Sothern v. United States

(after stating the facts as above). „ The only question to be determined on the demurrer is whether a marriage contracted by a lunatic or insane person is wholly void, so that it may be attacked collaterally, or only voidable, and valid until set aside in a direct proceeding instituted for that purpose.

Marriage is now recognized by all the American as well as the English courts as a civil contract. Meister v. Moore, 96 U. S. 76, 78, 24 L. Ed. 826; Reynolds v. United States, 98 U. S. 145, 165, 25 L. Ed. 244 ; 38 C. J. 1272; 18 R. C. L. 383, and authorities there cited. Being a civil contract,…