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

source of moral and religious instruction, mus,
from their nature be interchangeable. But its
preccpts, as confronting and regulating the DO.
| htical and civil conduct of men, are not so i'm
tnutabc and bindind. MIR. B. denied that the
canon now sought to be repealed was not in per-
icct conformity with tire Levitical law-tlIe only
ciiierence was, it went beyond that law. So
iar as they go together, there is perfect harmenv
between them; and they aim al the same ends.
the purity, safety and happiness of society. Such
were the objects of the Old & New Testament
n such arc the ends ofour law. fit shall appear,
SAID Mr.. IL. that the ancient laws and rerula
lions on this or any other subject, fall short of
these great and primary purposes, is it not COM
Petent Tor the guardians of the morals, health
and security of the community 10 supcra.ld such
provisions as may seem to them best fitted to
accomplish them, and promote the good of ALL
Therefore, said Mr.. u. the opinions and lars of
""cent theologians, philosophers and Legislators,
whch nave been presented before us in sucl, stu
pendous array by the gentleman from Northamp-
ton, cannot have the smallest influence on our minds
me only ana true ground said Mr.. b. on which
TO place this interesting question, its policy its
wisdom. Is 1t poliiic is it wise, retain the pro-
hibition contained in your statute? Do the senti-
ments and feelings of the good people of this COM
monwealth accord with it? Are they not decidedly
averse to the innovation now proposed? Is their
VIII: Do they think it for the general good that
man should hereafter be permitted to marry the
sister of his deceased wife? If they do NOT as I
am sure, said MIR. b. they do not, then this rule
should be held sacred, this cannon should not lie
touched. You Ought, you can look to no other
source for information and direction. The laws
ana habits OF other nations and other times, the
most labored and ingenious arguments the most
metaphysical spcculations, the gravest decisions of
ancient theologians, have no place i'm this en-
curry. The hearts of the people is the ouly vo-
lume to which you can afely refer " hat is found
to be written there, is DUR law, and must be obeysd
Marriage, said Mr.. B. is the great palladium of
human happiness. 1t is of the great pillars
which support and connect the social fabric Wca-
Ken or impair its strength, and in proportion you
jeopardize and endangcr the superstructurc. To
throw around it any guard which promises ii pro-
lection and support and to preserve il pura and
invoate, is the first of human duties And i'm uba,
way, 10y what act, Mr. b. inquired, could this hch
obligation be more directly and fatally infrinoed
than by the passage of the bill your tablc-bv
proclaIing that man may marry the sister of his
deceased vile, that a union may now be lawfully
formed between those who should be kept as far
and as inseparably apart the rich man and La
zarus: Such liccnce would carry with il evils to
matrimonial peace and tranquility, beyond the ken
of the bodest magma ton 1t certainly the pa,t
OF wisdom, when acting subjects of this sort tn
exclude as much as possible the influence of TENN
tation. In most situations it is much to be feared:
out Is especially SO in the relation of man and his
N
dltIon necessarily ensenders great trust and conf
dence and in proportion renders its abuse possible
and.easy. Often 1t bappeus the house of the bro
ther-in is the Only asylum of orphan dauph-
ter. Her parents,ihe natural and watchful cent?
nels of her conduct and chara cter, ire dumb i'm the
dust, and the husband of her sister the depository
OF all her hopes and her condolences; he is the con.
slant man OF her counsel; on him she leans with an
suspecting and undoubting dependence, and is the
last man on earth from whom she would apprehend
injury wrong-which is but the great facility for
LIS accomplishment. by mpercepiible and slow
degrees the unhallowcd puassion greens into the
heart; aud the fatal purpose is engendered of one
day or other ioosenng man an wife; to the ac-
complishmen' of which the laws Of God and MA N
interpose no impeachment, and to which there is how
no obstacles but the life of her who is the wife of
the one and the sister Of the other. Soon she be-
comes the object of disregard and aversion; and
by and by the victim of tyranny aud oppression
discord and strife their mscreaIt crests in The
bosom of the family; aggression is heapcd upon
aggression, aud wrong upon wrong, until sunken
and he broken, the helpless wife expires and re-
moves the only obstruction. Or, it this be not her
fate, she may (Which is mere to be deprecatet) ask
you to hear the story of her woe, and supplicate
you to disnhral her from the oppressor's power: a
prayer which consummates the misery OF the family
and the destruction of the uno.fending Offspring
Often, said Mr.. b. will you be called to listen to
such appalling narratives that with which your
ears and hearts were but the other day so much
shocked; and al the bare recital of which, every one
seemed to sicken.
Sir, said MIR. Il. repeal the clause, Is is now ask
ed; give the liberty which this bill seeks; and. the
mischief cannot he iod ina gina ton caunc, unfold
the varieties of evil which will flow in upon our
social and domestic happiness. Bat the member
from Northampton has said it is vain, it is worse
than idle to legslate against the feelings Of meu
that they scorn such restraints, aud distlain the
trammels Of such prohibitions. Yes, said Mir. Il.
The assertion is too true. Pass this bill; say there
is bar to this ncestuous connexions, bui the life
of the woman who happens to be the wife; aud the
law which aims TO cloiie her with It's security will
be scofned and violated.
When the law shall Iegalize the association we
much deprecate the effect must be great infoads
in social and domestic felicity in other respects
The wife no longer draw around her those
whose society and consultations she would most
prefer; in the hour of sickness and affection, she
cannot ask the cheering presence and assistance of
the sister to whom she is most tcndcrly attached,
aud with whom she has grown up in habits of the
most heartfelt affection. She now look upo,
her with unsuspcctiug confidence. Once she bebeId
her IF the sister of her husband; but now she sc
III her who may occupy her place. who instead of
consoling and cbeIisng her in sickness aud distress
may desire her death instead of being the angel of
consolation, she may prove The minister of destruc-
ton Sir, said Mr. u. the picture is terrific; but it
is true and why, he asked should we run so
great Il hazard: WhyeDcountcr so great jeo-
pardy?s Does the state represent require il at
cur hands. Has her voice been heard within these
walls saying repeal this law; it is against our will
that this Rnafnral prohibition should be longer
retained: The murnuTs of few discontinued
ones have reached our cars. And although, said
Mr. Is. he did not know it, lie would venture the
assertion that they have issued from the mouths OF
some tfansgresscFs of this wise and bcuguant law;
some who, uurindful Of duty to his country