so. And if the only way of
escape from the infamous laws by which all power is placed in the
hands of man, is through divorce, then that is the hospitable door to
open for those who wish to escape. No proposition contained in Mrs.
Stanton's speech on divorce, viewed in any light, can be a tenth part
so shocking as the laws on the statute-books, or the opinions
expressed by many of the authorities in the English and American
systems of jurisprudence.

It is difficult to comprehend that the release of the miserable from
false relations, would necessarily seduce the contented from happy
ones, or that the dearest word in the Saxon tongue (home) should have
no significance, after drunkards and villains were denied the right to
enter it. It is a pleasant reflection, in view of the dolorous results
Mr. Greeley foresees from the passage of a divorce law, that the love
of men and women for each other and their children in no way depends
on the Statutes of New York. In the State of Indiana, where the laws
have been very liberal for many years, family life is as beautiful and
permanent as in South Carolina and New York, where the tie can be
dissolved for one cause only. When we consider how little protection
the State throws round the young and thoughtless in entering this
relation, stringent laws against all escape are cruel and despotic,
especially to woman, for if home life, which is everything to her, is
discordant, where can she look for happiness?

APPEAL TO THE WOMEN OF NEW YORK.

WOMEN OF NEW YORK:--Once more we appeal to you to make renewed
efforts for the elevation of our sex. In our marital laws we are
now in advance of every State in the Union. Twelve years ago New
York took the initiative step, and secured to married women their
property, received by gift or inheritance. Our last Legislature
passed a most liberal act, giving to married women their rights,
to sue for damages of person or property, to their separate
earnings and their children; and to the widow, the possession and
control of the entire estate during the minority of the youngest
child. Women of New York! You can no longer be insulted in the
first days of your widowed grief by the coarse minions of the law
at your fireside, coolly taking an inventory of your household
goods, or robbing your children of their natural guardian.

While we rejoice in this progress