Moore v. P. W. Publishing Co.

It is apparent that the validity of the plaintiff’s judgment depends upon two questions, One, are the *188words, “Uncle Tom,” libel per se, and two, if such words are not libel per se are the words libel per quod and did the plaintiff, as she must in a case of libel per quod, prove special damages.

To be libelous per se words must be of such a nature that courts can presume as a matter of law that they tend to degrade or disgrace the person of whom they are written or spoken, or hold him up to a public hatred, contempt or scorn. Digest Publishing Co. v. Perry Publishing Co., 284 S. W. 2d 832.

Judge…