them of their property is, that it is done in the name of religion,
and this covering thrown over it, has made the people as well as
our Legislators hesitate, lest they should be meddling with reli-
gion. Suppose a man who was kidnapping free colored women,
and carrying them into slavery, or stealing slaves from our State
and carrying them into other States for sale, should plead that he
was doing this on religious principles, and we must, not interfere
with his religious principles. Is there any man in the State so
weak, as for one moment to be influenced by the suggestion?

The time has come when such pretexts will not avail. The
eyes of the people have gradually opened and no man can shut
them. There is a general feeling that something should be done
in this matter. The memorials to the last Assembly indicated
the depth of feeling among the people.

The inquiry is made what should be done ? How and when?

1.  So much should be done, as will secure a young woman
from being compelled to go into one of these prisons against her
will. No parent, or friend, or guardian, should be permitted to
place any young woman in one of these prisons against her will,,
much less should any Priest be permitted to compel any one, as
Priest Gildea did with Miss O'Neal, or when she has escaped, be
permitted to compel her to return, as the laws and rules of the
prison require.

2.  No one should be permitted to go there, or be placed them,
to remain, before she is of lawful age.

3.  No insane person should be permitted to enter.

Surely no sane man, who is not the maddest of bigots, and con-
cerned in the enticing of individuals, can object to any of these
principles.

That the Legislature have the right and power to pass such
laws as will protect these young women of our country, who are
white and free born, is as clear as it can be, to pass laws against
the kidnapping of colored women.

That this thing, if right and proper, ought to be done, who
will deny? If it ought to be done, why not by this Legis-
lature? If one single soul is unjustly detained in one of these
prisons, and there punished in violation of their rights, it is the
solemn duty of our Legislature, and no duty can more impera-
tively claim their attention, to adopt such measures as shall im-
mediately relieve that individual, and throw a safeguard around
any that may be there, or any that may be in danger of such im-
prisonment.

You are all aware that this subject is not brought, before you
by stealth. It has been made the subject of public, and free and
'full discussion, in the press and before the people. We would
not have any thing done which will not approve our own con-.
sciences, and stand the test of the most rigid investigation. The
subject of Private Mad Houses is also a part of this question which
deserves your consideration.

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