Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-23
HOUSE OF
REMARKs OF
MIR. CLAYTON G.. COLEMAN,
.sr AVN cuaatrS CRY

MIR. CLAYTON G.. COLEMAN,
OF NEW KENT AND CHARLES CITY,
Iroou N, Oh dir,reinx Virginia r. C. Cra,cJor'
from her Husband Wm. a. X. CraicJord.
Mr. COLEMAN said he rose TO move the IN
definite pos;ponement ot the ball. IL Is h'gh tim'
we had set some limit to applications OF this eharac'
ter. The House of Delegates has manifested Toe
strong n disposition to give a favorable ear 10 every
petition for n divorce. Indeed, SIR, l nave heart
members declare, IN their places, their wi'nngness-
.v.- their readiness. to sever these sacred ties when
ever The parties shall have become dissatisfied witt
each o;her. Yes. sir, according TO the principle which
they have established as their rule OF action, " n
any time dissatisfaction should cast its leaden sha
dow over the sunny moments OF their existence
and cause a feeling of discomfort to spring up IL
their bosoms. they have only TO make an applIca'
ton to this House to obtain a full and absolute re-
lease from the sacred and hallowed Obligations o.
the marriage VOW. We had better, by far, abrogate
ali the laws upon the subject of marriage, and intro
duce Mt once into the community the radical doc
tr mes Of Fanny Wright and her party upon the sub
iect Of maitimony, than to counten1nce these loose
and liberal views in regard TO divorces use,
sir. il leads eventually to the recognition and esiab-
lshment Of that demoralizing principle. Sir, l view
this as a most delicate subject regard 1t as one OF
those magazines which should never be approached
hut with the utmos It caution and circumspectlon. IL
withers and shrinks, like the sensitive plant, from
the bare touch of Legislative action. l believe the
granting OF divorces "a vlnculo has a
most demoralizing effect. Ii tends TO break up the
deep foundations Of good society and morality. ln-
deed. 1 must confess | have some constitutional
scruples as TO our power TO annul this high and sa-
cred contract. The Constitution OF the u. States
(Which we have sworn to supporp expressly inhib-
its the Legislature of each State IRON passing any
law impaIring the obligation OF contracts. That
matrimony is a contract of the highest grade, none.
/ presume, will deny. II there existed no fraud
either in its inception or It imposes
an obligation on the parties co-oSistent win Their
lives, which is utterly beyond the reach oil our con-
- 80 .s,An Sir Ok 80 UnW nF
love. devotion and consisncy which they mutually
plighted ut Hymen's altar, utterly precludes the
idea that il ever was intended that their union should
have any other terminus than the natural lives oil
the contracting parties We should revere more
highly the sacred maxim, that those whom God
has iolned together, let no man put asunder."
But, as | did not rise 10 discuss the policy of
divorces, | will content myself by submitting one
or two remarks upon the bill now under consIde-
ration. | have taken upon myself the trouble TO
look over the testimony in this case, and alter
having given il the most mature, impartial and
di,passionaie consideration, | have come most clear
Iv 10 the conclusion that this bill ought not
10 uiss. What reason has been assigned Tor us
pass,ge2 Why, sir, that her husband Is confined in
Inc Penitentiary! If we determine TO divorce ev-
cry woman from her husband, because has not de-
ported himself as we'll after marriage as he did pre-
v.ously; or, iorsooth, because poluilon's foul touch
has blackened his character with mfdmy-we shall
have sufficient business for a 6 d months, aye, q twelve
months session. The facts set forth IN the verdict
of the iusy, DO not show that Crawford had prac-
ticed any fraud whatever upon his wife previously
10 their marriage. IL character was then, IN the
estimation of all, spotess and unexceptionable He
was universally regarded as one OF fortunes Ia
voured sons. Fcom poverty and obscuriIy, he had
attained the very acme OF commercial eminence.
