. to her
own resources for the means OF passing the
time. y brother Of her husband, widowcr
came to reside with them lie had no busi
ness to call him to town, and was thrown into
constant communication with his siStcr-inlaw
during his brother absence The results fol-
lowed that have led to the trial. The wife in
Il moment Of grief for the loss of child, is said
to have confessed all to her husband To d
friend She is alleged to have confessed that She
made the first advances to her brother-in-aw
and that she also committed another crime OF
Il shocking nacurc. There may be evidence to.
contrOvert these allegations but thus far the
case is briefly as We have stated it.
We have no intention of offering any apollo
gy for either Of the guilty parties in this dcpio-
rable case.
n rciOrmat0ry movement among the rich
and more fashionable people of our country is
very much needed. We are sending missiona-
rieS among the heather, the negroes, the poor,
the illiterate and vicious of the worst parts of
our cities. But vice in high life is much more
dangerous, and there should be equally Jealous
efforts to arrest it. There are many intluen-
tial men and women, i'll the gay circles Of every
city, who are, in spite of their surroundings,
virtuous and good They may. if they choose,
correct the tone of society II the vulgar jest
aud the indecent dress We're forbidden by them;
if the indi>crimlnate companionship OF all who
frequent the ballroom were stopped; if the
prevailing excessive extravaganza were dis
countenanced by such men and women, be-
ginning of the reform would be made Who
will have the courage to be the pioneers in the
movement?