Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-08-19
Miscellaneous
MART1NEAu ON MARRIAGE.

All institutions that have existed long among
men, have had their origin in nature; and it is
only by keeping within n certain degree Of near
ness to naturs that any institutions can be pre-
served. In proportion to their departure from ma
turc, is the certainty that they will fail and
perish. OF existing institutions none is more
clearly traccable TO nature than that of marriage
and indeed, from the clearncss of this-Grom the
fact that numbers of the sexes are equal Mt the
arc Of twcnty-one Though varying from this some
what before and attcr)-frum this indication that
there is one man for one woman at the time for
marriage, it is usual to speak of marriage rs n d-
vine institution, independently of what is said of
1t in the bible. But how marvellously and how
mournlully have men cOntriyed to perplex and cor
rupt this simple and natural religion For ages
past, there have been marriages for statc-policy,
marriages for connection, for money, for estates,
for every convenience, down to the poor ditcher
who declares 81 was, as one may say, devoured
with varmint, and | married wife to keep me
clean"
The notion of marriage for convenience has now
such complete possession of the general mind, that
II true love marriage is almost rs Il matter Of course
opposed, in those ranks of society, where others
than the immediate parties claim to be considered.
And the consequences arc such as appal the heart
Of every thinker. 1t has become the rule through
many gradations Of society to love in one place,
and marry in another and this unavowcd bigamy
of course, destroys the proportion under which
alone marriage can be general and pure. Of all
infectious evils, laxity of morals is the most so
and the laxity here spreads, until the very idea of
marriage is corrupted and debascd. We bear Of
sales Of a wife in Smithfeld, the ignorant parties
often believing such sales to be legal; and the
cases of bigamy are becoming frightfully common.
And see what can happen even in America 'At
Philadelphia, on Monday, one German sued ano-
Their for five dollars, the price Of commission for
procuring the latter n wife. The objection was,
that the defendant stated his wish for u wife =
the former, in half an hour, brought q German, to
whom the defendant was married in three days.
The plaintiff was allowed his whole claim" In
another rank, w see at this moment what happens.
The potnetates of Europe, and the politicians Of
Spain have long been contending as to whom the
little Queen of Spain should marry. 1t appears
that she wishes to marry II cousin, who wishes to
have her. She is compelled to marry another
~cousing-his brother. All night wer her mother
and other advisers busy in persuading her--in
overcoming her repugnance to the marriage. A
seven in tho ln)rnia5, she went to bed overpowered
and wrctchel. She is only fifteen years old. lIei
sister is only fourteen, and she must be married
too, to please the King of the French, who wants
to marry his youngest son into Spain. Is any ONT
irrational enough to expect fidelity in marriages
thus made in markets and palace chambers AnC
does not the contagion Of incontinency spread
And are we then to wonder at the increase of big
amy, of seduction, of child-murder, and Of gross
prohigacy? Marriage, which was destined to pro
tect the sanctity of the love of one man for on
woman, has become the very means of obstruct
ing such love, and destroying the snnctity of it
To the pure and simple, it may be MI that it eyel
was; but to society at large, that which processes
to be its chief moral safeguard has bee ome a fata
snare. If it be asked, what is to be done!" thu
answer is the one which will never wear out
''those who have grace must be the salt Of thu
earth" Every man and woman who duly feel the
holiness of that love which gives birth TO human
life, and who enters upon it with conscience at
affections as awake as passion, may and will coun
tervail Il world of mischief done by p~rofigacy
Every pair who uphold in their lives, the true
original idea Of marriage must command sucl
sympathy from the best hearts, as will shame tn
trafRcking of the worst. If there are yet amoni
us enough of the simple and the pure to reinstat
the institution OF marriage in its original sacred
ness, and seperate it from its impious alliance wit
worldly interest, it may retain its name and place
If motif the corruption spreads, and marriage
the name given to that legal prostitution which II il
duces the illegal, some new name must be foun
for the genuine and holy marriage, which must a
ways remain while God ordains and nature exist
--HaiTiet .Hartineau.