, 1865-09-21
So1ac Reflections. on Modern Nlntfl-
monys
CuIcA0o. Sept, 20, 1866.


Editors Chicago Tdbnne:
From happenings noted hero and there du-
ring tho last six months, 1t seems to me that
tie world is not standing still, by any means,
but Is raptdly working Itself into couyulsions.
The old, pure, standard principles seem
eycu il they ase not actually passing away
10 be receiving some pretty hard knocks. I
notice this In the social world. Indeed, to
como at oncc 10 tho point, I arrive at what
burdens my mind at the present moment. I
notice 1t particularly In the matrimonial
world There sccns to be something wrong
somewhere. It Is getting 10 be- loo broadly
considered that the marriage coyenant Is not
life,lopg, sacred bond between the man nnd
woman who take It upon themselves, but
something Which may be rempae1Ied, like a
bonnet, or repealed altogether, like pliab!e
by-lnw,
! presume tie number " not small who 70
10 tue altar secretly resolving to this cGect:
I" If MN not lappy-if this indlvidul1 beside
nc proves fatse-ic VIC have &ny Of the mise
rable wrnnglcs and discords that other mar
ricd people hare, We will part at onco-1
won't bear it," This secret, resolve is like
foundation Of sand for the beautiful PalaIs
Roynr' Of welded hearts; and 1t Is no won.
der that, after few years, 1t comes topping
to the ground. Il the resolve had been:
"Comc what will, It slall be tho great aim OF
my life 10 make this loved one happy" then
VIC should sec this "Pn!ais'' standing, flsm
and strorg, through nil the years OF life, until
the ivy Of ngo garlands lis portals, and the
shadow Of ths last s'nset ms, sten!s oyer IT,
I'D togeth.r." It is well that tAe sweet,
leart-Ali1ing song Of "John Anderson, my
5or," WAS written years Agone, for 1t seems to
INC such d song could hardly be struck from
the Tyres of tho present generation. have
lra,d Lay mplher relate, and hare read in
marry and build up homes around them,
they had 1nrdships and trials; hut they we're
the hearts that were true to each other rs
steel. l think 1t WIS more heroic md un-
selt|sl. age OF lnatrinlony than the present
onc.
it is quite rare sight 10 zec t,po yonns peo-
pie married.. 4 man must first spend thirty
OF forty oi the best years Of his 1iie in aclnlr-
ing nn establishment" and then he 'tgoes''
Tor Etnc risky little kitten, fll her teens, to
manage it. You rarely sec eighteen welded
10 twtnty five. but you may ser, everywhere,
quite venerable tIlrty-llvt.s and iortlcs with
dolliks @ slxtesas hnnfing Il, Upon tl,elr delighted
wife lays oil lIcr burden of life md leaves,
tn1CEg the gay aud festive OF tie earth, d
mourning wldower, he-just Us sure Us the
world steuds-fnil!ib1y p!ofiegs his affections
to tic freshest hearted, rrtflcst-5rlEttGu I!ri
he can End. And It Is IN equally sure thing
thai she accepts him-if he Is rich aud stylish.
/ don't know how this fncouaruity orngcs Il
TO b. accounted for, unless IL man must be
twice as old as girl In ordrr to lnatch her in
cleyefness. (On thc whole, l think thts Is the
casey
Sometimes, regret to say, man does not
wait until his wife obligfngly lies down "1lt1-
der the t1afsies:'' hut, instead Of clinsing TO
that good, old, true heart, TINT has been With
him through sun aud storm, and always Filth
full and trie-hc has bis "littlc tlrtations."
Sometimes. too, the "ffisky ldttensr revolt
o. aiust their elderly companions, and fall 10
Ncrshipring at more enthusiastic shrlney. In
either case there Is nothing that b:eathes OF
the old heEoic nEe Of fidelity md noble honor.
And as fidelity and honor grow weaker tho
pistol IS being brought Into play. And It IS
being brought out on such trivial occasions
that would like some one t'gool in figures"
to tell inc how long II will be before hus-
bands dental to bug that sweet bonnet at
Madame BlImmcr's will be the signal for IN
ounce bullet in his brain.
The iIss- -unr1is spirit seems 10 be contn-
Eious but as women nre Incapable Of uslns,
ihc pistol fudit;o4sly, 1t will doubtless be
checked. After thai, the question arises,
Whit IL to 10 done with those men who have
no Lonor unless It he shot into tAems Can
the true and faithful loves II OF The sanity
days Of ynre" be brought abous s-the old
facEcd home "Grcsfdes'' be rcinstatcd ?-the
old iashilnea sanctitics Of family ties b: re-
gardcd. -
Il seems as If the carly education Of this
n. NJ.