Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-16
A Novel marriage settlement.

Of this month, which presented some features
without precedent, we believe, in this or any
other country.
The bride was Miss Lucy Stone, distinguish
ed champion of the disputed rights of negroes and
women. The groom was Henry b. Blackwell,
ESQ, who is likewise an active apostle of the
same Sect Sympathy of opinions begat sympa-
thy of sentiment, and finally, from being twain
they would become one flesh. But how to do
this without betrayng the great principles of free
dom to which both stoud pledged before the pub
lie, was the question. 10 get the laws altered SO
as to equaze their rights and duties in the mar
ried relation was difficult if not impossible, and
would involve delay, to which the fervency of
their passion could not be reconciled. They fl
nay hit upon an eXpedlent which they concu-
ded would secure their rights and their anticpa-
ted matrimonial bliss at the same time. What
that expedent was is thus described by the Rev.
II. w. Higginson, of<W orcester, Massachusetts,,
who officiated on the occasion, in communca
ton to the Worcester Spy:
sit was my privilege to celebrate May Day by
officiating at wedding, in farm house among
the hills of West Bloomfield. The bridegroom
was a man oftried 'fbrth, a leader in the western
anti.savery .tovement; and the bride was one
whose fair fame is known throughout the nation
-one whose rare intellectual qualities are excell-
ed by the private beauty of her heart and life.
Il never performed the marriage ceremony
without renewed sense of the iniquty of our
present system of laws, in respect TO marriages.
system by which man and wife are one, and that
one is the husband 1t was with my hearty con-
currence, therefore, that the following protest was
read and signed, as part OF the nuptial ceremo-
ny, and | send it to you, that others may be in-
duced to do likewise. 7. W. II.
While we acknowledge our mutual affection
by publickly assuming the sacred relationship of
husband and wife, vet in Justice to ourselves and
great principle, we deem it a duty to declare
that this act on our part implies no sanction of,
nor promise of voluntary obedience to, such of
the present laws of marriage, as refuse to recog
nze the wife as an independent rational being,
while they confer upon the husband an injurious
and unnatural superiority, investing him with le-
gal powers which no honorable man would exer-
cise and which no men should possess.
We protest especially against the laws which
give to the husband
|. The custody Of his wife's person.
2. The exclusive control and guardianship of
their children.
5. The sole ownership of her personal, and use
of her real estate, unless previously settled upon
her, or placed in the hands of trustees, as in the
case Of minors, lunatics and idiots.
A. The absolute right 10 the product of her in
dustry.
5. Also against laws which give to the widow
er so much larger and more permanent an inter
est IN the property of his deceased wife, than
they give to the widow in that Of her deceased
husband
g. Finally, against the whole system by which
.'the legal existence of the wife is suspended du
ring marriage" SO that in most States she neither
has legal part in the choice of her residence,
nor can She make will, nor sue or be sued in
her own name, nor inherit property.
We believe that personal independence and E.
quail human rights can never be forfeited, except
for crime that marriage should be an equal and
permanent partnershp,an so recognised by Law
should provide against the radlcainjustce pres
ent laws, by every means in their power.
We believe that where domestic difficulties a
rise. no appeal should be made to legal tribunals
under existing laws, but that all difficulties
should be submitted to the equitable adjustment of
arbitrators mutually chosen.
Thus, reverencing law, we enter our earnest
protest against rules and customs which un-
worthy Of the name, since they violate justice, the
essence of all law
(Signed,) HENRY B. BLACKWELL.
Lucy STONE.
The New York Post comments on the above as
fellows:
The unusual precautions taken by the subscri-
bers to this protest. not to be cheated in the bar
gain they have just made, doubtless have their
origin in acquaintance with each others charac-
ter and propensities, which the public generally
does not possess. 1t is not safe, therefore, for
stranger to venture a criticism upon them But
there is one omission to which we may venture 10
allude, aud which we can hardly account for ex-
cept upon the suppostion that their expectations
from the future are more limited than young per
sons commonly entertain when entering into the
marriage relation. There is no provision that
Mr.. Blackwell shall make his share of the baby
clothes,
A HUSBAND FOR DAY.-A very funny farce
is sometimes presented to the public, called "A
Nabob for an Hour" A meo drama has recent
ly been enacted in St. Adams, Vermont which may
be denominated "A Husband for a Day" A