Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-03-14
I'm sENATE. liEp. D, l839.
Remarks ofMr. WALL, upon the Bill to protect
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| the rights Of married Women.
| Mf. Wall said that the Bill before the Sen
ate, held out inducements for fraud, and that n
system OF smuggling property, and delraudmg
credItors, or any other act sancioning, or
which, in It's tendency, would opeE n door for
fraud, should not be understood by this Senate.
Should this bill become law, it will be an
innovation upon the settled and established laws
OF the Stale, aud the relative position Of man
and wife. am unwilling to pass any law that
Is calculated TO sever the bonds of affection,
and for the call OF discord between those who
would otherwise live happy.
Nothing is better calculated to produce dis
cord IN the domestic relations of man and wife.
They are one III the eye of God, and should be
so by the laws ofmen, and we have the author
ly in holy writ for saying that house divided
against itself cannot stand, and experience be-
tore our eyes every day proves that nothing
VIII sooner cngender, and nothing is moro ei.
iectuaI in sowing discord in private families
than keeping up Of two separate estates in the
same family. The gaantry Of Senato@is APP,
peaed 10, TO induce them TO sustain this Bill
But, Mr.. President, for one will not be dry
EN- thr0gh false sense Of galIantry TO sustain
a measure so fraught with temptations for
fraud and corruption.
/ am not oI>the opinion that there Is any la.
dy who is intelligent, and will exaniurshe SUB
lect cIosey y, and who wishes or expects 10 mar
ry hgbminded, honorable and intelligent
man, who would not take it as an insult TO-
have a contract presented for signature before
marriage, as is provided for in this bill.
tits virtually an attempt to metamorphose
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legislate men into petticoatS aud aomen into
drecches. This bill will reflect great credit
abroad, will it not, Mr., President, upon the in
teIlgence, and standing generally, orlhc gen
!emen Of Mississippi
will now proceed to state the practical cl.
tects oGthis law, as similar one exists in the
State of Louisiana. reside near the State
line: and have witnessed and felt its opera
lions.
Some live years ago, my friend on my right
from the East, carried drove Of cattle 10 Lou
lSana, sold them on short credit TO Mr.. -;
when the income from his crop was upwards
oi S4,ooO-was riding about in his tour-wheel
carriage, with two servants at his call; the
money was not paid, and suit was brought
The execution has long since been returned,
no property found, and the hard earnings of
my friend was fched from his pocket Will
Senators sanction this by legislative cnact-
menis. This same man, Mr.. President, thinks
nothing to give $1,000 for six hounds, (dogs,)
while the poor Iaborer is toiling for that which
he enjoys will only speak for myself, but.
my conscience is not india rubber, sufficient to
stretch over this Bill.
The man assisted by his wife, either by ex-
merchandising, or speculatiug, gets
in debt, says to his wife, have examined my
books and find that have a handsome fortune,
but it will take ii all to pay my debts; the wife
says to the husband, as IS natural, mn dear,
collect all you can and take the money and give
ii TO my father, and father will buy planra-
ton and negroes, and deed it to me, and YOU.
can be my oycrseer and we can live easy, or Il
will employ an oycrseer and you can enjoy
yourseIin the way which you desire. Here
sir, Is the honest creditor d2lrauded and swim.
died and the swnder lives all lis DAYS on the
hard earnings Of others, and even receives the
sanction OF legislative authority. Will any
Who supports the Bill deny this to be
within the power Of any one who chooses 10
act corruP ly, should this bill pass,-and this
indirect robber go unpublished until he shall be
summoned TO the bar Of his God, and the dav
of rctrlbution being SO far distant, will induce
many to draft heavily upon the day of Judge
ment