Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1893-11-27
". G. T. u. COLUMN.
Motto: "God and Home and Native Land"
MARRIAGE PROTEST.

SAmong the events of note in the life
M Lucy Stone, not the least memora-
He was her marriage, and the protest
Iainst the existing marriage laws,
hich was drawn up and signed by
d and her husband. The ceremony
lis performed by Col. Higginson OF
mbridge, then Rev. Thomas Went
birth Higginson of Worcester.
&Cne protest was published in the
brcester Spy and Boston Traveller,
bit the world of 1855 might know the
nd that had been taken. The fol-
Wing is Mr.. Higginson's letter to the
b:
1T was my privilege to celebrate
y day by officiating at wedding
a farmhouse among the hills of
hst Brookfield. The bridegroom
N s a man of tried worth, a leader in
u Western anti-slavery movement;
b the bride is one whose fair name
known throughout the nation; one
ose rare intellectual qualities are
telled by the private beauty Of her
art and life.
I never perform the marriage GER
ony without a renewed sense OF
II iniquity of our present system of
IS in respect to marriage; system
which imam and wife are one, and
1t one is the husband 1t was with
hearty concurrence, therefore,
t the following protest was read
signed, as a part Of the nuptial
emony; and 1 send it to you, that
ers may be induced to do likewise"
tere is the protest as drawn jointly
Lucy Stone and II. B. Blackwell,
subscribed to once more by the
/eaved husband at the funeral:
While acknowledging our mutual
Rction by publicly assuming the re-
onship of husband and wife, yet, In
ice to ourselves and a great prin-
e. we deem it our duty to declare
|t this act on our part implies no
w ction or no promise of voluntary
dience to such of the present laws
marriage as refuse to recognize the
L as an independent, rational being,
lie they confer upon the husband
Injurious and unnatural SUPERIOR
investing him with legal powers
oh no honorable man would eXer-
and which no man should pos
We protest especially against
laws which give the husband:
sfThe custody of the wife's person.
sThe exclusive control and guar
hship of their children.
sHThe sole ownership of her per-
hl and use of her real estate, un-
previously settled upon her or
led in the hand of trustees, as in
case of minors, idiots and luna
'sThe absolute right to the prod
of her industry.
"Also against laws which give to
widower so much larger and more
nanent an interest in the proper
II his deceased wife than they give
he widow in that of her deceased
" band.
FINALLY, against the whole sys-
by which the legal existence of
wife is suspended during mar
e. so that in most states, she
her has a legal part in the choice
er residence, nor can she make a
nor sue or be sued in her own
e, nor inherit property.
We believe that personal independ-
and equal human rights can new
e forfeited, except for crime; that
riage should be an equal and per-
ent partnership, and SO recognlz-
y law; that until it is so recog-
d, married partners should pro-
against the radical injustice Of
lent laws by every means in their
er.
We believe that where domestic
culties arise no appeal should be
e to legal tribunals under existing
but that all difficulties should be
nitted to the equitable adjustment
rbitrators mutually chosen.
Thus, reverencing law, we enter
protest against rules and customs
eh are unworthy of the name,
E they violate Justice, the essence
W."
Signed) HENRY B. BLACKWELL,
LUCY STONE.
est BrooktieId, May Z, 1855.
A Leader,