Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-23

seeiaI and Domestic LIE Ia sew York.
From the Richmond Times.l
We have no means Of dctern,ining how
many divorces are annually obtained in
New York city and the New England States,
but the number Is, no doubt astounding. If
we are to judge from our exchanges and the
published proceedings Of the courts. The
divorce business is one Of such magnitude
and importance, in some Of the Northern
States and cities, that there are firms and
individuals of the legal profession who de-
vote themselves nearly altogether 20 match
breaking. We have before rs nov the ad-
veriisements of two lawyers in NewYork,
who promise to procure divorces legally
and without publicity; other good cases
prosecuted without fee in advance" Di-
vorce cases are Of that "gcod " character re-
quiring no fee in advance and one Of
such frequency that members Of the legal
profession, like the vendors Of quack medi-
cines, advertise for the patronage of agpriev-
ed wives and wronged husbands. Happi-
ness in the matrimonial state seems to have
become SC questionable that thousands Of
those whom though " GoD hath ioined to-
gether,p are vet seeking to be aput asnn-
der,n by the aid of eosrt of chancery.
Inc solemn ana amposiug ooiiganons OF the
marriage vow, assumed IN me presence o.
UoD and human witnesses, contracted Tor
Lifetime, the highest and aoiiest Of human
INSTITUTIONS, have almost allen TO the level
OF contracts growing out o. wheat corn and
potatoes Indeed we inter that II Is more
diincult to relieve clients nom the effects OF
corn, wheat and potato contracts than from
these OF the marriage relation, for We ind
lawyers promise with great certainty what
they will do legally and without publi-
city IN the latter case, while they are silent
with reference 10 all other species oil ntiga-
non. lhe glorious uncertainty OF the
law however appropriate when other cases
are regarded, 1t seems has no application to
divorces.
When we consider that such cases as the
Harris and Strong suits for divorce are oc-
curing in families Of. wealth and respecta-
bllity, In other places besides Hartford and
New York, and to an extent beyond any
thing revealed by the press; when We re-
collect that suits Of this character are always
conducted with as much reserve and privacy
as possible, and that they are, as the New
York lawyer tells us, procured legally and
without publicity we are prepared, from
what we read and know, to form some esti-
mate OF the damaging elects OF free-Loye
and Woman's Rights doctrines in this coun-
try.
In all ages, and among all Christian and
civilized nations, the enlightenment, the so
cial, moral and physical prosperity OF peo-
pie can be measured and determined by
consideration OF the degree OF sanctity and
lnviolahility ascribed 70 the relation OF hus-
band and wife The institution OF marriage
lies at the bottom of the social compact
and Is the pillow upon which civilized socie-
tty Is constructed and maintained; from it
law, government and religion derive their
strength and support. And whatever as
sails the institution OF marriage tends 30 the
subversion of society in laws, morals and.
religion. F
IL is not favorable or healthy sign, that
the great conservative element Of marriage
should be regarded as civil contract, liable
to be vacated at the will Of the parties. So
ciety is diseased where such ideas and prac-
tices prevail.