New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-04
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In meeting the question of Marriage or D.
yorce, the person who writes is at once sub
jected to numerous suspicious, aud even
charges, of speaking not from an abstract, but
subjective view. He is supposed to have had
experiences, painful or diScreditable, by which
he is brought at issue with society, and thus is
disqualified from being an impartial observer.
This is unjust, as well as untrue, as a general
rule. Thus the powerful plea OF Milton for Dl-
yOrce loses much of its potency, because of his
wel.known domestic infelicity. do nor believe
this to be the foundation of mis- plea, although it
may have concentrated his mind more tOrcibly
upon that branch OF reform for the whole
character Of Milton was radical 10 the utmost,
and when branch after branch of Political and
Ecclesiastical power bad felt the force Of his pen.
natural that Social abuse would in turn come under his
scalpkniie OF Reform.
But Millions argument is one sided in character that
we cannot meet il as true argument Woman 10 re-
garded entirely inferior 10 She is supposed to
have will but his q. least, she ought % hare none
Husbands spprehcnd, krOw 10 the contrary Women
probably self wlled than the other IL s
Of their modes OF oenseone Of the pOss
OF womany dignity. With Milton, what would import
a right eclecticism. individuality is denied Wo-
is not creation whose characteristics are % be
revereny recognized but creature made with special
reference 10 the comfort and convenience OF man
worshiptul but one "perverse" "unit uucOniugs,'
which she may be in that relation. AMI yet IN other
sense. He calls Man the "worthier half for whom
Marriage WAS instituted, with many passages akin
showing that he denied entirely right 10 Judgment
and night 20 choice Then, too his argument is based
upon Marriage, not IN lts broad acknowledged sense
but in it higher but more limited which, II we admit NJ
once goes 10 uproOt the whole social houc and cause
the cheeks Of half the community % Jingle with shame
at the dscrcdtabe positions they sustain
Now, the estimate OF Milton in regard TO Women Is
the ordinary estimate. The proportion Of them who
have held relations other than the passona has been
much less than in Man. that the world Is unwilling to
admit her other claims The reason for this being
otherbra of our question, must pass by.
SO has always been. Our laws are evidence OF the
manner in which regarded. Were public opin'
ion very much in advance of these laws they would be
abrugaied. Now, Women and begin TO feel keenly
that our brothers regard what they have made us
in laws. Woman Is a sort OF household chattel,
which, If in modern days, he is not allowed to kill Ike
Henry VIII or Blue Beard, or to loan like the Roman,
present friend like the savage, he may still sub
ject undnihed purposes at and coerce, just
according 10 h degree of culture o. state of temper.
contend that Marriage can never be fully chase and
holy till Man recognizes fully the social equality Of
Woman; till he confesses that Man Is mated % his Peer
-that allowing for all accidental difference in either sex.
arising from differences of culture intellect and genius
Woman IL equally AID entirely the companion OF Man.
with disabilities ia which he does not partake.
Marriage under the head OF civil contracts
let its interior be what IL may Now, in proper
ton 10 the importance of a contract do guard tho
conditions OF making IT, We insist upon sound minds
IN the contracting parties, legal maturity, proper Wit
nesses, reewill Of each parry and other conditions
according the nature OF the contract Even in tho
relation Of Men to the State you do not take the oath
OF allegiance from the Lunac the Idiot the Child
and in contracts involving nothing higher than questions
OF property all points carefully and legally guarded
Now such beng the In questions of far less
moment, involving questions Of far lees import 20 the
wellbeing Of society contend that the Marriage Con-
rect-the greatest OF sill human comparable equally
well guSrdedhe conditions bs watched AMI protected
with equally jealous care. Other Contracts are
limited in time and effect, whereas, one calcu.
late the consequences Of this either the Individual
society. Two persons contract "untl death US do
part sc unless these points are specified not in the
contract but in aside Legislation, showing how this
otherwise III deGth' may be dissolved
Now, would have " IL " nor butts In the mat
ter | would have the marriage contract guarded like
all other contract- would have the conditional 20 justi
~ IL the The parties should both have reached
their majority in law should be OF sound mind free In
their will free from all plot coluson and honestly
disposed 90 in Ger contracts, 10 redeem their obga
tious and then rwould say, the law have nothing
further 10 do with them They must abide the conse
ouepces In, for The well being society thar the fam
lily compact be ind.Ssoluble The marriage contract
upon which this relation Of family Is based must be
I'll DEATH The lar cannot come into the affections 10
itself Il TWO tender hearts once thought 10 be
ndissoluby united fret in their bonds, the law
help them. IL tied the knot when desired 10 be
tied, but The law Alexander cut that which
not be united II either both parties feel themselves
sggreyed, II Il no matter for the public eye let
the conditions be enforced safeguard 10 the contract
but let there BE- no Divorce.
society it il acknowledged, is corrupted, imperfect
Discomfort prevails in thousand aspeck Where this
from wrong growing out OF Universal aspect
OF right which has been diregarded must look for
the remedy but when legislation stoOps 10 pry into
brelkfstToOms, chambers and private emotions IL Is
Of its legitimate path IL make the conditions
Of contract but the abilities OF the parties redeem
their yOws IL beyond rs ground OF action.
Marriage Ike all other Institutions, i imperfect be-
cause al human Institutions are imperfect. But whea
wessy there il Marriage except 10 It's interior
Of compatibility. companonableness, congeniIty,
Ia fact deny Marriage altogether for this rueness VI
spirit cen be reached only BY very few, and may be
even By those only for limited period Of life, ana that
not the earet pert Of life at which time arriage are
nOstly solo mnized
For the wel-being Of society certain form ia
tial preliminary the living together Of two indiVd.
uak willing sustsin the family relation. The social
compact decreed this form that The state may be pro-
tected from the encubrance OF children arising from
sUcE reiGOn also 20 preserve the harmony and order
Vi good citizenship. Men may cOBtemn THIS order, tnis
subsection Of the individual 10 the state the one - me
many but IL "a no more than the carrying out d our
individual faculties whereby the psssiona y 70 % SUD
jected the Intellectual and unshh attriDutes
Of man Therefore 70 seek for order and system nat
urs 70 Man, ard he nsnct7ey incioes 70 the taInuy
relation and never, without sense Of sG+lnS
doing cen he separate the portions OF hs houseioid
The iather the mother. The children, naturally belong
together, and cannot be separated without wrong II
evil st follow IN the steps Of this relation, part
Of human iperfecon, 10 be escaped only a. the race
advances higher IN culture.
Now. contend that Society has right 70 regulate
20 far this intercourse Ofthe sexes a. 20 lt upon and
sanction this contract OF Marriage being the founda-
ton OF the family relation Il has night % guard ia
conditions and then shOd make the contract ind-
soluble Society should suffer tself 70 be outraged
BY the sht Of vaant husbands and wives going about
search Of new parrers 70 be regarded By each with
perhaps the disregard 20 social claim A. In the
former experience; while the children such should
be- lees fitted for Tue Offices ii good citizenship
because they have grown ~ in an atmosphere that
YtlsN ttp L.I
inlb6ed IN the boGsehod contempt for social relations
and cisregaru CT al but selEsh inclination
Ia truer aEd better state Of Society Marriage win
undoubtedly be based upon oly tie highest consiera-
ucns degree d honor and dignity viii be strached
70 ne reaton Thcse Of the MOBILES. make win be best
WCs-J - IL pozf-1 Commercial or motives