Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1860-01-14
No. 81.
Ghf pulpnesials.
From the N. Y. Express.
Spaele 0f the Ja1rwafa,

No DVORCE.-In South Carolina there il no
divorce after marriage; wed for life must be the
fact In law, when an instance of divorce has never
been known there. 1t has been aushoritativey set
tied that judicial tribunal in the State has au-
thOrity to declare decree of divorce for any cause
whatsoever. If the power exists at ALL il is In the
Legislature, which has hitherto never thought pro-
per to exercise the power. Further, it has been
determined by the courts Of South Carolina that
marriage sOemniEed in that State, isindissolubls
By the sentence of any court in Q sister State,
as to effect the rights or conditions Of the parties
in South Carolina. It will be seen, then, that il
is much easier to tie the knot than to undo it.
With rare exceptions, the cermony of marriage 10,
in fact, performed by q clergyman, but the indis-
solubiity of the marriage contract is not only part
OF the law but it is the fixed and habitual sentiment
of the community on the subject of divorce.
The example Of South Carolina in the stringency
of the marriage laws, is worthy of all praise, and
in great contrast with every otherState the Union
The looseness Of the laws in such States Indiana
have compelled reformation; but they need change
everywhere, where they are not at least as strict
as they are in New York. South Carolina treats
the marriage relation as something which cannot
be made and unmade at pleasure. II regards il in
sense and sentiment as lifelong contract and if
it fails to perform all any one OF the moral OBJ
legations resting upon it, the fault is with those
who parties to the contract, and not in the en-
during character of the marriage relation.
There is no divorce in South Carolina, because
public sentiment does not tolerate the legal sepa
ration of man and wife, and there will always be
few or many, just O well-directed and high-tOn-
ed public sentiment controls the legislation Of the
country. 1t may be very disagreeable for two par
ties to be chained In legal bonds who have no sym
pathies, feelings. or wishes in common. So it 10
very inconvenient for two parties to do many other
disagreeable things but as marriage is the high
est moral and social relation in the world, the
bonds which hold welded pair together. cannot
be severed by the whim, caprice, change, or fancy
of those who soberly and voluntarily assume the
sacred relations of man and wife.-Such trihing
will. perhaps, do for engagements, betrothals and
courtships.-They will not answer for that more
grave condition in life, founded upon love, honor
and obedience, which establishes the relation be-
tween the parent and the child, father and mother,
brother and sister.
If it is once well understood that there are no
divorces to be granted, there will be longer court
ships, perhaps. and fewer marriages :; but there
will also be less repentance after marriage, bet
ter understanding Of what marriage is and means,
before the service is performed, and truer idea OF
all the solemn obligations resting upon those who
take upon themselves the marriage vows. These
may be very old fogysh ideas. in this fast age Of
fast people; but try them upon fair standard Of
truth. or compare them in practice with the ten
thousand evils of the marriage system, as il is ad
ministered, and we think they will find approval
at least among thoughtful people Rigidly applied,
the present generation might suffer little, but the
next, Snd all succeeding generations. would be
greatly benefited by the rule we lay DOWN. Y.
Express.