The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-04-03


will be in the field.-Raieigh Progress.
MARRIAGE on THE DECLINA-One of the phe-
nomena of the times is growing unpopuarity
in the marriage institution. The number of mar
rlages is relatively growing less every year, espe-
cially in cities. A New York correspondent of
the Illinois Journal gives the following as the re-
suit of his observation this important subject:
There have been no marriages of consequence
in what may be termed thigh fe' this season,
nor ANYTHING like the usual number among the
middle classes. Now and then we see wedding
cards, or a bride at the opera or evening par.es
but the number is astonshingly small. People
are of course marrying all the time, but who are
they! People whom nobody knows. The ever
lasting poor are tying themselves up for life as
usual.
When man reaches that depIorable condi-
ton that he has not change of shirts to his back,
he is in fit condition for the sacrifice. That has
always been strong incentive to the altar-bound,
that when fortune frowns her hardest, and when
things have gone to their worst, many man
defes fate and takes wife. If his lot in life
improves, and it can hardly do otherwise he gives
the institution the credit. In business circles and
in the social scale there has always been pre-
MUM on marriage. The man who takes Il wife
gives hostages 70 fortune, and has bound himself
more firmly to the drudgery of toll. Merchants
and bankers raise the salary of a young man
when he marries, and frequently refuse to do it
until then. 1t has passed into proverb that if
a man do not marry young, it grows less and less
probable with him, and this is, perhaps, after all,
the best argument for early marriages.
There is d lesson in this state of affairs inpor-
tant for US to learn. 1t is bv no means novel
thing under the sun, and is not altogether left to
/ hnr, ,c ntn Of ba li1o-
ton of the time and country. Not only has
polygamy lost its attractions monogamy is
growing into disfavor. A similar state of things
is recorded of Rome under Augustus, who, found
it necessary to put series of penalties upon
celibacy and prevent unmarried persons inheriting
their parents property. So that in the words Of
Plutarch, 1.-The Romans married to be heirs, not
to have them" 1t was at time when the eter
nal city was rolling in riches. Dissipation and
extravaganza were SO rife that sumptuary laws
were enacted.
At the same time the fashion Of dress .adorn-
ment had been carried to an unparalleled height.
Compare this state of things with that which
has prevailed in Paris for years, and which is
now manifest in New York. Concubinage is
one of the consequences and now the prodgal
lorette excltes the envy and paronizes the grand
ladies of the city. Public celibracy is private
shame. True, We have not yet reached the eli
macteric Of Paris and London indecency. We
have nc Teresa, Olympia, Annonyme, or De
Beresford, with which to turn the heads of
young spendthrifis, and out dazzle the women
of fashion with their own tawdy grandeur. Our
Louisas, Madelines and Josephines have
more private role yet.
They have their little crowd of admirers
They strip their "friends" of few hundreds
only, aud instead of giving grand select balls to
distinguished personages, they more modestly
content themselves with box at the Academy
and petit somper at DeImonico's.
But the tendency of the times is in the same
direction. The paror and drawing room attlac-
lions grow feebly less, while the coarser tasci
nations of the casino increase. What shall we do
about it? Shall our fair and fashionable maid
ems initiate the wives and daughters of the
wicked French capital, and compete with those
per!ous sirens, by approaching nearer to them,
and so defeating them by their own weapons
Or shall they leave it to time and returning
reason? Perhaps little motherly-like
plainness, economy and usefulness might wean
The men from this false worship; or, mayhap,
'tis just as we'll as it stands
An Irishman recently stopped at hotel out
,,rott1, b;ob Hills ,rara oh arrad -