, 1876-01-15
A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
The Daughter ofa Michigan Ex-COn:.rcss-
man J0fniu. Hands With a Free-Loyer.

man Joining Hands With Free-LoVer.
From the Detroit Free Press
Rudolph Strickland, of c,- Johns, ex-mem-
Der of Congress from Michigan, has for seve-
raj years been leading member of the
Michigan Woman's Suffrage Association
To such be introduced his daughter referred
10 below at ut the woman's suffrage meet
ings, and took measures to secure her promi-
nent recognition as speaker at such assem-
blages Miss Matte Strickland Is Young
woman of about twenty years, of pleasing
personal appearance, well formed. fair and
rosy complexion, beautiful hair, usually
worn in ringlets, and person of considerable
conversational ability. Her recent oonjugal
contract has excited much comment III St.
Johns, the home of her parents, WHO are
grief-stricken at her untOward conduct In
reference 10 it she writes as follows from
Whitewa,er, Wisconsin. November 16, 10
the St, Johns RepI!iaga:
Judging by your past Kindness, You will
allow me to use your columns as q mems Cf
stating TO my home friends the position
have taken upon the social question.
- l enclose you a copy of Il contract I have
recently sigued, and ask you 10 publish it to-
gether with my letter. | take this position
after months OF the most irtense agony. For
nearly two years have realized that, how
ever devotedly might love, could not take
upon myself the legal bonds of marriage, for
believe them 10 be founded on the princi-
pie Of master and slave. 1t matters not that
as we have progressed in intelligence the
brutal features, it sill stands the altar upon
which are constantly being laid the highest
and most beautiful hopes of men and women.
Living only few years, aud those III
our quiet village, l have yet seen around me
such ghastly spectres OF buried hopes and
lost ambitious az to make me shudder when
ever the marriage bell pealed forth Its hollow
sounds. Bright girl friends, who few
years ago laughed and danced in joyousness,
now drag their weary bodies Just thus side of
the grave, daily praying to die. Deny this
not know il, aud SO do yOu all. The ex-
cessive demands OF husbands they are not
adapted 70, the constant blighJirg fear of
maierni'y-w hen that should be the golden
hope OF wumanhuod-rhe soul-destroying sub
lection IF one individual to another, the In
difference and disgust that spring from en-
forced familiarity, are sapping the strength
of body, mind and soul of the women Of our
little town; and nh.,t Is true of St. Johns is
true OF the whole country
. Case after case Ia. cOrne 10 my knOwl-
edge, until I have burned 20 ri~e teforu yyn
and tell the lIu rs know.
"The hopes of my dearest friends havs
held ue back and | contess 10 YOU that mere
than year ago was over persuaded to drop
from my suffrage lee ure the words most
longed TO utter. This for money ard ropu-
lari,y! Bah Irepent in eevere suffering
the weakness that caused me 10 yield and
now. rising before you free woman, | say
that neither poverty nor prison bolts shall
cause me TO sell my soul again.
- Hereafter 10 the extent Of my whole
strength. l shall speak the highest truths
feel. Honestly, MATTE STRICKLAND.
UNION-CIvIL AND CoNJUCAI-
I" The undersigned, this second day of
Novernber, y. d. 1873, enter into a business
partnership under the name of Miller &
Strickland, Oh the following conditions. to-
wit: That all earnings and profits arising
from cur individual and joint labors,
whether in departments Of literature, arts,
mechanics, agricultural, OF trade, shall be
shared and held equally.
" Believing that the divine principle of
love, drawing together two kindred souls, Is
the only binding law in tae coujngal union
of TIE sexes, and the only law making right
such intimate relations, We are also happy 20
confess to each other, TO God and his angels,
and to all the world, he existence of mu-
tual affection known 10y that name and we
deliberately Join heart and hand in this
most sacred OF all unions, hoping and pray
ing that the tie that binds us may last
through life, and survive the grave.
"Should this union be blessed by offspring,
We jointly and severally pledge ourselves,
our assigns and administrators, to foster and
support them during the dependent years Of
infancy and youth, supplying their physical
wants and rearing them in the principles of
virtue and knowledge TO the best Of our abil-
ity and Judgment.
- This simple form of coniugal union we
are constrained 10 adopt from the deepest
conscientious convictions Of right and duty;
and We sincerely regIet that the condition Of
society which, if We would be true to our
selves, makes It necessary for Us 10 oppose the
opinions Of Il majority Of our ieilow-cIeatures
-disregarding the laws and customs which
they assume TO make for the control of an al
fectiun between the se1eS, which We believe
Is, and of divine right oughs TO De. free.
(Siyueil, LEO MILLER,
MATTE STRICKLAND
CHICAGO, Illinois, November ;, ls75-
CARD.
=" We ask the sympathy OF our friends in
our sorrow, for the course pursued by our
poor, deIuded, misguided and Insane daugh'
ter. And We extead our thanks 10 our kind
friends that have labored with Us during he
last year 50 earnestly 10 save her We bow
our heads in grief. r. STRICKLAND,
MARY L. STICRLASD."
AT a city market the Other day, pale
faced. solemn man took of bis hat, smOothed