Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-04-14
CEI,IR

crease. 1t threatens to become an established
| ssinstitUtion.'' Marriage, and the family re-
lation, in danger of being superseded.
| These and similar utterances have become one
of the prominent topics of the newspaper
| press.
| In all our large cities the disincination to
marry on the part of young men is frequently
| spoken of, and written about. And it is said,
| truthfully too, that just in the ratio that men
incline to batchelorism, ,rowdyism ,debauchery,
and crime become rampant in The land.
This is subject of great Importance to all,
and of fearful interest to generations to come.
1t requires no extraordinary reach of thought
TO comprehend that the natural and inevitable
result must be, sooner or later, the general de-
moralization of both male and female, and the
utter disorganization of human society. With
out the maintainance of those domestic asso-
Citations and duties, which are known only
where the marriage institution is made sacred,
no society ever did or ever can exist above
barbarism or Savagism.
To arrest this downward tendency of the
race, two causes must lie corrected. Young
men must be trained to live, move, and have
their being, without those blood infaming and
soul-palSying poisons, liquor and tobacco, and
young ladies must learn to be useful as well
as showy. On this latter claTse of our text
we purpose TO expatiate very briefly, and then
leave the matter, for the present, to the redec-
fion of those whom it may concern.
1t Is uOlOIIOus, ali ohCt tIiC S4hiiI[Ci hOiiNs
that American females are unhealthy, and
that the tendency to disease and infirmity is
constantly increasing. The daughters, as a
general rule, are more intirm than their moth
ers, as their mothers compare unlavorably
with their grandmothcrs. There is no theme
so much written about, talked about, lectured
about, as sickly American women and girls.
Even the medical journals and daily newspa-
pers of Europe are frequently comparing the
health and stamina of American females with
those of the females of Great Britain, France,
Germany, &c, and always to the disadvantage
of the former. And they seem to ace, not
without reason, one of the leading causes of
the ultimate degeneracy OF the American peo-
pie, and the final overthrow of our Republi-
can government, in the fact that the vitality
OF our females is running down.
Young men cannot be ignorant of these
things. They are, and must be fond of the
society of young ladies. Nature and instinct.
and reason, and custom incline them to mar
Ty. But with the thought of q matrimonial
alliance comes the thought of everything ex-
cept beds of roses and domestic joys. So far
as courting goes, all is pleasant enough; but
with marriage is associated the idea of doc
tors, nurses and a greater or less number of
Bridgets and katys and Marys and Ellens.-
Instead of heipmate, wife to cheer him in
the arduouS pathway of life, and take charge
OF the houShold affairs, he dreams OF delicate
nerves, tender Stomachs, falling hair. decay
ing teeth. and spinal irritation. He anticipa-
teS as well he may, constant monologue a.
bout pains, aches, bad feelings, morbid sensa-
tions, as the prevailing music of the fireside.
He thinks of ever-recurring bills TO pay. He
knows the chances are against him of marry
ing patient TO take care OF, instead OF a wife
to enjoy.
Now men are Just as selfish as women are.
On the whole, We think they are more so.
The young lady who supposeS that any young
man on the face of the earth wisheS'to marry
her for the sake of nursing her through life,
makes a great mistake. There have been,
indeed, s.marrages of sympathy" But Hea-
ven sanctions not,a and nature abhors such alli-
ances.
If fyoung ladies advertise themselves as pret-
ty pay-thingS, young gentlemen Will take
them at their word. If in their actions, and
by their manners and accomplishments they
declare themselves Irritable and courtable, but
unmanageable, young men will so understand
the matter and act accordingly. They will be
ready enough to dance and froiic with those
they do not respect. They will make them
selves agreeable to those they cannot love.
They will play court where they cannot think
of marrying. Whenever they find their at
tentions are beginning to be taken in earnest,
they will seek other society. They will not,
of course, give the reason for this, and the
young ladies' will OF course wonder .swhy don't
the man propose 20
Young men, we repeat, will sport and amuSe
themselves with young ladies whom they
neither love nor respect. But if they do re-
spect them and could love them, they are
frightened from proposal to marry by the
sad evidence of iniirmity, which cosmetics,
false hair, artificial teeth, and expansive skirts
are unable to conceal. Hence they rather
avoid all approaches to intimacy, and often
abandon the company of those that could be
healthy, and who would be good wives. and
Cnnt in lass
amid more del asing associations.
The young ladies of America have it en-
tirely in their power to arrest this growing
evil. Let them make themselves healthy, and
prove their capacity to be useful as well as
ornamental, and they will not be long in the
matrimonial market. Let them snap their
fingers at the fashions of London and the fol-
lies of Paris, and act like sensible human be.
ings. Otherwise, they are neither fit for wives
nor mothers.
The estate of Matrimony" is one of the u