The Arkansas advocate., 1832-02-08
BREACHES OF PROMISE OF
 MARRIAGE

DhEACdES UT PROMISE OF
 MARRIAGE.
 Nothing can be more revolting to us, than to record, as becomes our almost weekly duty, the frequent instances of actions brought for damages on a breach of promise of marriage. The sensible and discreet have long regarded their progress with regret. They have.seen, with disgust, feelings, whose hallowed delcacy should shrink into the shades of privacy; feelings which maidens of other days are said to have blushed to acknowledge, even to themselves, now, stripped of their improbable tisidity, mingling, without a shudder, in the un- cleanly crowds that fill the path to pub lie justice. The delieaey that would have prompted to concealment, though 1t did. like the worm in the bud. feed on the daniask cheek''-is disregarded. Like highway mendicants, they unbind the wounds of the spirit-disclose the gangrene of the heart, and expect, from the loathsome display, from the disgust or the pity of the beholder, their miser- able rewardi
 It is almost impossible to approve, in the calmness of dispassionate delibera- ton, application to court of justice for redress of the wrongs of wounded affec- ton. We connot but consider such an application based on duplicity. We cannot but suppose it fraud upon the feelings of the public, a design to make the generous and honorable, but incon- slderate sympathies of juries the in- strumenttopander the'venal and shame less cupidity of the plaintiff. Or, if the circumstances be such as to persuade that the wrong is real and the applica- ton to the court honest. yet we must recognise the utter insufficiency of courts to afford, to such wrong, re- medy. To heart truly injured, the offer of gold would be but a new insult, an added injury. The influence of these suits upon society also may be mention ed as a serious evil. The feelings and habits ofa people are frequently gene- rated by their laws. Actions demand ing 9 recompense in money for an iniu- ry in affection, cannot but result in the debasement of those feelings, whose pu- rity is the very breath, iile ii fife of socie- ttyj ttyj. They teach the people to regard matrimony in the same lightas contracts purely pecuniary. It's obligation will rest on the purse, and not the heart.- They will think it founded on the same principles, and inducing the same prac- tice, ,as the ordinary bargains of life.- They have still another evil. While it lessens the dignity and lowers the char. acter of matrimony, the extension ofpe- cuniary responsibility to transactions oi this character cannot but tend to form and foster spirit of craftiness on one side and suspicion and distrust on the other. Itis an object-sanctioned by the iaw-to lure the inconsiderate i'm petuosity ofpassion into promise, and then to bind the reluctant and strug- gling spirit to a lot ofperpetual misery or else to strip the unfortunate victim ofhis substance-beggar him, to com and ifi- ii jured delicacy for so runs the phrase,) of the lady! Under the influence of such facts, what may we not expect?- The innocent confidence which has been in this country the frequent sub ject ofencomium with foreigners, and l graduation with ourselves, may be for, ced to give way to the ruffian rage o1 ] passion-or, worse still,to the corrodine l Inst of gold. Litigation may take tho place of love-and that holy institution which society regards with such awe and protects with such solicitude, be come the seat and the scene of the sams crafty sel6shness of feeling--the sam, meTcenary heartlessness of purpo0e