Delaware gazette and American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1837, 1833-01-11

planned Of grieUance that ought 10 be
removed, many from seruplcs of conscience
or other. causes nannot be married by
minister of the gospel, yet il is acknowl-
edged that among them are some of our
most intelligent and respectable citizens.
Why not permit cipil magistrate to per.
form the ceremony, as the case in most
other states; why compel the person TO
go a considerable distance at much incon-
venience and expense TO have done, what
every Judge and Justice Of the Pence
ought to be authorised to dol Is this
equality? Is it respecting the rights of
conscience
Let it not be thought that wish 10 take
from ministers the privilege of perform.
ing the ceremony, far from it, that would
he violating the consciences of the bulk
of the people who feel it conscientious
duty to be married by minister. That
hardship now presses on portion Of the
people, justice says: let every one have
bis choice, either minister or a maeis.
trate.
\ In most of the states civil officers as
well rs ministers Of the gospel, are au.
| 'SSSu W PSiiOhi tne marriage cere-
mony, TO wit TN Ohio, Justices cf-tfrs-
Peace and ministers Of the gospel. In
Virginia, ministers generally and maeis.
trates partially. In South Carolina. min.
listers of the gospel and Justices of The
Peace. In Indiana, Justices of the Peace
Judges of the circuit and superior Courts.
and ministers of the gospel. In Tonnes
sec, ministers and Justices of the Peace.
In Illinois, ministers of the gospel, JUDGES
of the Superior and circuit Courts md
Justices of the Peace. In Louisiana
Parish Judges, Justices of the Peace. and
ordained ministers. In Mississippi, Judges
OF the Superior and inferer Courts, Jus.
tees of the Peace, and ordained ministers.
Ia Missouri, ministersof the gospel, Judp.
es OF the supreme cilcul and county
Courts, and Justices of the Peace, In
Alabama, Judges Of the circuit supreme
and county Courts, Justices of the Peace
and ministers Of the gospel. In Penns.
ylVania, Justices of the Peace. mavor,s
and aldermen and ministers. In Nav
Jersey, Judges, Justices of the Peace and
ministers. Ia New York, ministers of
the gospel, Judges and Justices of the
Pence. In most of the New ENGLAND
states, magistrates aud ministers. An
this shows that our marriage law is less
liberal than that of most other States. and
calls loudly for change. II it is thought
expedient TO extend the rights of con.
science to Kent and Sussex, let the law he
passed for New Castle where lies The
greatest grievance. Two or three years
ago this subject was before the Leeisls.
ture, and was defeated in the House only
ny the casting vote of the speaker. MANY
at that time it was understood would have
voted for the bill for New -CnstIe, who
were uniavourable TO extending its pro.
visions 10 Kent and Sussex. Among the
supporters Of the Bill at that time wero
'ohn Sutton of New Castle, a prosby terrain,
and Henry +. Rodney of Sussex an ems.
copalian, both liberal, honorable and good
men, willing 10 extend the privileges thew
enjoyed 10 others, neither of whom ner.
haps would have thought ii right in them.
selves TO be married by magistrate: there
were OF course others equally liberal at
mat time, but these are mentioned 10 show
that the law would not initiate against
any just and enlightened christian nrin.
clple. Ought not the rights of all to be nut
on an equal footing
1t is hoped and by many believed that
the Legislature will pass law at its pres.
ent session authorizing Judges and Justic.
es of the Peace, as well as ministers of
The gospel, 10 perform the marriage cere.
mony at least in New Castle county. IL
not in Kent and Sussex.
RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE.