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Modern Persecution, or Insane Asylums Unveiled

From: Modern Persecution
Creator: Elizabeth P. W. Packard (author)
Date: 1873
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 1  Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12  Figure 13  Figure 14  Figure 15  Figure 16

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2885  

"In the name of Illinois and as its citizen, I claim that my right to the disposal of my own wardrobe be respected -- that no hands be laid upon it without my consent. I therefore forbid you or any other person disturbing me or my things, in my own hired room, until I consent to such interference." My reply was reported to the office. The next order was:

2886  

"If Mrs. Packard makes resistance, lock her in a screen-room!"

2887  

To this order I replied:

2888  

"I never offer physical resistance to the claims of might, over my inalienable rights -- but I give you no license or con-sent to touch one article in this room. belonging to myself."

2889  

The Doctor then, with the help of Miss Summers, searched my room, bed, toilet and drawers and took from them every thing belonging to me, and laid them into my trunk -- then the porter was ordered to take my trunk into the Matron's room to be packed. This trunk now contained my entire book, journal and private papers, indeed all my treasures -- even the sacred looking glass wherein my Reproof to Dr. McFarland, was con-cealed. What would be their fate, I knew not. But thanks to the Power which held my usurpers, no article of my manu-scripts were taken!

2890  

The book was, of course, seen and examined, but my private journal was passed through their fingers unnoticed; for the Matron and Supervisoress were only required to number the articles, and each article, large and small, being pinned up separately, it was not necessary to examine the center of each roll where lay a portion of this journal, which the Doctor so much dreaded.

2891  

Nothing was taken except the inkstand Dr. Tenny had given me, and the package of note paper my son had bought for me. For this trespass, if not theft, I still hold the Institution responsible, in addition to what had been previously taken from me wrongfully.

2892  

Dr. McFarland showed the coward on this occasion, by dele-gating his orders to Dr. Tenny, and availing himself of a leave of absence just at this time.

2893  

I think he had better have faced the battle!

2894  

However his orders were faithfully executed, even to the book, all being carefully packed, no part was missing!

2895  

Does not the Lord shut the mouth of lions so that they cannot hurt others when he pleases? Did I not have a host fighting for me, although unseen to mortal eye?

2896  

Yes, for so "the Lord encampeth about those who fear him. and He delivereth them."

2897  

The next morning, Miss Summers came with the order that:

2898  

"Mrs. Packard must be suitably dressed by nine o'clock to go with her husband on board the cars.

2899  

To this order I replied:

2900  

"Miss Summers, I have no objection to being dressed to-day so as to suit the requirements of this mandate, even to the ex-tent of wearing my bonnet and shawl suited to my traveling dress, and will do so with your assistance in bringing me those articles; but as to accompanying the said gentleman to the cars, I shall never consent to do this."

2901  

She accordingly exchanged my morning wrapper, for my traveling dress, and packed my wrapper in my trunk. I then put on my hat and gloves and laying my sun-shade across my lap, I sat down in my chair before the window and went to reading, as I had no other employment in consequence of the assault of the previous day.

2902  

While thus employed, my door was suddenly and violently opened by Dr. Tenny, who, without knocking, or even asking leave to enter, violently pushed the door against my bedstead, which I had placed before it, as was my habitual practice, to prevent intruders, having no other means of fastening my door on the inside. I could easily move the bedstead back four inches, and thus respond to a rap almost as quickly as I could have turned a button or a bolt if I had had one, and I had done so to give the Doctor's entrance hundreds of times.

2903  

But now this hasty, uncivil entrance into a lady's private room -- by which my bedstead was pushed almost upon my feet, as it was forced diagonally across my room by the great and sudden violence of the door against it, and as it was opened I saw three stout men standing at the door, almost frightened me, and having disobeyed no order I was not a little surprised at Dr. Tenny's impetuosity on this occasion. I felt like saying to my captors as Christ did to his:

2904  

"Have you come out against me as a thief, with swords and staves for to take me?"

2905  

Dr. Tenny then said:

2906  

"Mrs. Packard, your husband is in the office waiting to take you to the cars in the 'bus which is now waiting at the door. We wish you to go with us for that purpose."

2907  

Looking at me for a reply, I said:

2908  

"Dr. Tenny, I shall not go with you for that purpose. And here in the presence of these witnesses, I claim a right to my own identity, and in the name of the laws of my country, I claim protection against this assault upon my personal rights. I claim a right to myself, I claim a right to remain unmolested in my own hired room."

2909  

Turning to his porters, he said:

2910  

"Take Mrs. Packard up in your arms and carry her to the 'bus!"

2911  

After instructing my new body-guard how to construct the famous "saddle-seat" once more (an indispensable appendage to the enforcement of the "nonentity" principle of the com-mon law, in cases where intelligence claims the recognition of an identity!) I quietly seated myself upon it and after the attendants had, at my request, properly adjusted my clothing, I held myself again in readiness to be offered a sacrifice on the altar of unjust legislation to married women.

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