Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-05-11
From the New York Evening Post
A Novel Marriage Settlement.

Novel Marriage Settlement.
A marriage soiemnized at farm house il
West Bloomfield, in Massachusetts, on the first of
this month, which presented some features without
precedent we believe, IN this any other country
The BRIDE was Miss Lucy Stone distinguished
champion of the disputed rights of negroes and wo-
men; the groom was Henry B. Blackwell, Esq, who
is likewise an active apostle of the same sect SYM
pathy of opinions begat sympathy of sentiment, and
hnalIy, from being twain they would become one
flesh But how to do this without betraying the
great principles of freedom to which both stood
pledged before the public the question. To get
the laws altered SO as TO equalze their rights and
duties in the married relation was difficult if not i'm
possible, and would involve delay to which the
| terVency OF their passion could not be feconciIed
lhey hnaliy hit upon an eXpedent which they con-
cluded would secure their rights and their Anticipated
matrimonial bliss at the time. What that ex-
pedlent was is thus described by the Rev + w
Higglnson, of Worcester, (Mass.) who oficiated on
the OCCASION
PROTEST.
While we acknowledge our mutual affection, by
publicly assuming the sacred relationship of husband
and wife, yet in justice to ourselves and great prin-
cIple we deem duty to declare that this act on
our part implies sanction Of promise of volun-
ary obedience to- such of the present laws of marraqe
as refuse to recognize the wife independent ra-
honal helEg, while they confer upon the husband an
injurious and unnatural superiority investing him
with legal powers which no honorable man would ex-
erclse and which no man should possess
We protest especially against the laws which give
TO the husband
l. The custody Of his wifes person.
2. The exclusive control and guardianship of their
children.
8. The sole ownership of her personal and use of
her real estate unless previously settled upon her. or
placed III the hands of trustees in the case of mi
ners, lunatics, and idiots
f. The absolute right TO the product of her indus
| try.
5. Also against laws which give to the widower so
much larger and more permanent interest in the
property of his deceased wife than they give to the
widow in that of her deceased husband
o. Finally, against the whole system by which
the legal existence of the wife is suspended during
marriage" SO that in most States she neither has a
legal part in the choice of her residence she
make will, nor sue or be sued in her own name,
nor inherit property
! We believe that personal independence and equal
human lights can be forfeited except for crime
| that marriage should be equal and permanent
partnership, and so recognised by law; that until it
is so recognised married partners should provide a.
ganst the radical INJUSTICE of present laws by every
means In their power.
We believe that where domestic difficulties arise no
appeal should be made to legal tribunals under exist
ing laws but that all difficulties should be submitted
10 the equitable adj ustment of arbitrators mutually
chosen.
Thus, reverencng law, we enter our earnest pro-
test against rules and customs which are unworthy
of the name since they violate justice, the of
all law. HENRY B BLACKWELL,
LUCY STONE.
The unusual precaution taken by the subscribers
to this protest. not to be cheated in the bargain they
have Just made, doubtless have their origin
quantance with each others character and propen-
sites which the public generally does not possess 1t
is not safe therefore, for stranger to venture crti-
! clsm upon them