Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-11-28
EERM0NT DIVORCES.

1. cannot be denied that the facility Of
obtaining bills of divorce, has greatly tend
ed to render us contemplate in the ewes
Of our neighbors and the little respect
u rTudges entertain for the sacred institut.
on of marriage, has encouraged the disso-
lutte of both sexes IN every quarter OF the
union, to repair TO our state and make our
laws subserve their wicked and immoral
purposes. Every Ebertine who is tired OF
his wife, or who, from base and corrupt
motives, is desireus to transfer his proper
ty& worthless affections to another woman /;
and every woman who is Infamous eaough
10 abandon her husband and children, may
fly TO Veraont ; and by circulating a libel
in the form of a petition, as tar as a coun.
try paper will cow y the notice, and pay
ing the necessary fees (Which constitute a
very considerable emolumentto oar ldges)
san obtain a decree of our court dissolving.
the bands of matrimony. The sta.u e in
deed requires thar one OF the parties should
have resided IN this state at least one year
previous 20 granting a divorce ; but there
are several instances on record, OF bills be-
ing granted without even requiring proof
70 establish any previous residence. We
shall soon have bushes enough of this kind
in our cour:s, when it is known to the peo-
pie Of Carolina, or any other remote state,
thar a short visit of two months from home,
will be quite sufficient I'd free a RAN from
adisagreeable companion, and the incum-
brance of family during the remainder of
his life. /" Do we not publish a citation,
say our judges in some of our newspapers ;
and afford an opportunity to the ether party,
to appear and resist any improper attempt
to impose on our courts" Pretty reason
ing this! How shall an innocent wife Eve
hundred miles distant, living perhaps in
the interior of the coantry, become &C;
quaiated with everv adysrtiser,eu in every
one of our village papers! The FIRST sight
etthe advertisements is perhaps accompsnl-
ed with a copy Of the record OF that de-
cree, whieh strips her of property ;deprives
her Of a husband; and separates her from
her chiiaren!
On this Solemn, this awful subject, II IS
impossible for a wife or yirtuous man to re-
tect without being agltated by alternate e
motions of horror and indignation. Il is
really opening Pandora's Box, and giving
wings to every evil that eau poison the ieti-
city and meraIs of society. Il casts a n.
dicule on the sacred institution OF marriage
produces a confusion Of progeny ; creates
discofd in families; corruPss public aud
private deceney and introduces a depravl-
ty OF manners, which every man OF feei.
ing and sense ought TO repel as an enemy TO
the honor aud happiness OF his wife and
daughters. In such a state OF things,
where shallwe look for that faithful and du-
uful devotion of the heart, which IS the
most powerful indacsment TO a state OF
wedlock? where find that perfect confidence
and security, which are inspired by a belief
that death only can sever thatreligious eohd
which unises individuals of different sexes
together, and impels them by the irreslsta-
Die influence of affection, and the conscl-
BUSINESS of a common indivisible interest,
to MAINTAIN all the tender relations OF ia
ther, son and brother?
[Winds0r Post Boy>