Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-23
Explanation.

Mr.. EDITOR: VIII you allow me
space in your columns for a personal ex-
PLANTATION? | wish 10 render satisfaction,
so far as it is in my over, TO gentle
man Mr.. Jonathan Elkins, Of N. Troy
whose peace, and that of his family, |
was unknowingly the instrument of dis
turbing, to set my own actions in their
true light, and to give those who have
similar power in their hands the benefit
of my experience. The affair in which
was unhappily concerned was the mar
riage of his son, Oscar II. Elkins, under
circumstances very trying to the feelings
Of an honorable man. The facts Of the
case are these: The son is yet a minor.
His marriage, at any rate during minor
iiy, had been expressly forbidden by his
father. This particular matter which had
been suggested by the son to his father,
had met, from the entire family, the most
unqualified disapproval, and that for the
best of reasons in short, tIe young wo-
man had never been acquainted with or
approved by the family.
These facts have learned from the
lips of the father. How will the rep
reservations Of the son ard his accom-
plice, one Clark, of Barton, tally with
these tue public shall see. On the even
ing Of Wednesday, the 23d Of April,
Carlos Clark called upon me to perform
marriage ceremony with respect to this
man. | must say that, though without
any personal acquaintance withlhim, from
never having heard anything against him,
| inferred that I've was decent enough
sort Of man, and at least commonly
truthful. My Hesitation and inquiry
ELECTED from him the following state
ments That the parties '0ere both Of
age, that they had been engaged for orer
t,co years, that tie ysuHg 'goman lad liz
ed an tie family If Mr. Elkjns senior,
that he { Clark ,pas acquainted acjM The
whoIe history Of The affair, 'Cih the con
"eetions Of both parties, and hot lie kaeV
The present match to hare the consent and
agreement IF all daripg any concern ,c|h
it. This latter assertion was repeated to
me twice once at my house and again on
the way to his where the thing was 10 be
done, aud with repeated requests TO give
my self trouble, II was all perfectly
right. These statements were distinctly
made in the cour.e of our interview.
Upon this | made little account that they
had not been published, as the practice
generally throughout the state agrees so
little with the law respecting that matter.
Upon these assurances | performed the
marriage.
Ii is not to be wonder,d at that an ag-
rrieved parent, thinking the service had
been carelessly done, without asking any
questions, shonld demand through his
lawyer an explanation. | first answer
ed ms demand with personal interview,
and ] am glad to bear witness of the
manly and honorable spirit in which Mr..
Elkins has accepted my explanations.
And for his sake first, and my own sec
second, | desire the public to understand
the exact facts and merits Of the case.
hope a generous public will rightly es.
innate bis disclaimer of all consent or
agreement TO the affair, and will visit me
with no sterner verdict than a needless
ness in taking the word Of man so little
known to me as was the aforesaid Clark
and that all properly disposed persons
who have the power TO marry will give
due consideration to the natural infer
epces from this experience of their sin
esre well-wisher.
BENZ. w, POM.
Barton, May 90 1862.