Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-05-08
CeiibaCE.

increase. 1t threatens to become an es-
tablished institution. "NIarriage and the
family relation are in danger of being
superseded. These and similar uueran-
ces have become one of the prominent
topics of the newspaper press.
In all OF our large rifles the distinction
to marry on the part of young men is ire-
quenlly spoken Of and written about.
And it is said lruthfnIly too, that j.st IN
The ratio that men incline to bacheloriSm,
rowdyism, debauchery, anG crime become
rampant in the land.
This is subject of great importance to
all, and Of fearful interest to the genera
tons to come. Ii requires no exraordl-
nary reach of thought to comprehend that
the inevitable result must be sooner or la
ter the general decentralization of both
male and female and the utter disOrganlZa-
ton of human society. Without The
maintenance of those domestic associa-
lions and duties which are known only
where the marriage institution is made
sacred, no society ever did or ever can eX.
ist above barbarlsm or savaglsm.
70 arrest this downward tendency OF
the race, two causes must be corrected.
Young men must be trained TO live, move
and have their beng. without those blood
Iinhaming and soul-palsying PoIsons--Il-
uuor and tobacco, and young ladies' must
learn to be useful as well as snowy. On
this latter clause Of our text we purpose
to expaiiale very briefly and then 'eaVe the
matter for the present, 10 the reflection OF
whom it may concern.
1t is notorious, all over the civilized
world, that American females are unheaI-
thy, and that The tendency TO disease and
inirmily is constantly increasing. The
daughters as general rule are more IN
frm than their mothers as their mothers
compare un(avorabie with their mothers.
There is no theme SO much written about,
talked about. lectured about, as sickIy A.
merican women and girls, Even the med
lca journals and dayly newspapers OF
Europe are frequently comparing the
health and stamina of American females
with those of the females OF Great Britain,
France, Germany, ETC., and always to the
disadvantage Of The former. And they
seem to see not without reason, one of tie
leading causes of the ultimate degeneracy
of the American people, and the final
overthrow Of our republican government,
in The fact that the vitality of our females
lis running down.
Young men cannot be ignorant OF these
lhings. They are, and must be fond OF
the society Of young ladies'. Nature, and
instinct, and reason and custom Inc!InIUg
them to marry. Bot with the thought OF a
matrimonial alliance come over the
thoughts of everything except beds Of ro-
,es and domes ic joys. So lar as counting
goes. all is pleasant enough but with
marriage is associated the idea Of doctors,
nurses and greater or less number OF
Bridget's and Katy s and Mary's and Ell
lens. Instead of a helpmale wife he lp
to him on in the ayduous pathway OF life.
and take charge of the household affairs,
he dreams OF delicate nerves, tender stOm.
achs. falling hair, decaying teeth, and
spinal irritation. He anticipates as well
he may constan; monoIogue about pains,
aches, bad feelings, morbid sensations, as
the prevailing music of the ireslJe. He
thinks of every recurring bills To pay. He
knows the chances are against him Of
marrying patient to take care Of, instead
of wife to enjoy.
Now men are just as selfish as women
are. On the whole, we think they are
more so. The yoIng 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 very
great mistake. There have been, indeed.
marriages Of sympathy, But Heaven
sanctions not, and nature abhors such al
liances.
If young ladies advertise themselves as
pretty play things young gentlemen will
take them at their word. II IN their &C.
tions, and by their manners and accom-.
plishments they declare themselves firia.
BILE and courtable, but unmarriageable
young men so understand the matter and
act accordingly. They will be ready
enough TO dance and frolic with those
they do not respect. They will make
themselves agreeable 10 those they cannot
love. They will play court where they
cannot ihink Of marrying whenever they
find their attentions are beginning TO be
taken in earnest lhey will seek other So
ciety. They will not of course give the
reason for this and The young ladies' viii
Of course wonder why don't the man
propose
Young men we repeat, will sport and
amuse themselves with young ladies'
whom they neither love nor respect. But
if lhev do respect them and cnnld love