New-York tribune., 1869-05-06
EUROPEAN NEWS BY MAIL.

! MARRIAGE WITH DECEASED WIFES SISTER
| DEBATE IN THE ENGLISH HOUSE OF
| COMMONs--A SPEECH OF JOHN BRIGHT.
! On April 21, the bill for legalizing, not
merely prospoctiyely but rcospecvey. marriage with
deceased wifcs sister, occupied the House OF Commons
The bill has repeatedly before Parliament, and Is
under the charge OF Mr. Thomas Chambers who argued
the question at length. The discussion naturally
Travelled familiar ground On the other hand 1t was
couteuded that these marriages, while free from
scrptura prohibition, were recOmmcndcdby convenience
and cxpedency that the law against them was frequently
violated and that in other countries objection
made 10 them The opposite view was that custom and
sentiment were opposed 70 such unions that TO cgazo
them now would shock and disturb the settled notions
which prevailed in regard TO marriage that an element
OF dstrust would be introduced into the domestic rca-
tons between and his wifes sisters, as well rs
between the married sister and the rest and that tho
Ioosencs5 OF tho marriage law IN other countries
rather warning than an inducement 10 England TO
follow in the SIR Bright said:
have never opened my lips upon this question in tho
House and for this reason, that Ike the b for tho nd
mission of Jews to Parliament, have never heard an
argument against II that required 10 be answered iear
hearl Like the measure 70 which have referred, II Is
question Of sentiment rather than Of argument Hear
hearl have never yet-and feel satisfied shall
hcaran argument such as an honest ana learned
lawyer would fairly offer TO learned judge against the
proposition Hear hearl VIII not Follow the cccles
astical speeches think tho less we nave o ecclesa5
cal discussion u this House tic better Hear, hcarl
recollcct q distinguished relative OF my honorable
and learned friend, the solcitorGencral, in ono
priests" as MS that yex and dcsolate our NOR
tol life; Little ,fympathy as ] have, With war
not that the mischefs which they have inflicted
upon have been greater than those we have su
ICbeers aud counter-cheers Generally ii Is admitted
that there is no authority IN the Old Testament 10 sup
port or Justify the present state Of the Law; but II there
be divine law for IT, ask tho House whether II you
concerned in it, and you propose TO interfere with
their national liberty in regard to it, ask whether you
ought not 20 have clear and overwhelming case for
iufgTfeFgueef ItleeTsl
fairly stated The arguments relied upon IN support ~
tie law as It now stands arc purely visionary and
prophetc bnt not only is the principle Of the law de.
gsrded y that nation which most nearly resembles our
tcIvee-tIe Fggsh nation on the other side OF the
roposition now made. where IS the natural law
marriage OF first cousins Is permitted In England but Is
the marriage Of first cousins than the marriage Of
man with deceased wites sisteri Hear hear And
strain at this gnati lCheers am told by great au-
thoes that this Is bill 20 abolish ssters-n.law.
lLaushter Ihere "a no nan ~ the "0rld VINO should DC
30 sorry tnat sistersinJaw should be abolished AS l
shouia TOT Know no one "o 1nCIe 90 % ss
terslnlaw IMAM am In the Uhtcd stateb-and tleTe
moral society In the Christian world than Is 10
be found In the New England States OF tho Republic OF
Amerca-these marriages are not dlsc9uraged. ,Ihey
take place with ordinary frequency and never heard
ble and loyeable persons in the family that they
country 1t has been said that once the rcia-
ton OF aunt is lost or merged IA that OF the step
IlAltIt ledOuh4ch wiz hlIiuE W. 'iu nv phSihk
viii DO preferred to those OK her deceased sister Now,
It notorious that there have been multitudes OF
Whero dying mother has Hoped tnat her sister might
become nearer sense than their aunt, the prOteo
tress aud friend Of those she left behind her Hear
hear It is thing TO DO told In repre-
tenaons on the stage, that sepmOters are not KIND 10
lhe children that they TO take care or believe IN
the vast majority OF cases, statement can DO moro
siandcrous than that; but II there be anything In IT,
OF the household may be supposed free from such
charge, and the husband may cOnfde TO her,
win TIC utmost confidence, the care OF those
VINO nave been bereft OF their mother. Hear,
hear.I Ihls question has troubled for
years ana u 10 now time that should be rid OF It,
OF talk eccesiasca rubbish about aughterl-6ut as
question affecting many thousands OF people OF this
country In their nearest and dearest interests know
men and women married In violation Of this law who are
looking forward 10 this debate with interest which no
debate in this session has exceeded even approached
ana say, on question grave TO them and which on
your own showing admits OF much doubt, / think /
tOr tat is all ask-the principle that the common IN.
erty OF men ana women In the chief concern OF their
lives, should not 90 inerfered with by law Of Para.
men which has no foundation In nature, and no auho
! " in revelation. lCheers.J
On division the second reading OF the bill was carried
by 2l3 20 lA-a majority of co. On the announcement ~
the gures there was some applause from advocates OF
tie measure in the ladies cage.
| DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN sERRANO AND PRIM.
Under date Of April 20 the Madrid correspon
dent of The London Star writes: "Prin and serrano
have had another great quarrel but again reconcod
-outwardly This time free trade lighted the torch Of