Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-24

into The examination ana argument mini 49, .
pared to reflect and to reason but that one -.
s'eh'an particularly, the honourablc met.,cs
from SpotsyiVania, has given loose to his Ii AZ
ii.Ss and appealed to the passions of the Hors.A
Dir II IS III the very decided and general cx-
preston ct adherence, which VIC have bea. &
from every quarter of this House, flor eyenst,c
,oYocates OF the bill, denounce the union which.
proposes 10 permit that this public sentiments
IS 10 be ascertaned. For, SIR, coming. "a
we DO from the very body of the people
part OF the people themselves the scnti
inent felt and expressed within these walls. is
pretty correct index Of what is felt without.
And very well remember some three or f,u,.
years since, when had before the honour of 3,
seat upon this floor, when similar propositions
was before 1t, with one universal burst of inds-
MARION u yas secuted from our door. Where, 4
"oh'd ask, Is the evidence, that public sei,t-
heh Is against the prohibition contained in the
cNis''ns law; is 1T any evidence that public SEN
.,heht IS against us, because there are two or
.hree petitions from unfortunate persons, who
nave come under the penalty of the law. or is
'h's public sentiment to be found i'm the present.
hent OF the grand jury of the county of NORTH
ahP'on! SIR, 1 do not mean to reflect urop
'i'a' respectable body of men who usually com
pose 'he "'and Juries OF our country; but vet
we do Know that IN matters of opiniou cvcn
grand lurieS may be influcrced BIZ ci, cm,.
s'ances; an unfortunate friend or neighbour, i'm
whose welfare they take deep Interest is in
vowed; some powerful and influential GENTLE
man OF their county is opposed 10 this law:
cannot pretend TO say what, or that any uarti
cular state Of things in the county of NoT,bamr
'oh' influenced the grand jury of that county 10
adopt the course they have done but will SAY.
''iat other grand Jnries have presented offences
dS iit'st thls law, WINCH Is te atT OF our III hers
ana IN which no fault was discovered unt;g !,
was discovered by thu grand Jury Of .ie CONT,
Oh northampton i am at loss 10 perceive 5
any force IN the argument, that as il is not pro-
hbiea by the divine law, then it is a restraint
upon our natural rights. 1t certainly does not
follow, that because i'm a state Of nature and
antecedent to municipal law, a man had "A uatu- ,
raj right 10 marry the sister of his deceased
wife, therefore such union should not be pro.
hbiied. Sir, when man enters into a state of
society, he surrenders a part of those natural
rights; part Of his liberty is given up, that he
may the better enjoy that which is reserved to
hlin and when the exercise Of any natural right
IS inconsistent with the exercise of the same
right III others, or the good or the happiness of
society requires the surrender, government has
certainly the right TO interpose its laws and con-
trout Ills use or 10 prohibit il altogether. The
honourab'e member from ALTERNATE has told
you OF some of the consequences and probable
Influences upon the state and condition of
society, winch might be expected to be pro-
duced by repeal of this law. He has led US
INTO the sick room OF wife so circumstanced.
What are now the offices of sister? Size NAV
be tounj lowering around the sick bed, like am
angel oi mercy; by her care, pouring oil into
the wounds OF an afflicted sister, or by her kind
assduities, drying up the tears of distressed
brother-in-law. Sir, If you should change thiS
relationship and permit her to be regarded as
one who might possibly become the wife of a
breiler-ln-law, IN the circumstances Just mem
TONED, her presence would often produce as
MUCH pam as pleasure; and that very presence.
instead OF softening, plant thorDs upon Tie ujI.H
10Y OF sickness, and Jealousy suppl, the place
OF affection In reply to the argument. t,,.t
tsie heaF associations OF man witt. Tie sister Of
h's Hne requires the ::il Of la,g 10 ccprrouJ t;s
interc"arse aud that without Ia, res, am.
han' consequences, uuCb "a be teohrs9
wpi''' '''a,' ioiio"; NC are told to denouact by
hISh penalties, and BY severe laws any ,,;rf,,s-f
OF the confidence Which such IN ,r,te,.,.,,,,sI.
encourages; that our legislation Is i,,l;,,e.,,s. ~
we are eHdeavonring to prevent rather tI,a,
10 punish, The commission 6t. crime. TIE Io.
houfabse gentleman Is correct " hei, he s,,,,,o
se' so, AID have certainly new r,,Ie of I.n;l
!at'on to learn. when a,l, 10 be tarel,, ,h,9 :
Is no, better 10 prevent than 10 punish. by se-
we're laws, the commission of crime -, IL
ways thonght 1t WAS the duty of wise l. ,;sI,-
"a t. 10 P'epehf rather thaD 10 punish crn~o
'iH case 81 Sroddus, Sir, which was ,ifed H.,
t''', 'ohourabic member from NortI,arnn,on
'i'i"E, was ra:iier an unfortunate one for IL,
purposes. knew nothing of this case. cxe.,t
aS Se''i''ig question of law, until the ,re,,f,r
man gave u It's history. This sir. was = ,I,,io,,
oaI"cen 6Toddus and the sister of his deco re-.
"'it; iiiacceniIy entered Into within verv eIor,
pe,io' ait"r iier deatlE unnatural i,,i;n,5,,
ociieVe'i, or suspected TO have existed nc,;;,,:.
10 lllat death, and now contaminated in Inc nor.
'cct domestic misery of the parties. Tins Won
Pe'ccVe' s'T That III spite of The barriers of law
al" ''ie opinion OF society, the near associaf;on
" persons so related has sometimes rcsulfeJ in
me very consequences, which, we all derreca,,
ana which we would all avoid. Ccrtai,i, tbc,,
you would not tear down any of the bar,;cre
w ', are now interposed TO protect us from
'hcse denominations. | will not det,in Won e.
,hef' SIR but FOR the reasons urged by the mem.
Der from Goochland, that the relai;onsl,;ns ~
our domestic circle arc changed. had mn
other, would vote against the bill: and mt
outstanding the sarcasns Of gentlemen. wopId
oe content to have that vote regarded as
the effect OF education or of prejudice.
Hnyt'-A letter from 81. Bar,hoIomev,s or,l.e
iath November confirms The stateren, that tho
troops lately arrived in the West Indies from
rance were for relieving the garrisons ofGau-
daioupe ard Martinique, & not To- attacl, I,avti
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