with
it manfully, and the more complicated it is, the more
courageously must it be analyzed, combated, and destroyed.
(Applause).

Mrs. Blackwell told us that, marriage being based on the perfect
equality of husband and wife, it can not be destroyed. But is it
so? Where? Where and when have the sexes yet been equal in
physical or mental education, in position, or in law? When and
where have they yet been recognized by society, or by themselves,
as equals? "Equal in rights," says Mrs. B. But are they equal in
rights? If they were, we would need no conventions to claim our
rights. "She can assert her equality." Yes, she can assert it,
but does that assertion constitute a true marriage? And when the
husband holds the iron heel of legal oppression on the
subjugated neck of the wife until every spark of womanhood is
crushed out, will it heal the wounded heart, the lacerated
spirit, the destroyed hope, to assert her equality? And shall she
still continue the wife? Is that a marriage which must not be
dissolved? (Applause).

According to Mr. Greeley's definition, viz., that there is no
marriage unless the ceremony is performed by a minister and in a
church, the tens of thousands married according to the laws of
this and most of the other States, by a lawyer or justice of the
peace, a mayor or an alderman, are not married at all. According
to the definition of our reverend sister, no one has ever yet
been married, as woman has never yet been perfectly equal with
man. I say to both, take your position, and abide by the
consequences. If the few only, or no one, is really married, why
do you object to a law that shall acknowledge the fact? You
certainly ought not to force people to live together who are not
married. (Applause).

Mr. Greeley tells us, that, marriage being a Divine institution,
nothing but death should ever separate the parties; but when he
was asked, "Would you have a being who, innocent and
inexperienced, in the youth and ardor of affection, in the fond
hope that the sentiment was reciprocated, united herself to one
she loved and cherished, and then found (no matter from what
cause) that his profession was false, his heart hollow, his acts
cruel, that she was degraded by his vice, despised for his
crimes, cursed by hi