Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-08-26
For the
DIVORCES.

WEDNESDAY, Aug, 1lth.-As SAL TO-
day, in my usual attendance at the courts,
/ was shocked to witness with what facili-
ty divorces.of marriage We're granted. In
the space of a single hour there were 10
less than FIVE of these causes heard and
determined, and thai sacred compact was
in each forever;revoked.
"UAn God has Joined togetier let no
man PIT assunder" rang with fearful ech-
oes through the chambers of my soul, and
almost wondered that mysterious
tand' did not write it on the wall, ia char
acters more terrific than those.which made
the naughty Bachinals tremble in the midst
of their revels.
Five marriages revoked-fve relations
annulled--rclations the holiest, the high
est, the most sacred that Providence has
vouchsaled to the families Of carth,-the
only vestige left in that general wreck Of
human hopes and joys Mans first disobe-
dience.' Adam and Eve were husband
and wife, though a flaming sword shut
them out from the joys of paradise iorev-
er. Mark the intensity of feeling with
which Adam addressed the Creator:
"Oh God. to Th, render back
Strong bened;ction and perpetual praise,
That Thou in striking my benumbedhan,k,
And forcing them to drop al other booas
Of haautv and dominion and delight,
Has left. this ,rell beIocsd Ere; this LIE
Within lite, this best gift between their palm'
In gracious compensation
And yet this holy relation is thus :Iifed
with, thus srhdered, amid the coarse jests
of counsels and spectators, on grounds
scarcely sufficient to constitute good
cause of action on an account current or
note Of hand.
In heathen nations we find the marriage
relation little regarded; but this strikes US
with no surprise; it is only in keeping with
the other depraved practices of people,
enveloped in the midnight Of moral dark
ness. But when we see people, proud OF
their intellectual growth, their moral and
and christian graces, Of the virtue and re-
6nement of society. make SO little account
of this sacred union we are struck with
astonishment and regret. t.--should We not
say, fear, for not surer are the Liberties OF
nation founded on the virtue and intelli-
gence of is people, that the morels Of
nation are founded on the purity and eanc-
tity of tee marriage relation.
That there are cases in which divorces
should be granted no che would seek to
disprove, just as their are offences which
must 5e expiated With the offenders HE;
but, as in the latter case they should be
free, and the inquiry into the matter should
be subjected to the same rigid rules oi evil
dence as in capital crimes. This woald
have the effect to prevent SO many ill-as-
sorted marriages, and the misery and deg
radiation that inevitably follow.
Let it be known that the marriage COM
pact must be one of life--that It's obliSa-
tions cannot be revoked at pleasure, and
it will be the more wisely and consideraie-
ly entered into. We cannot expect man
will use the same caution in making con-
tract of SO little binding force that the
slightest cause may avoid il as one In which
he feels himself bound by every authority
and restraint of law.
We do not think the contrast oyerdrawn;
the laxtiy of our laws in matters of divorce
and the yet looser practice of our courts.
have cast q stigma and reproach upon US,
revolving to the better feelings four ma
ture, and yet we cannot call hat reproach
unjust. 1t is self-imposed.
But not in the judicial chamber above is
the subjecto of divorce freely discussed, but
in th social circle it is one Of the most or
diuary topics of the day, while the vulgar
and thoughtless even of the better classes
make it the sport of cseeless jest and red
icule. Man may smile, bat heared blush
es at such mockery.
1t is time the general voice should speak
out against this reproach upon the fair
fame of our State--Le; there be prompt
Legislation in this behalf-lei strict laws be
enacted, let stricter court practice be OBJ
served, and let the people Of this State, es-
pecially the younger class. know that the
marriage compact is high and solemn OBJ
legation, not to be trifed or jested with no
more than they would blaspheme against
High Heaven itself. KAPPA.
Sam. what fish in de salt water weighs