Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1837-02-25

I yoa sss sascnnoaD sAaIAssu.. ~
In looking over snme Of the statutes Of In
diana, it is not little surprising to sec how
much legislation has been bestowed on some
subjects Of comparatively minor importance,
whilst others Of very great moment have re-
ceived but slight share oflegi.lative action.
Among the last we find the subject Of mar
riage. Agreeably to our statute, any and all
persons (when not prohibited by the laws Of
Cody are allowed to marry upon arriving at
. certain age. There is little restraint
thrown round man in making this all inn
portant contract, even during his minority !;
whilst in making other contracts of much less
lconsequence, either to himself or society, le-
gal impedements are almost daily staring him
IN the face. Here, Mr.. Reader, allow me to
inquire seriously, what event in the whole
life Of man is fraught with 50 much interest,
either to himself or society, as his MARRIAGE
that circumstance which raises him to the
interesting and digni6ed station Of husband,
and in all human probability is to add TO COM
munity a family Of persons who are either to
become respectable citizens or worthless, dis
solute beings; corresponding in great meas
ure with the moral or immoral h1bits of him
in whose hands nature and the law has en-
trusted their education. think you must ans
u U1S"tUCTS
even Of comparative Importance. Then If
this is a matter SD mOmentOus, why does not
the legislature interfere, and protect commu-
nifty by wholesome enactments, as far as pos
s,ble, from unfit and ,mprovident marriages;
or rather from the detrimental consequences
which naturally ensue.
What! says one, would you have the law
interpose and restrain a man from exercising
his ''natural right" Of marrying! In return
le, me ask, what right has the law to say,
that no man shall keep a tavern, grog shop,
nor even plead at the bar the defence Of SON.
unfortunate wight who may have transgres-
sed, without first procuring a licence. and
making it necessary to produce to the proper
authority for granting such licence, certifi-
cate Of 'good moral character" before such
llcence shall be granted. No one ever COM
plains Of these restraints thrown round our
''natural rights" even in these cases of little
consequence to the public wien compared
with the one Of which ] am speaking: aud
this is all ask Of the man who wishes TO mar
iry-that he produce to the Clerk Of the Court
who is to grant him license, certificate Of
his good moral character, signed by at least
twelve freeholders Of the vicinity in which
he lives. Now, if it is necessary, that a man
should possess good morals before he IS al
lowed To follow the OdiOus business Of grog-
selling, how vastly more necessary is it, that
he who is about to enter upon the RESPONSE
bic duties Of husband; and probably soon to
he guardian and tutor Of young famiI should
possess, not only good morals, but also that
which is almost as desirable-a common ed
ucation and industrious habits. might, per-
hap~, be going to far, to say that men who
are moral should not be allowed to marry
unless they could read AMI write, and were of
industrious habits; Yet every person who
either now is, or ever has been in the account
able station Of husband and father, will read
lily admit, that to be destitute of these valua-
bic requirements would be very detrimental
to rising family. But little good can be ex
pected to come Of a family when he to whom
his offspring are daily looking for examples,
is practising nothing before them but immor-
ality, and the other evils which are the sure
attendants on ignorance and ,ndolence.-I
Though it may be within the province Of the
law to require that a man should possess al
certain portion Of education and industry be-
fore he is allowed to contract marriage; yeti
it certainly is in the power Of the law, and
that justly and prudently too, to require that
he have good morals before he shall be suffer-
ed to take upon himself the very great res
possibility of raising family.
QUIDAM.
TREASURY ORDER.-The Senate have done