The Kanzas news., 1858-07-03
Vol. I---No. 81.
why thev don't Marry,

Why they don't Marry.
It has become very common remark
among those who are very scrupuioas OBJ
servers of men and things. that there are
more unmarried young men aud women In
this age than any that the history of the
past gives any account of. In other words.
the tendency to celibacy was never greater
than at present Let US apply this assertion
to our own section of country and after
having proved the verify of the expression,
endeayor to give few causes for this appar-
ent departure from that state of existence
which the Divine Author of man instituted
for all rational creatures. There arc a large
number of farmers. merchants, and mechan-
les, ranging in age from twenty three to
thirty years, who are absolutely in need of
a ''better-half" to share with them the ioys
which the matrimonial state is calculated TO
bestow. To speak of the more practical
part of This institution, they farmers par
ticularly) are in want of eonjugal partner.
TO assist IN carrying on successfully their
business operations, without reference TO
their necessities in social point of view.
Indeed, it seems almost useless for young
man 10 engage in the culture of the soil
without having previously entered into a
covenant with that one who is to take
charge of the domestic affairs, and keep
his house in order.' But how different is
the reality of thingsi Behold for moment
the number of farmers who appear wholly
light. Why is this? We propose to an
swer. In the first place, there must be
some attractions In society which viii tend
f,o 81, Il. L
generated in order to stir up the latent af-
fections between the sexes.
Evening parties are given-the gay, the
lively, the fashionable, and the gaudy at
tend; but all this is insufficient to arouse
the hidden sympathies of our nature which
evolve eternity in their duration. The
young man is pleased with some dashing
belle, arrayed in the most ostentatious cos
tune, and is ''smitten.' But it is not char
acter which has risen to captivation. APP
pearances are all that elicit his admiration.
1t may be her pretty face, her golden curls,
her flashing eye, her delicate hand, or snowy
neck, or graceful carriage. A little parley
or nonsense ensues about fashions, parties,
beaux and bellies. Then an appointment
for another meeting, walk or visit to a
neighbor follows. Report soon becomes
current that they care engaged" and many
speculations are made as TO when that chap
py day" shall arrive. Meanwhile they have
another meeting, and they gradually become
more intimately acquainted with each other.
The young man finds he does not love her,
but her ptanaage or features had excited his
fanciful imagination.
AS he progresses a little further in the
study of human nature, he finds that she is
disposed to indulge IN extravagent apparel,
and does not understand the rtgof house
keeping. Hence he concludes, and natural
ly enough, that unless his marriage should
result in the adoption of more economi
cal style Of living. unless it should tend to
diminish rather than increase his expenses,
and last, though not least, unless he could
truly and devotedly love the one to whom
he had paid attentions, it would be policy for
him to remain in state of celibacy until
he should meet with one who would be
more likely to accommodate herself to his
circumstances.
1t will be seen, then, that the novelty of
matrimonial engagements is attributable,
not so much to the lack of intercourse be-
tween the young as to the almost entire de-
iciency on the part of the fair sex in those
mplishments which every wise man
seeks in order to realize the highest felicity
of which the marriage state is susceptible.
Things should not be so. For of all the
institutions that affect humanity on the
earth, none is more important than mar
riage. And it should be the chief study of
young women TO make themselves worthy
of that alteration which the opposite sex is
capable of bestowing.. Besides, the young
man who marries not, leaves one who might
have made him happy and useful compan
ion, to pine in maidenhood of heart through
all the weary days of life, TO be less useful
in society than she might have been, had
he performed his duty to himself and her.
Il becomes the stern obligation of all to pre-
pare for life of usefulness, to make them
selves acquainted with that employment
which is fitted to ennoble any sphere or
station, and when the proper age arrives at
which matrimonial alliance may become
benefit and a blessing, then reciprocal rela-
tions viii spring up by spontaneous action,
and hearts will be united which 'sno man
can put asunder." and spirits locked in the
embraces of a diviuely appointed union
DeEaa0are Republican.
WIFE TAMIEG.-The Boston GosetEe an
l.