Smyrna times., 1859-02-24
DELAWARE STATE CONVENTION
Progressive Bachelors"

W Progressive Bachelors of Delawa re met in Stat
of Convention, at Wards Hall, in The town O
- smyrna, on the evening of Tuesday, Feb 22d
n Wilmington, Middletown, Odessa, Smyrna
!. Dover, Milford, Georgetown, Seaford, and vari
q Gus other boroughs, being well represented
- at O'Clock, the Convention was called t.
,. order by Geo. H. Raymond, on whose motion,
temporary organization was effected by calling
Col. HENRY G. DsUGLAss to the Chair, ant
J appointing NICHOLAS WATKINS, Secretary.
On motion of James p. Hoffecker, the Secre.
L tary called the roll, when about sixty delegate.
e answered to their names.
John L. Evans then moved that committee
: ol SIX two from each county, be appointed BY
the Chair, to report permanent officers for the
r Convention. The motion was carried, and the
following gentlemen were named as constitu.
llng SAID committee: John l.. Evans and Jebu
+. Iharp, of Kent; r. A. Cochran and J. C.
Matthews, of New Castle; and DIR. Hugh
Martin and E. r. Jacobs, of Sussex county.
Tie committee retired, and, after a short ab
sence, returned, and reported as follows;
PreSdent-Robert ii. Cummins, of Kent co
wee Presldents-Wm. r. Cochran, of New
Gastle county e. J. Harrington, of Kent aud
Dr D. w. Maull, of Sussex.
Secretarles-Wm. O'Daniel, of New Castl.
county N. Watkins, OF Kent; and Z. r. Jacobs.
Of Sussex.
On motion of George N. Hazel, the report
was adopted and the COMMITTEE discharged.
Mr.. T., the President, then took the chair
mixing some very pertinent remarks relative
10 MS position as presiding officer, and the Dur.
ro';s Tor winch the convention had assembled
On motion, committee of three, consisting
OF James E. Black, ot Kent co r. A. Cochran.
Ut New Castle, and Peter +. Causey, Jr., Of
SUSSEX was appointed to prepare business for
the convention.
The President then introduced to the CON
VentlOn, Alfred L. Wootten, ESQ, who deliver
ed an address quite appropriate to the occasion.
IL was OF both grave aud humorous character.
and frequently elected the heartiest applause
from the audience. The speaker represented
tue bachelor as being III pItIable position, and
pointed out "the only true and living way
through which he could be elevated to the div |
nlty OF man; the bachelors only hope was IN
woman, the nobleSt and greatest gilt of God "
lie dwelt on the objects Of the convention: re-
lerred to The numerous cases of divorce IN the
State, and hoped something would be done
to benefit our present legislation In con.
GLIDING, he paid tribute to his native county.
"Old Sussex" and said that her bachelor,
would never stop, since they are awakened to
the subject, until they have under their protec.
ton every single lady in the community.
James E. Black, chairman of the committee
to prepare business, reported the following Pre-.
am0Ie aud Resolutions, which were read. viz:
WHEREAS, The Progressive Bachelors of the
town OF Smyrna, at a meeting held at the
" Delaware House., on the night of 18th Jauu-
ary, resolved to call a State Bachelors Conyen.
tI0n, to consider the important topics incident
TO Bachelor life, a'so to cultivate q more social
and friendly Intercourse with each other as well
as TO Consider the present social condition OF i
society; And ohereaS, 1t is proper that all as.
semOlIes which convene for the promotion ot
Ihe puOIlc good, should give free and frank ex-
p,ess'oh 70 opIhlohs which they may entertain;
Therefore, q
l. Ne ii resolved by the Progressive Bqche.
tors ot OetGUdTe, IN State Contention assem-. ,
fted' That single ilie, IN and of itself, is void
VI the real pleasures and pure elements which
alone contribute TO peaceful and con,ented
mind. ,
= ReS0tued, That the Institution of marriape I
Is not only OF Divine orIgln but essential to = .
development and cultivation of the bcalthtul
influences which elevate the morals; and thai
men are so constituted as to be most baDpv
when they live IN the faithful discharge of the
hIgh duties devolvlng upon them as moral and
intellectual beings.
3. ResoLUed That homes best create that in. =
dlvldual interest in the public welfare which is
the trmest security OF Republics nd that ma.
trlmOny Is therefore u national interest
IT, RESOLVED, That the present absurd amb- i
ton TO excel IN ServIiy at the shrine of Fashion
ls not only an anomaly IN a community which
Ooasts It's freedom, but induces a degree of ex-
travagance which presents a serious obstacle IN
entrance into the marriage relation; and Thai
10 the opnIon OF this Convention, the colors of
ParIs were better rellnquished for the banner at
American economy. I
D. ReS0tUed, That alliances formed for pecu.
mary advancement, or with ideas of aristocratic
iamly antiquity, are not only contrary to the
institutions OF our national government, but de t
s'ructve of the finer feelings and affections
which make the happy home.
o. ReSotUed, That ultra fashions and cold
tormalIty are unnatural appendages to sociuI
enjoyment and hIndrances to the deyelonmen, q
of real worth.
Z. RESOLVED, That we do not recognise the
principles advocated by the "W oma MS Rights"
women, nor do we believe their ADOPTION of a
portion OF the male attire, in any style, add to ,
the dignity of their sex.
3. ResolUed, That we have no sympathy
with, or fellow feeling for those who are known
as fast young men," and that our coudemna.
ton OF that exquisite class of society is only
equalIed by our zeal for the permanent success
oil this Association.
.. ReSOIOed, hat health is the best BLESSING
of life, and that all fashions winch. prove dele.
ferrous to the sume should be discarded.
lO. ReS"LUed. That the term " Spruce Old
BachelOrs--the cvergreens of society" which