Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-02-14

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point that mean to argue directly, and will dcain the
fiouso out very lew minutes. will the last ar
gumon' urged by the gentleman from Northampton first
Is ms SIR bic says the Tyranny the law is what he
regards uos-thc cruelty of its sanctions He saws mis-
IS the most important consideration that induces him ia
wish the repeal of the law.
This argument fuily answered nv the fart ,b, c d.,
penalties too cruel likely Ia be
hey can DC amended altered repealed disturb
ing tne ho"y OF The statute This thou rel SON
Tor passing this BILL which seeks repeal the whole STA
tute- ~
NOR IS 1t necessary to maintain overthrow the law of
Moses the Old New nj in oder to ,h
e u Is enough If the existing law be not forbidden in
those sacred volumes, and can proved To he po,ic n
ms ''npoftaht Po' OF policy be against this bill, il i'll
not be my course take up the time of the House in or
g,ng o'her points. shall conhu myself therefore TO the
policy of the existing law Is founded in sound mil
Sy Is tue question: Sir this statute has our code
Tor 20 Has it done any general evil in ira, tim
and if any, what is the evil? The rentlemn,, see, 80 e.
that should it not be repealed the land will be over,n viii
ota bnchelos who, having fallen in with their wives
SISTERS and the law fobding the baus will die single in
disgust WIN the sex and the laws. Were my prola
hy OF the males NOT being able TO End companions there
might DC some reason in this obecnn this no, the
'of Win The exception of very near relations and
some restraint To the colour, atrony is
~ us ofate. The law cannot be impotic this crouud
n"' my part 10 prove the law polite in principle it
stands Is II polite to prohibit man from ma his
whe sister say this law has been in our stature
DOCK Tor 80 years there must have been
ina. hoSea the Legislature of Virginia pass this law
o so lohs continue IT. The gentleman employed great
aoour and ability prove that this prohibition is no, found
in the sacred writings. He urged too ta, neither re mo-,
marriage even with mans own sister Is forbj,p NV
the law OF nature because in hcsninc there were hut
two be then that he is right both tics proposiions
On what ground could this law been passed other than
pocy itcertanly was passed, aud been continued for
great iengf OF time ON SOME ground The gentleman
seems TO think here the laws ard customs Of
me English who peoped this country and has been retain
ed here by our attachment RELIGIOUS ceremonies f
TINT country Can this DO so? Have we not shown n dis
position 10 any restraint that knd that is not vi
tally important to be retained Have not our prpuiices
Ollf nj fher ax-cl,t ~, -
fu iar ai they have. There must then SIR be soma
strong eeg at least, in the bosoms of Yginaus opposed
." S"en an union II seems opposed to all the deli
nte no ehhed feelings of the heart. But, sir this is not
all 1t is attended with the most dangerous consequences
ffst, as To the wife, How and ueoeeSars Is H.
that The wife is confined her weeks nav for
months together How absolutely necessary is it that her
sister (ad her oltger oftenA sl,ouid he m h h
Sieai times in a the most ,,riro,e 80
The honse! Must she not take the te,nnr broad
until such time, if mother shall le bIe m t,.
take lein TO her bosons How often IL happen thai
some oil these are sck anc Ibis tender maiden perhaps
ui'ceh spends tile dcadest hours OF the night with them
And where, sir is the husband md the father blu, NJ tb
neo-side OF tie wife and children? How does il hap
pen that the husband this unspicious virgin ore alone
thus employed IN the Offices the familv AZ the
feaes hours OF the night and beyon the eve Of the vii,
who lies enaciated and helpless her nerves all tfcmbc
ana her mad prey to every idle fahcy. Should the idea
once be admitted iuo ier Mind that NAV poba
bly, be her husbands if and let be settled tina, there
n" principle or the law of God of Nature orbddns IL;
and let the practice bc non TO make such union tI
Pdcs her sister on the grounds with any other
young and beautiful girl of fifteen; and will there nc no
danger OF Jealousy? Would there none if the wife
u possession Of all her rmness? From
the known passions and frailties that the nr
III nerve both constitutional aud moral apprehend thrre
"u "e' what then must be the situation of this aict-
en- we ana mother, subject natural de PRESTON
ness an" apprehension incident such state of bra ?-
nc gentleman has eudcavoued to prove love 10 be on,
Potent 1t bc is jealousy. Should il one, get nos
SESSION 81 her mind, vain indeed be evcrv effort IN
remove H. "Fer ries light ir. 10 the ;ralo,s mini
seem continuation strong evidence holy writ" viii
nor pant the bitter anguish of this helpless nation under
uc petsuasonS taking leave Of all below; name the
horrors OF her future life, if recovered under the Influence
of this tormen;ihg passion.
AGAIN. SIR let the dangers as TO the husband
and sIster-Inla law Is there danger of all being lost
through the weakness of human ailty hy so long eypos
ng ms poor son Of Adam and this fair and youthful ag
Ter on Eve to trial so seyeIe Sir, do nd here TO
tier human weakness strength Every ma ge in the
scriptures and every prayer that commanded 10 ut
% proves The weakness of natures the experience
u on past tunes proves the melancholy fact that none
ooght or can safely themselves in the way of great
temptation. Placing then this sSter-,-Iav on the same
footing with any other young lady of her are and beauty
an" Judging from The known feelings passions that arc
he masters sometimes, of adjust imagine all the e
be safe. ~ " u'"
And, s il lie were no worse and she were ro vorsc
every one brSeRes IT. But the geutlemnn says that when
man about choose partner for life H.. win mo, con-
sun thf statute nor this IIousen this or conscience
ms own heart his law. lie asks should man wish 10
marry or scduce woman, would he consult the s,attes
Deove the statute would have but little influence o.
her OF these passions bad possession of his heart,
- e 10 DC icgis'ated up lcgsatcd down IF this he
So what Is 10 prevent the hod consequences of sin and
e NO prohibition in the law of God. none IN the La
~ nature none in the heart think with the peucn,or
~ man believe all this, and a woman br lieyc all
. H'e statute would have great effect upon them
We nave received Other npe ssons-yvc have been
taught that every hng which productive Of evil s o
o ~ me General principles If ccudc inclcaf-
ca m We scriptures From earliest infancy ,re
never heard Of such union except now and i5cn mon
onoo az some late hour Of The nst among other tales Of
seems truly thar by the law " nature tcre car he M
70 an Union with mans oyn sister. VIVA, then is tho
reason That no unhaowed thought permitted IN mas our
minds concerning herr 1t is because we have urc %
oFen permitted 70 contemplate union w her Tbo
oo'h then stand on the ground-ong settled habi, ri
nini--rary impressions which nielible From o,
gTandiaihcrs and granAaothcrs down 70 our IA mo-
thers nj even noighhnr we have been taah 10 int
II right; aud when auy such grandmother or no,e
has been beaten in argument by such subtle aid dan
gorous arguments those urged by the gentleman she Ia
been able 10 say her daughter, 1t against tho law m
the Iand and ndecate, If expressly forbidden bv ,c
law OF Geo Of natureand has always been able 10 fol
him. ground my argument here them Ipon a.. oa,,.