The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-26
the srEPDAU0HrER WEDDING.
James Pnrton's Petition far tho Lceaiization
Of hls Marriage.

Fr0fn the Boston GfDbs
MI. James Parton has filed the following
portion for a special act legalzing hts marriage
with his stopdaughter Ellen Willis Eldredge,
which certainly goes to show that his new re-
lati0n was taken not only With the warm ap-
provll Of friends, but ih the confidence that II
was strictly legal. And with II IL died a "sup-
Elementary petition" by Newburyport citizens {;
he Ieinion Of james Iurton and Ellen EGrei0e FUR
2n 70 ss H2nsra6e ssass and hoa, or representa-
me attention ~ your Ionoraole oodl,s ie most re
sbectiu SOLICITED to TIC tolowi2g siatemen, Of fcts
sachuscts, Maria was celebrated between James
sqa E2 W o C o 20 M
known to either VI hem or g the witnesses OF the
cense was procured the ceremony was performed oy
clergyman resident In t1e town, several witnesses
Newbupport Herrd VI the next morning. All vas
since ssceriined with the warm approval Of ali Who
are acquain.ed with the ciIeumsances OF our case.
IeS.ra Tie ei,ss q the second dsy our at At;
i he State to" OF Mssaehusett, I PRO bius mar
RACES between man aud his wife's ddugnieT. which
had the least knowledge or suspicion Of the existence
learn. are lawful IN SgStcen States 81 he Union one
which Is New lors where hoth of US until recently.
hsd susses ed to Us tho po.si5y Of ihi @srriSs oe
ing unaMinl We should have scarcely deemed tao mat.
possessed ~ the idea mat all pr hbions OF that ma
t appears to be the essential principle OF American
institutions that where there IL no natural right tuere
shall BE- no lega iight and where there Is no natur
wrong there snail DO NO legal wrong ana where there
ment In former alton there had been no SAVIOR
OF parental hna feeling. United for some wears past
IN an interesting ana sacred charge our fortunes not
uneqna the disparity 10 our ages neither extreme nor
unusual members OF the same household marriage
old but complete aud snnctlN tic when was already
strong and con deniel IN an u1uspal degree.
riagc, immediately resumed our former relation,
and no LONGER lived under the same roof After uue
cslons and legislation bearing the subject acting
upon the advit Of eminent counsel Doth Of Massachu
sets and New YORK. and oens exceedingly desroas q
obtaining sanction % law Tor marriage which could
not be annuled, we repaired to the Stat Of New Ork
where We were married second time, on the l0th OF
that ate. We Gid not leave the State OF Massachu.
Massschu'eit.,, but g comply With The most
-, that marriage shall have legal sarcton. We are
assured by learned counsel that now liwfuliy
sateOf Massachusetts. The doubt Is concerning our
LEGAL condition here. whore It Is Of vital I'M
4 prlSiceS t. i've The weight "' of opnion =.
rs we are advised, Is, that our marriage Is valid
IN this sate 80. and that We may i've mere IN peace
ara hnn0r But please our hon lrabe bodies, II Is
ncccs-arr for The iignty and comfort Of our vcs.
Wen as tor the interest OF virtue ant good order. tn4t
this doubt should 90 removed. We therefore most
respectfully ASA the passage OF special act legazing
the marriage contracted in NeNburypOrt, ABOVE
We aware of the manifold eYis ana inConventen
ces resulting from special legislation. anu OF has
nNegh, against T. BON puoicly qua prl,ateH, wtn
assug the Legs ure OF Massachusetts 10 pass an act
enabling Us 20 marry. We should stand condemned oy
nc opinion which is Justly adverse TO legislation de-
signed for the exclusive benent Of indlvIduns. But
here marriage most nnocenty ntracted in viola
that nOthing can now undo IL. We feel, ad-
Vsed that only special act OF the General Court can
completely set right with Comm 0nweatn held BY
Us b0th ~ love aud VeneratOn.
All Of which IL most respee fully submitted.
jams PARTON,