Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-20
LANCASTER. SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 90, ls47

committees. 100 much was reported to
the convention. and it occupied gre at
Iportion Of its time to reject the sur
lplusage.
II is wellissown that at an early day
There arose two factions among the
democratic party, which continued OPP
posed to each other Throughout the SEES
sion. allude to the fact. for the sake
of showing its effects, without specu-
lating upon its causes, or imputing
blame to any one. This state of things
produced suspicion, jealousy, hostility
and every other emotion, which would
most unfit mems minds for making
constitutional law.
The convention was unfortunately
constituted in another respect, which
| can best show by an Illustration
One may have four horses, each one of
which may be excellent. yet no two Of
them will work well together. The
convention, although it contained
many worthy and talented members,
did not work well as body. No
blame, then, is necessarily TO be i'm
puted to the individual members of
that body, because their work is i'm
perfect, since they labored under so
many adverse circumstances beyond
their control.
But it is time to come to the consti-
tuition itself, and will first speak Of
the section on the rights of mar
women. And here let me premise
what will also be applicable to other
parts of the discussion, that there is no
doctrine however erroneous, in sup
port OF which plausible arguments
may not be urged. Upon all subjects
of moral or political nature, if we
wish to arrive at correct conclusions,
we must endeavor TO well oomprc-
bend the subject, and strike the bal
lance OF truth. Especially is that the
case with laws. Every law some
times produces evil. The passenger
who goes voyage npon ship APP
parently s,aunch and well-manned
may be drowned by reason of unsea-
worthiness. and thus loose his life,
without any fault Of his, but by the
operation of law of nature. BY
another law OF nature, all mankind
must die. II seems to operate very
hardly at times. and perhaps some leg
Iislature, with its limited knowledge. il
it had the power, might modify 1t;
but Deity is wiser than we are. Those
who have seen one or two great evils,
apparently caused by our present laws,
and have not observed the thousand
beneficial Influences which those laws
are continually and silently exerting
upon every department of society.
may undertake TO remedy those evils.
and by so doing, cause others of ten
fold greater magnitude. Such think
was the cause of the adoption OF this
section. and such | think will be its ef-
feet. Let US anticipate somewhat its
operation, and see whether its good or
evil consequences will predominant.
If the wife is to hold "A separate
property. in her own name, she mus,
have the means of protecting It. II il
is trespasscd upon. she must be able to
bring suits in her own name. She
will then be sole plaintiff. II she can
sue she must also be liable to be sued.
If she is to have the power of keeping
her property separate from that Of her
husband. and subject in no manner to
his control, she must have the power
of suing him. as well rs others. If he
interferes with it. she can sue him in
trespass, and confnc him in Jail on ex
ecution, for Imprisonment is allowed
in actions Of tort. She will have the
power Of selling her property, ex
changing it, buying other property
for it is an essential requisite Of prop
erty that one can do what they please
with it, and it is contrary 10 the policy
OF laws to tic it up and prevent lis be-
ing disposed OF. She can then con-
tract and be contracted with, execute
bonds, mortgages, deeds. notes and all
other Instruments. She can form "a
partnership in business with her hus-
band. under the name Of John Doc &
wife, or 'Mary Doc & husband or
NAV add another, and have It John
Doe, wife, & Tom Nokes,' or she may
form a partnership with Nokes alone,
or with Others added, or there may
be dormant partners, and it will be
none the husbands business who are
her partners or parsmours. She may
engage in any kind Of business. at any
hour or place. and with any body
The Bible says that woman shall leave