"Assuming, as in view of all the facts it is our duty to do, the
correctness of the statements made by Mrs. Packard, two matters of vital
importance demand consideration:
1. What have 'the rulers in the church' done about the persecution? They
have not publicly denied the statements; virtually (on the principle that
under such extraordinary circumstances silence gives consent,) they
concede their correctness. Is the wrong covered up? the guilty party
allowed to go unchallenged lest "the cause" suffer by exposure? If they
will explain the matter in a way to exculpate the accused, these columns
shall be prompt to do the injured full and impartial justice. We are
anxious to know what they have to say in the premises. If Mrs. Packard
_is_ insane because she rejects Calvinism, then _we_ are insane, liable to
arrest, and to be placed in an insane asylum! We have a _personal_
interest in this matter.
2. Read carefully Judge Boardman's statement as to the bearing of "common
law" on Mrs. Packard's case. If a bad man, hating his wife and wishing to
get rid of her, is base enough to fabricate a charge of insanity, and can
find two physicians "in regular standing" foolish or wicked enough to give
the legal certificate, the wife is helpless! The "common law" places her
wholly at the mercy of her brutal lord. Certainly the statute should
interfere. Humanity, not to say Christianity, demands, that special
enactments shall make impossible, such atrocities as are alleged in the
case of Mrs. Packard--atrocities which, according to Judge Boardman, _can_
be enacted in the name of "common law." We trust the case now presented
will have at least the effect, to incite Legislative bodies to such
enactments as will protect women from the possibility of outrages, which,
we are led to fear, ecclesiastical bodies had rather cover up, than expose
and rebuke to the prejudice of sectarian ends--the 'sacred cause.'"
As I have said, there was a successful effort made in the Massachusett's
Legislature to change the laws in reference to the mode of commitment
into Insane Asylums that winter, 1865, and as Hon. S. E. Sewall was my
"friend and fellow laborer," as he styles himself, in that movement, I
made application to him this next winter, for such a recommend as I might
use to aid me in bringing this subject before the Illinois' Legislature
this winter, for the purpose of getting a change in their laws also. But
finding that the Illinois' Legislature do not meet this year, I have had
no occasion to use it, as I intended. Having it thus on hand, I will add
this to the foregoing.