The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-02-18
THE CLARION.
The Married Woman Question
Property Rights.


REMARKS OF HON. 7. N. HARDIN, oE-cHAPTER
OF REVISED CODE
Ma SPEAKER:-With feelings of extreme
diffidenee do attempt to offer a few thoughts
on this most important subject. Especially Is
ii embarrassing to me when L lind that 10 ex-
press NV views | must follow the able and
learned Judge, Hon. j. a. p. Campbell,) who
has just taken his seat 1t IS with much relue-
lance that antagonize the views OF one Tor
whom | have exalted an opinion and IN
whose Judgment | have almost unbOunded con-
fdence.
Now, sir, with due Difference to the opinions
of distinguished gentlemen upon this floor,
and 10 the opinions Of the eminent Judge who
inaugurated this idea, OF who has sought to
engrafs 1t into the Code Of laws Of this state
l cannot refrain from expressing my astonish-
ment that they should advocate the passage Of
such "A law as that contemplated IN TINS section
l am surprised to hear such sentiments ex-
pressed by gentlemen Of giant minds, tower
ering intelects and profound patriotiotism.
We're there Laura Fair, DR.. Mary Walker,
an Anna Dickinson or Victoria &. 0odhull
upon the floor OF this House, uttering such SEN
timents J should experience no alarm, but
when these, come Of the first men Of our state,
advocate the subveTsIon Of the natural order
of things III the family circle cannot disguise
the fact that / DO experience feelings Of pro-
found concern. The ladies Of our Sunny South
have demanded no such enactment. The anna
BILE wives and fair daughters of Mississippi as X
no such innovation. ! regret to hear gentle
men stigmatize the law, which seeks 10 inspire
unity OF feeling, ana a community Of inter-
ests between husband and wife, n relic Of
barbarism. Especially do | regret to hear this
idea advanced when | recall the fact that this
so-caIied barbarism, this alleged terrorism
over the wife was inaugurated by the Advise
God the Creator and the Preseryer of us all.
1t is clai aed sir, that the law as il now exists
leaves the property Of the wife easy prey
to the evil designs Of the husband, but this
law. sought 10 be passed to-day, does not cure
this alleged evil, but only adds TO this, by al
lowing her under the advice Of third party TO
perform an act without consulting her hus-
band that would probably result n great detri-
Inent TO her husband and herself
No, Mr.. Speaker, let us allow her to still
maintain her natural and chosen position. Let
her continue 10 feel her dependence upon him
whom she has chosen as her protector. Let her
still cling 10 him for advice support ana com
fort. Let her still seek protection, sympathy
and safety under the strong arm Of her hus-
band. Either do this Mr.. Speaker, or make mar
Tiage a purely civil contract, or partnership to
he dissolved ut pleasure. Let us rec0llect Mr.
Speaker, that the Sacred Scriptures say that,
as Chist is the head of the Church, 50 is man
the head Of the woman. Let MS enact such laws
will tend 10 more closely cement husband and
as wife in a bond Of union and affection, and do
nothing that would tend to produce discord
and a want Of harmony in this most sacred re-
lation. With these views Mr.. Speaker, | sup
port the amendment proposed by the gentle
man from NazoO.