158 Tenn. 86 | Tenn. | 1929
delivered the following opinion of the court:—
This was an action of assault and battery brought by Newman against M.cNairy. The defendant pleaded son assault demesne, and upon the trial he offered evidence that Newman had, some days before the battery, spoken slanderous words to him, and used abusive and disrespectful epithets of him in his character of physician, of which he was informed on the day before the battery. This evidence was objected to, but the objection was overruled on the ground that such evidence might be received in mitigation of damages.
The correctness of this opinion of the inferior court is here called in question; because, it is contended, no evidence of provoldng language ought to have been received, except of such words as were used at, and immediately before, the time of the quarrel. Esp. N. P. 317, and the case of Robertson v. Dunn, decided by the court of appeals of Kentucky. And further, that at all events the evidence was improperly received under the plea of son assault demesne.
It appears, singular that so little is to be found upon this subject in the books. The case from Kentucky, is in some respects, different from this — in some others there
I should much regret a decision that would countenance turbulent and violent passions in disturbing the peace and harmony of society; and I should equally regret one on so limited a scale as to view men as angels while I am conscious they are nothing but men.
The doctrine insisted upon by the appellant’s counsel I can see much reason in, when applied to public prosecutions designed to compel an observance of the public peace, but I acknowledge I cannot see it in so strong a light when it is a question between A & B, how much money the one shall receive of! the other as a compensation not only for an actual injury, but likewise for the wound inflicted upon the feelings of the individual; in cases of that kind, it does seem to me that an attack upon B without cause, in the pursuit of his ordinary business, and when he had not interferred in the concerns of others, ought to be compensated with more liberality than an attack upon his person pretty soon after the assailant was informed that B had been engaged in the business of detraction, and had, perhaps, from malicious motives, been lacerating his character so as to leave it bleeding at every pore. I admit it would be more dignified in the injured individual to resort to the laws of his country for redress, if the word used entitled him to any, and if they did not, to bear the injury with ,God-like patience; but we must take human nature as it is, and make the most of it. We must not expect from man a course inconsistent with his nature; and we oug’ht to bear with his frailties and imperfections, as far as is consistent with the true interest of society. The tongues of men, as well
The judgment must be affirmed.