Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-05-30
Illegal Marriages.

Allow me, as one OF the people tc
whom Rev. B. W. Pond appeals for q
charitable judgment upon his recent sol
emnization of an illegal marriage, to
make some comments upon that transac-
ton:
1t is certainly much to be regretted
that he should have had anything to do
with a marriage which, as the case was
represented to him, was in violation Of
the law. To a greater OF less extent, his
moral influence must be impaired. A
man, whose official function it is to en-
join obedience to all law, ought himself
to set an example Of obedience. He
should be like Caesars wife, not only
above reproach, but above suspicion
Let me illustrate by supposable case,
b ow Mr.. Ponds influence is weakened.
unless common fame greatly bellies Bar
ton, good deal OF rum is sold there,
contrary to law. Mr.. Pond goes to one
of these rumseIlers, and reproves him for
not conforming TO the law. The answer
is ready at the instant, ut is no worse
for me to violate the law in one respect,
than cor you to violate it in another"
Mr.. z. replies, The practice generally,
throughout the State agrees so little with
the law respecting that matter, that |
made little account of the violation. =
The rumselIer promptly responds, 81,
also, make little account of my disobedi-
ence to the law, because in almost every
town in the State there are some who do
not and viii not obey it," Mr.. p. re-
joins, "But your violation Of law brings
a great deal Of unhappiness into fami-
lies" And the rumseller again replies,
80 does your violation OF the law, your
self being witness, disturb the peace of
families" "But you make yourself La
bic, continues Mr.. p, ''to prosecution
and iiue," "The same is true in your
CASE responds the rumseler, "and you
are liable to "A heavier fine than | am"
1t will certainly be very difficult to turn
the edge of these argumenta ad homi-
mem.
On the other hand, it is a good thing
that Mr.. Pond has learned thus early in
his ministerial life, though by some
what Notifying and costly course of tut
ton, that there are laws on the statute
book relating to marriages, and that it is
unsafe to diSoOey them. lie will never
forget those laws, and when he is again
tempted to violate them, the recollection
of this event will prompt him to utter an
emphatic "No ~ Upon second thought
he will not attempt to shelter himself be-
hind the violation Of the law by other
ministers. The violation of the law is
not so universal as to make the law a
dead letter. There are portions of the
State in which no persons pretending to
average responsibility, would ask to be
married till they have complied with all
legal requirements and there are min
listers who would take it as an insult if
they were ask ed to solemnize a marriage
where the parties had not complied with
the law. Even if the law were gener-
ally disregarded, that would not furnish
less reason--rather would it furnish all
the more, why tue minister should insist
upon its observance in every case with
which he has to DO. The minister, above
all other men, should have clean hands,
and a conscience void of offence.
The 'natural Inference from Mr.. P's
experience is easily drawn. 1t is this
the path Of obedience is the path of safe
ty, the path of peace.
And the verdict of tie public will be
no sterner than this, that he has already
suffered enough modification and ex-
pense for the past transgression but that
another transgression of the same kind,
will be "a sin against light and know
ledge" and, according to his own theo-
logical principles, worthy of a much Sc
verer punishment,
TnX pnpI-II