The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-02-26
speech OF Hon. James Wells, Of Woha .ba

"Peee" VI Ah"n' James Wells, Of Wabasha,
I'm the Bill for the Dirorce of Henri and
Susan Buel, February S, 1853
=, Inc question being on the passage of the bill.
Mr.. Wells rose and said:
Mr.. SPEAKER:-I have some remarks TO mako
by way of explanation for the vote am abopt
to cast. With due Difference, cannot concur
IN the opinions OF the honorable gentleman from
Dakota; MT RandalD who has spoken at length
on this bill. He says this assembly comnnsnn
as it is of old bachelors and young unmarried
men,. This is assuming too much: some nre
married, and that others are not is no fault Of
theirs. inns bill proposes to cut asunder tho
matrimonial bands between two persons who
Tor years have groaned under their oallino
pressure. 1t is rational and it is reasonable for
any member OF this House to enquire of his
own conscience whether it is right to continue
1 1ncse P1IscnS IN such an agonizing position
Inns phi Is IN accordance with the good old
laws that govern the moral as we'll as the nbvS.
zeal world. The object of laws is to promote
harmony, and cause happiness to spread ont
upon the world. The infant has been blest-
the youth led safe along the thorny vale of life
Inc husband heart has been ENCOURAGED
his hopes chcrished-and his home made e cub
iunary Heaven, where all enioy the sof, and
sp'cy breeZes OF true love and friendship. Old
Mo1ner lime as she has been tapping her wines
over 'he ABYSS OF space profound, has never
witnessed change in the intellectual and
moral laws, that govern man and reconcile
woman to her lot. 1t is proper for ms IN hold
last 70 the fundamental laws of government
Inc honorable gentleman from Dakota in bis
reinafKs, says he very much regrets that be h, .
50 iar Deen unable to obtain for bimseIf-o ,,;fa.
anu caiis on every old BACH of this ASSEMBLE, ~
iningle tnelr tears with his. He 6nds tha 80, y.
SO dhcult that it is not to be wonJered ~ ta.
he should vote against all divorces as ~ q. 'nal
he will do. Us ne says
see, sir, by looking over the ;o,r,.,. x,
last session, that this same Mr. BueI annI;o, cue
divorce, but for want of testimony al m.oi, ior
due notice to the lady, the bill proved fa;lu. az
But, sir, no such objection now exists: dna me-
tice has been given; time and testimony orc
now before us to the entire satisfaction Of q
majority of this House. We have the report If
the select committee to whom this bill has been
referred recommending its passage. take it
for granted, this bill may be made n constitu.
uonai act: The Legislature has enacted law
which authorizes the forging of the bands Of
~ naiatrlmony; the same power can certainly an.
.nofize those bands to be severed, if the want
=. capaDility in either party be so great az To
oa sL eitner party to retire from home To cool
S'i pIahs or positions for the one thing need
81 LII mean happiness. think it is the dutv
t Ut every member of this House who hrea uIy
Ine spirtt OF sympathy to vote for tb;s In :.
CONFER blessing on SUFFERING h, ,,,.o ni' 10
shall vote for the bill, believing that n,anly. 1
Of this House will do the same '""' ma)ority