Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1860-12-22
Divorces.

ing territory, 10 raise tHclf VOICES ny
Petition, remonstrance or otherwise,
against the growing evil of the Legis-
lative notwithstanding Divorces
Legislatures are not the places to hear
such applications, and how often does
it happen that great wrongs are inflicted
in consequence of these acts. But
slender testimony is required to sup
port the assertion of a member, who is
interested in securing divorce for a
constituent, probably one to whom the
member is undera wei ght of political
litigation. The member who introdu-
ces the bill may be satisfied of its just
ness and propricty, but is it right, is it
proper, that on mere statements of par
ties, the rights of the absent should be
compromised, and great wrongs perpc-
tmted upon innocent and helpless chill
drcn, who until they are orphaned by
Il law passed without their knowledge,
have been forever cast upon the world
destitute alike Of legal protector, and
of the support and protection which
the law had secured to them?
Marriage is declared to be a contract
1t continues or is supposed to continue
until dissolved by death. 1t obligates
the husband to support the wife, to
maintain, protect and educate their Off
spring until they have arrived at the
age Of majority. 1t is necessary to be
solemnizcd according to law in order
to secure these benefits to all concerned.
1t raises the woman to the rank of
wife it secures to the child pride in
parcntagc and creates in him the obi ga
ton of tilial love; it makes society
draw the line between virtue and all we
adore in woman, on the one hand. and
scnsllality and prostitution on the other.
Besides all tins, it contcrs rights upon
innocent and helpless third parties,
who by its ordination, know to whom
they must look for support and protcc-
ton. "A mere contract between y and
d, for few paltry dollars, cannot be
rescindcd by the Lcgislaturc-thc fun
damcn,al law wisely says, the validity
Of such contract shall not be i'm
paired. Your Constitution nobly pro-
claims, that property shall not he taken
even to satisfy such contract without
due process of law. And yet without
notice, without service of process, with
out being allowed to confront wit
ncsscs, onmcrc cr payte statements, this
most vital of all contracts, this most
solemn of all agreements, this most
interesting of all bonds, because it
secures the rights of children, and the
claims of society, is trittered away.
Members consent to d;rorcr, not
because they arc satisfied a good cause
exists, but because policy dictates the
support of the measures Of other MEM
bcrs, to prevent opposition to a favorite
measure or measures of their own. We
ask, is this right? Thus is the most
sacred of contracts rendered mere
nullity. We all condemn that horrid
barbarity, the polygamy of Utah-a
domestic institution which under the
Kansas-Nebraska act, the people arc
allowed to settle for themselves. The
exercising this right called Popular Sor-
ereiy"ty, assumes in this Territory an
equally obnoxious type. A husband
may grow tired of his wife, and of the
duties of supporting his offspring. 1t
will not do to restrain the freedom OF
the individual. The Legislature is
asked to secure him his liberty; a wise
provision of law says he shall not com
nit bigamy. The legislature removes
this obstacle, the popular sovereign
is free to violate the laws of God and
man, and seek new companion.
The same doctrine of popular SOW
ercignty" which curses the Territory
of Utah with polygamy, is gaining
strength in Washington Territory.
If it leads to facility Of avoiding the
marriage contract, freedom to violate
the marriage vows, reputation of the
offspring, and a new marriage, let us
frown it down, before it becomes for
midablc.
Legislators of the Territory of Wash