Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-01-20
SPEECH.
SPEECH.
OfMr. NOGGLE, Of Rock, in Conrea.
ton, on The Article on Exemption, and
the rights of Married Women.

1 -
The gentleman from Racine
condemns the article for two reasons: Isl:
because the constitution Of Texas contains
similar provisions, and I'd, because no
such provisions are contained in The con-
stIluiion of any other State. Therefore
Wisconsin must forbsar, she must not ex-
pertinent, she must not improve.
will answer the first objection, by sim
ply saying that wheaa'exas does a correct
or good thing. Wisconsin should have suffi>
Gle n. sense ofjustice. to give her credi, for
II, anc not pass condemnation upon correct
principles merely because they had then
origin in Texas. As 10 the second obiec-
ton, have only to say, to form the very
highest Democratic authority, the princi-
pies contained in tue Texas constitution
upon the subject ol-Arotecfiag the righls
Of married women s.1 OF exemption Of
properly are strongly recommended and
highly approved | would also say that
the age r which we live is an age Of i'm.
provemenl as much for Wisconsin as any
other state in the Union.
II is said that the article is properly a
Statute Law, and should not be liz the con
s'nulIon, Sir, there are strong reasons
why this article shonld be in the Constitu-
ton, if it exists at all. First, because il
is the declaration of grea, general prin>
cl2ie, and should be uniform and permas
nent, and should be placed beyond the
power OF the legislature to increase or di.
minish, alter or repeal at pleasure; other
wise, momentary excitement would tend 10
interfere unfavofaby with great general
principles, and would thereby produce an
unsettled State of things 10 the grea, injury
OF both debtor and creditor, all Of which
Will be most eleclual!y reminded by the
constitutional provision. The whole mat
ter 10 relation 10 the practicable operation
as to detail is with the Legislature, and with
that body the friends of the measure are
now willing to leave it, believing that they
will provide amply for carrying into effect
the true spirit, meaning, and intention of
the fundame law. five should finally
make this article Il portion Of the Con.
sltuiion without fixing the value of the
real estate exempted thereby the legisla-
ture will take care ofthat deficiency. But,
sir, believe that all such inperlections
will yet be perfected be fore our Cons,i,u-
ton is finally completed. | am in favor
Of fixing the value Of the forty acres of
land SO That ii shall not exceed one ,hous
and dollars. But The enemies of the ar,i.
Gle as y@t9have prevented the friends ma
king the improvement, they desire. -
The gen:lems.. from Racine appears to
pass ~os.~lsr.rsrs' tol. 4rs-sg Conyc1stion
for their treatment Of himself and the gen.
,leman from Milwaukee, F Mr.. Tweedy.I i
With that have nothing 10 do: have dis
covered no improper treatment towards
either gentlemen upon this floor.
Reference is made to able arguments
made against the first section of this arl-
Gle as proof positive that we should no,
support ii, and that it must be worong -
Does It follow as matter Of course that
right is always on HE side Of able argu-
mentsa dues an able argument make a
false position correct? No one donb,s that
either of the gentlemen referred to can
make able speeches, even on behalf of
false and incorrect positions. LIDO not de
ny that in discussing the section in rela-
ton 10 the rights of married women. and
finally the whole article, the gentlemen
who oppose ii have played the lawyer well
yet the verdict of this Convention, and the
verdict of the people of this new State will
be against them upon this subject.
Sir, think have Witnessed more un-
fairness in the discussion Of this article
thar any other before the conventions; both
the gentlemen from Racine, Mr. S and
Mr.. X, and the gentleman from Miwau-,
kee, MIR. T.-haye assumed the basis of
their arguments that females, that wives,
are common combinations OF fraud, decep.
ton and dishonesty No other construc.
ton can reasonably be put upon their argu
menis; yet have too much charity to be
lieve that they will willingly subscribe to
such doctrine. No sir; il is an ina gina
ton, produced by flashing themselve into
an excitement upon false and erroneous
idea that all is about to be lost merely be
cause we ale inclined to extend some small
rights TO the better half Of man as we'll as
TO man himself. Sir, these gentlemen tell
us that the gentle fir sex are SO destitute
of virtue and integrity, that they will sell
their peace for pence. Always in the mar
ket ready 10 trafiice away their domestic
happiness for dollars and cents. That the
intelligence, integrity, virtue aud excel
lence of your mothers, your wives and
your Daughters depends wholly upon leg
lsiative action; consequently they are
greatly concerned for all future husbands
If This article should finally be adopted.
Sir, | hope every member upon this
floor will reflect for one moment upon the |
character and true worth of that class of
poor helpless females that will be benefited
By the article under consideration. They
are generally unfortunate beings Let
every member ask himself the question, Is
i, true that the mother that gave m birth,
who SO kindly watched over The tender
years Of his infancy with SO much care
and affection, would barter away her af
lection, her parental kindness, aud her
devotion, for pence? Is it true that his
bosom companion. the Young, intelligent:
and lovely. with oil her apparent innocence,
who for his personal worth and merits
alone abandoned The parents rich and
stately mansion, separated herself from
friends that were dear To her, TO em
bark with her bare handed husband for The
far west. taking in all probability the las,
farewell of friends, affiuence and luxury,
would ever for the mere paltry considera.
lion Of dollars and GEMS. become the tyrant
Of him she loved and adoredi Who believes
that merely giving her the right by the
r.