The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-11-12
RUNAWAY MATCHES.

Our readers must have noticed before
now, that the tone of remark and feeling
with which clandes,ine marriages are
commented upon in conversation, and by
the press generally, is one OF levity and
undistinguished satisfaction. 1t is com
monty regarded as one Of the best Of Jokes.
if a foolish daughter of fifteen or sixteen
years Of aye succeeds in outwitting father
and mother, and runs off with Il compare
tive stranger. Editorial wit is taxed to its
EXTREMIST capability TO render ridiculous
the distress and anxiety Of the hereaved
father, as he follows his wandering child.
And if fortune favors the runaways, and
the knot is tied before the parent can in
terpose a warning word, the general JOY is
rapturous. It is a triumph Of young love
over stern, unsympathizing. tyrsnnical
household authority, which calls for The
merriest celebration. Orif the idea should
occur to any, that oil is not quite right in
such cavalier treatment Of parents. II is
soon apologised for by the sage observa-
ton that young folks will be young folks.
Take it all in all. "a stranger to our man
ners and customs would be likely to infer
that parental rule and counsel implied
something very dreadful and oppressive,
and that the young aides Of the land we're
heldin a home bondage Of the most UNI
Just and ungenerous character.
At the risk OF being regarded as very
old ashioned, we shall nevertheless ac'
knowledge that we can rarely see any thing
OF the nature of a good joke i'll a clandes-
tine or runaway wedding. We confess TO
feeling Of sadness and evil ioreboding.
when we hear that a girl, who is IA mere
child, has made up her mind to repudlate
the love and anxious care Of the mother
who bore her, and Of the father who has
cherished her as his life-that she has
turned her face away from the altar OF
home, from the nest of her infancy. and
put herself into the hands Of d man whom
her parents dare not trust.
We need hardly remark that marriage
is the great event in woman's life. from
which all other events take their color!nS,
II she err here, her whole life is one OF un-
availiDg psnance, of scalding tears. OF
sharp and blightihg sorrow. She cannot
90 back and undo her fault; she dare not
look to the future. for it is all desolate to
her. These things being SO. it follows that
young lady should yield her hand and
heart, only after the most prudent and
cautious forethought, She should avail
herself of the wisdom and experience OF
those who love her, and ABOVE all of her
parents, and after all she will feel that the
chances are sufficiently numerous that she
may still make an unwlse choice
But in most clandestine marriages, the
girl is a child, ignorant OF the world; with
out experience; deficient in Judgment; her
mind probably filed with false notions and
fanciful day-dreams, derived from novel
lists and romances. She meets with H
young man at a party. or a ball. or nc
matter where, who seems interested in her
and she is flattered by his apparent ADM.
ration. He conducts her home; calls Oh
her the next day; repeats his call. and they
are thenceforth in love. ii they were no
at the first glance. They have become
the Romeo and Juliet OF what is a play il
tho outset, but a tragedy in its close.
Inc ihco"po'eiOo VI we young SlTi II
estimate the character of her lover Is per
!ectly apparent TO every one but herself
Il is enough for her that he appears to low,
her sincerely and ardenily. lie propose
marriage to her, and is probably accepte'
without reference to the parents. lie Ell
treats that an early day may be named 10
their union. If there is any doubt Of he
parents concurrence, this is wanted. toe
and il parental objections or diiiicultie
threaten TO interpose. an elopement is til
next question agitated and agreed to-
They are consoled by the thought tn
there is something romantic in a runawa
match, and that such things are rattle
praised than condemned; and, beside,