Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-10-11
Atscrllanrnns
MARRIAGE AND DlvoRCE.

Bishop Whtehouse, 10 his annual address to the
Episcopal convention Of Illinois said 49,
" It is not to be doubted that. in harmony with
the march Of deeper reflection, moral sense, and
religious principle OF our country, you have been
shocked and startled by the spreading depreciation
Of the marriage tie the facility with which divorce
from IL is obtained the demoraliLing statements
and facts on the subject, which are shown in for
NAL discussion current literature the daily press,
and licentious cohabitation. | would be thankful
il reasonable doubt could be sustained on this aw-
ful fact Of our vehement age IL is more than an
accident. IL is linked with deep. unprincipled
purpose. IL is movement Of socialism and inf
deity, Of multitude who have grown up creed
less, and hence goddess; Of an education which
has instructed the mind and neglected the affect
ons; of philosophy which gorlhes the instincts
and passions of our corrupt nature and defines AMI
NAL impulse as the voice Of God. As the marriage
contract is only civil obligation, and state law
is in many respects loose in the guards and checks
upon IT, facilities are offered for separation and
divorce which tempt resort to this formal disco
luton in case Of mere domestic disnrrnngement
and hardship. The moral effect OF discipline
from the conviction Of the all but rrevocabe force
Of the vow, has thus become pervadngly damaged
Husband and wife alike admit the practicably Of
separation as remedy, and the causes which ulu-
maely force the final plunge are allowed to gath.
er and roll on in heedloss defiance.
The facility Of separation destroyes all mutual
confidence, and inhames every trihing dispute
There are solemn warnings on this fearful social
decadence on the page Of history. Greece and
Rome, for ages shame our Christian liceutous-
ness Roman philosophers poets, and satirsts
hold up to public scorn and Indignation the wanton
and extensive abuse Of a liberty Of divorce which
probably did not equal ours. The institution Of
Romulus made the marriage indissoluble; aud
though the Twelve Tables gave to the husband
the freedom Of divorce yet the republic had exist
ed five hundred years when the first instance Of
divorce occurred, and the distinguished expert
merter was loaded for it with public opprobrium
Augustus endeayored by law to put some restraint
upon the facility Of divorce, but the check was
oyerpowered by the prevailing corruptness of man
ners. 1t was the beginning Of the end when that
great nation persisted, utterly destroyed by its
own corruption.
When the French revolution swept away the
usages Of ages and the sanctity of religion its
special war seemed against the marriage contract
and six thousand divorces are said to have taken
place in the city OF Paris alone in the space OF two
years and three months
If there be a truth beyond all question where
Gods law, social experience the uniform record
of our species. every of testimony, warning,
and appeal concur it is the sacredness of the
marriage bond, and the national decline which at
tends tolerated disregard or facile rupture of its
divine constitution.