But, subsequent TO their marriage, the iron hand OF
adversely was laid upon him, and he had not the
moral strength and courage to stand up under its
heavy pressure and stem its adverse current. And
sir, for aught | know, It might have been his devo-
ton to hs wife, his own anxiety TO administer 10
her every want, whether imaginary or real, and to
subseTye her every wish, which eventually seduced
him into the fatal error OF furnishing his honor,
which he had previously preserved beyond suspi-
cion's reach. Sir, IT she ever possessed for him the
feelings Of a wife, now in the winter Of his adversi.
~, she would not, she could not desert him. No,
SIR, even though infamy and disgrace had cast their
murky mantle about him; but like the serpentne
vine which entwines the body Of the stately oak OF
the forest, although the lightnings OF heaven shall
descend and strike 1t liteless, stripping IL Of It's yer
dure and its beauty, 1t will still cling TO the lIfeless
trunk, decking and adjoining II with ITS foliage and
is flowers. The letter of Mrs. Crawford, address
sed TO the mother oil her husband, has strongly i'm.
pressed my mind with the belief that she has been
Costced by the threats and perSuaslons OF her father
10 prefer tbs application 10 the General Assembly
of Virginia. Her dependent and pennyless condI-
ton has constrained her 10 do an act which the feel
ings OF her heart condemn. She had 10 make her
se-leclion-either TO be thrown. with her helpless in
liant, a pensioner upon the cold and heartless char
ity ofthe world, or pursue the course which she has
adopted. Doubtless the frailty OF human nature
constrained her TO yield obedience TO the behests of
her father. | may possibly do him injustice; but |
do not believe il. The letter which she addressed
TO the mother OF her husband. recountS his crimes
and misiortUnes with the sensIbilIty and tenderness
OF n wife. Although he stood forth AZ that time be-
fore the world, stripped OF his reputation and brand
ed with infamy, she asowed her determination TO
cling TO him still; and enueated her to communicate
as speedily as possible, any udings which she might
receive from him. That letter bearE evidence upon
ITS face that il was penned free from the influence
OF any restraint whatever that IL was n true and
faithful record of the feelings of her heart towards
that individual from whom this bill proposes 10 d.
Yoree her. IL states that her father had iD;erGicted
oil communication between herself and husband.
He Is seen among the most active Of his persecutors,
and the most determined IN his efforts TO arrest and
bring him 10 the oar OF justice. But, Mr.. Speaker,
there is another party to this bill besides the wife ami
her relations. ! allude to the unfortunate husband,
who is AZ this time ImmurCd within the walls OF the |
Penitentiary Of Kentucky. II we credit his letters,
we must believe he feels a deep interest in The is
sue Of this application: We must believe the cur
rent Of his hearts affections runs as purely, rs deep
ly, and as strongly as ever for his wife: We must
believe the bridal torch which he lighted az Hymen's
altar, burns as brilliantly as ever IN his bosom. And
when he shall have been discharged from PRISON,
this idol ofhs soul will exert a most powerful and
controlling influence in restraining and bringing
him back from the devious paths Of vice, 10 correct
and virtuous habits Of life. She will at once implrg
n high moral tone 10 his character. by elevating and
refining the feelings Of MS heart. She will prove
n most efficient instrument IN operating a perfect
aud complete reformation, and IN restoring him
again 10 the bosom Of society. IL is the hope alone,
of being reunited with her, which lights up the drsary
and cherries cellso his prison house. IL IS to him the
So Faint reflections Of the di stant Light,
(which promise his skies tie bright Ietufn Of day"
Sir. shall we, by the passage Of this bill, oxtinguish
the last and only ray Of hope and happiness which
animates the bosom Of this unfortunate mani Shall
we drive him at once TO desperation and despair,
by plucking this rose of sharon from his bosom,
leaving behind us thorn to rdnk'e and cofrode his
happiness1 No, sir; I for one will not.