Joseph Stansbury

“ It only remains for us to express the satisfaction with which we have learned that Friends in many of our meetings have concluded to petition the legislature for the repeal of what we cannot but consider an unauthorized restriction of the law of marriage. ”

“ Can any good reason be assigned why the former classes should have civil validity and not the latter? I venture to answer, none.
Catholics, in hitherto omitting to promote the legalization of such marriages, may have been influenced by some prejudice against them, or some vague notion of general policy. But prejudice, or ideas of policy should not make them commit the Injustice of actually promoting invalid marriages. Refuse dispensation or alter the law. ”

“ Human nature requires such marriages. Long prohibition has indeed created a prejudice in the minds of some, as if there was something impure in these alliances; but circumstances are often occurring in which a marriage with a deceased wife's sister is the only one a man can, with prudence and justice, contract. ”

“ I think where persons feel that they can without scruple contract them, they should be allowed to do so."
— Speech of Earl Russell "I cannot bring myself to believe that the Divine law prohibits a man from marriage with a deceased wife's sister."
— Dr. Musgrave, late Archbishop of York. "You are at liberty to refer to me as approvng of the abolition of the restriction on marriage to which you allude." ”

“ Of all second marriages I have no hesitation in saying that these are the most suitable and likely to be the most frequent, if the law did not sometimes prevent them. It is quite monstrous, judges and lawyers speaking as they have done of late upon this subject. ”

“ And, so urgent is the necessity (not arising from ungoverned passion, as some unfeelingly and ignorantly allege, but from affection, and a sense of duty) , that, after long consultation and deliberation, those who appear to be the most devout and conservative, then, frequently resolve to submit to all the consequences of disregarding the law. To prevent such marriages has always proved impossible, and is not, therefore, likely to be attempted now. ”

“ Having again carefully examined the question, and consulted some of the highest authorities in Hebrew literature as to the meaning of the Scripture passages, I am confirmed in the opinion formerly expressed, that marriage with a deceased wife's sister is not only not prohibited, 'either expressly or by implication,' but that, according to Leviticus xviii., 18 (concerning the translation of which there is not the least uncertainty) , such marriage is plainly allowed. ”

“ Sir.—The advocates for giving, in the United Kingdom, civil validity to marriage with the sister of a deceased wife, are desirous of bringing the subject distinctly under the notice of Catholics, with the view of obtaining their co-operation. They conceive that there exist no reasons why that co-operation should not be given, but many and powerful reasons why it should be accorded. ”

“ The fact, then, being conceded that marriages with deceased wives' sisters do take place with the sanction of the very highest ecclesiastical authorities of the Catholic Church, can any minister or lay member of that Church, can any person of humane feelings, be indifferent to the question whether such marriages shall have civil validity? ”

“ They simply seek, for Protestants as well as Catholics, civil validity for this one marriage, and nothing more. They pledge themselves, that, when this object is attained, their organisation will be at an end. ”

“ As they do not, we may safely conclude they see no necessity for such a step. Then, why should not the same state of things exist here?
Let it, also, be distinctly understood, that those who seek to promote this measure have no ulterior aims, no party bias. ”