The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-14
GREAT LIBEL CASE.


GREAT LIBEL CASE.
A great libel suit was recently tried before
Judge Williams of the circuit court of Cook
county, which has created an unusual pub
lie interest. The parties were Hon. Van I'll.
Higgins, formerly judge of the superior
court, of Chicago. VS.. Wilbur F. Storey Esq.
editor of the Chicago Times, claiming DANA
ges to the amount of S25 10000.
In 1856 Higgins sold three houses and
lots in Chicago to young lawyer named
McMurray, for 81, 800 agreeing to give him
years TO pay for them. McMurray paid ST.
600, ON the property and expended $500,
on improvements. The hard times of 1857
and the stagnation of all business, especially
law business, made it doubtful whether Nc
Murray could pay for the property. The
war coming on, Higgins went TO McMurray
and urged him to 90 to thewar ; told him he
would help him to get captains commits
sion that his pay would be $3.50, month
that he could then pay him 800. month,
aud leave $50, month, which with the rent
of the other two houses, would support them;
that he would deed one house and lot to his
wife if he died that he would give him or
9years to pay, if he returned that ne would
take good care of his family, be their friend
and protector Sc. &c. With these fair
promises McMurray went to the war, and
died, and then Higgins foreclosed the NOR
gage on all the property and turned the poor
widow out of doors. These are the substantial
facts in the case, and for placing these facts
before the public the editor of the Times was
sued for So, 900 damages to Higgins charac-
ter.
The trial occupied nine days and was one
of unusual interest. The arguments Of
VIM. Dexter Esq. and Emery A Storrs Esq
for the defendent, were most in terestiag, elo-
quent and convincing. During the
speech of Mr.. Storrs the crowd frequently
greeted him with applause which could
scarcely be checked by tho court.
We make extract or two from Mr.
Storrs' speech. Higgins lawyers had claim
ed that the reason he falsifed bis promises
foreclosed the mortgage and turned the poor
soldiers widow out of house and home, was
because he (Higginsl vas in debt. Mr..
Storrs said
Now, gentlemen, because man is in debt,
is very poor reason why he shauld not keen
his agreement? If Higgins owed million
dollars, 1t was no reason why he should VIC
late his solemn promises to this woman
He should be just and true, and keep his
faith with her. He was in debt to the ex.
tent of a quarter of million dollars, but his
creditors did not do any thing of that kind
with him. And in their spirit Of for Searapce
he should have treated her.
Now, | have from the old book case in
point. Higgins creditors did not foreclose
upon him; he did foreclose upon her. And now
l want to show how, in the early history of the
world, these acts were treated. The case to
-rh;nh [ call YOUR attention is reported in the
18TH chapter OF the gospeI accUrulng ~ 81.
Matthew.
His own witness, and his agent. who kent
his accounts, Mr.. Wright, tells us: II
thought ne was bankrupt. None of his
creditors came upon him, nor did | hear
about any of them forclosing."
Mr.. Van Amman; You should read your
law to the court,
Mr.. Storrs: This is the higher law, and
properly goes to the jury. tits the language
OF our Savior in answer to the Apostle Peter,
and reads thus:
therefore is the kingdom of heaven Ikened
unto a certain king which would take accopnt ~
ms servants. And when he had begun to reckon
one was brought unto him which wed him 10 900
talents But, forasmuch as he had not to paw his
lord commanded him to he sold and his wife and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be
made. The servant, therefore, Tell dsSwn and
worshlPped him, saying, Lord, have patience with
me, and will pay thee all Then the lord of tina,
servant was moved with compassion and loosed
MN and forgave him the debt. But the same
servant went out and found one of his fellow |
servants which owed him a hundred pence and
ne iaid hands on him and took him by the throat !
saying, Pay me what thou owest, And his fellow,
servant Tell down al his feet and besought him
saying, Have patience with me and will pay thee
all And he would not but went and cast him |
into PRISON till he should pay the debt. So when
MS fellow servants saw what was done they were
very sorry and came and told unto their lord all |
that was done. Then hrs lord after that he had |
gained nm said unto him. o thou wicked servant
iorgave the all that debt because thou desirest
me- Shouidst not thou also have had compassion |
,t.e my ieliow servant, even as / had pitv on |
go ana his lord was wroth and delivered him |
due unto him. ,, pay All tnat was
.a gentlemen. that was just exactly sucb |
WINS inere the lord OF that king