The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-02-12


traced to an uncongenial marriage. This, sir,
but shows with what meekness the opposite sex
bear the ills and mseries of life, and how re-
luctant they are to come before legal tribu-
nal, OF what some may be pleased to term le-
gal tribunal Legislative body to ask redress
for their wrongs.
1t is not my purpose neither is it necessary
to review all the testimony presented in this
case, for by examining one of the dispositions
you have the whole evidence, as the last is but
a repetition of the former. The dispositions
amount to the same in sum and substance as
presented in the petition before you-and in
fact in every petition that ever heard read,
that had the same object in view, with this ex.
ception perhaps in little milder FORM
brought before the Legislature, would induce
its members to observe for themselves, whether
the ladies are such inhuman creatures as their
traducers would lead US to believe.
The grave charges upon which the applica-
ton is founded, are that Mrs. Susan Buel, law.
full wife of the petitioner, Henry Buel, would
often leave her home to spend the day with her
neighbOrs-tO say the least a very fashionable
recreation. That she would forget to come
home in a reasonable time, and would OCCASION
ally be absent two or three days at a time
That her husband was compelled to cook the
dinner, wash the dishes, and sometimes wash
the clothes; and one deponent declares that he
has actually seen the aforesaid Henry Buel
hanging out the clothes that had been recent
| ly washed; and that Mrs. BUel would look
| cross at her husband when he came home be-
fore dinner was ready. And think the same
deponent says that Mrs. Buel possesses most
violent temper. and would storm at him in the
most furious manner, and that she was in fact
such woman as no person could tolerate; and
all unite in saying that she is regardless of her
husband comfort-indifferen to the happiness
lec kor1 III all ca
and mother.
One or two Opponents assert that she is IDIOT
ic; at least she at times appears very strange.
l will refer to the petition again. l think it
says that the said Susan Buel is at home with
her mother; that she has quite enough money
to support her comfortably at home; without
marrying again) and that she can live more
comfortably with her mother than with any
body else. 1t further says that her parents are
in good circumstances; or what might be term
ed wealthy; and without any argument upon
! this point, let me ask what could have induced
a man of Mr.. Buel's good sense to marry such
a woman one that is declared on oath to be
imbicile? one that possesses pcculiarities and
excentricites such as have been set forth in the
petition and dispositions presented for your
consideration? All, sir the love of money il
the root of all evil; and if it was the desire of
Mr.. Buel to obtain the hand of Susan Oaks
that he might obtain her dollars, how fittingly
and feelingly may he exclaim in the language
of the Rambler: Money can neither open
new avenues to pleasure, nor block up the pas
sagcs of anguish.
l do not charge the petitioner with such
mercenary motives; but from the evidence and
the circumstances, you can each draw your
own conclusions.
L nave not had an opportunity 10 examine
TINS evidence niinutely, neither DO wish to do
so. Inc evidence is exparte only; from which
we cannot justly decide In favor OF the petition.
er; neither can the case go by default, as l will
sho" ny 'he statutory law hereafter.
=, Is very cIear 70 me; SIT mat lne courts are
tne proper ana tne Ohiy proper places TO try
civil SUITS they are the only proper places 1or
nearing lcstiihoh!, anu arc the only places that
was assigned by our statute TO bring cases OF
tnIs character. 10 snow the pfeclpitency with
WI, wnich ln,s part OF lhe duty assigned TO honora,
bauatofnn" I'll, ,..S n'a III uisohai seu
heretofore, VIII refer to the fact that many OF
you are aware o. 'hat not less tnan iour per
sons tnat nave come before previous Legisla-
lures In TINS territory, with petitions and COM
plants similar 10 'hose now before YOU and by
lheih aione nave oo,aihed dVorce, are again
rchlarrieo' ana 10 take iheir own word Tor 1t
are wing Nun 'ne most veritaplc devils IN ex-
:. e,,, vas =. ncic Win on ther part! OF
Mae !. iaiiacy on ours be ms as II may, Tor
one am urea OF capriclous legislation.
from the TWO scores OF divorce bills that
nave been granted in Minnesota since she had
Legislature, not more than three at most
.nas were not aeeiued upon from eNparte testi-
1 lnony a.onu' anu some OF mem rom no evil
uence at an otner IMAM such petitions as the
, one presented IN ms instance; and do not
Know tnat an oath was even administered.
nu,' ST. one 'nlhg l 90 Know, and it has
80 "een 10 me- ana is now source OF conso-
iatiofi' ana that Is, IN nearly ever INSTANCE upon
lhe passage OF those bills, when You find my
name upon the Journals, you may find opposite
10 ~ an emphatic No. And if there is an cx-
cePtion, although those that have been wrong
ed ny my action may never justify me- yet in
.ne sigH1 OF MN who deals gently with the err
mig * an nope may nhd forgiveness.
VI the constitutionality of our action in
thesc premises, will not attempt TO discuss, as
have little doubt you will investigate the
matter sufficient to satisfy your own conscien-
ces before you will give your votes in favor of