The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-09


their course. They see the Supreme Court Of
the county, which they have been trained to
regard as the very impersonation of Justice
and dignity, sanctioning the dissolution of the
marriage tie. They see Justices of the Peace,
perhaps, sometimes, Ministers of the Gospel,
uniting these divorced persons again with
others in holy matrimony. And what is the
result What can it be, other than the general
corruption of the public conscience, aud con-
temptuous disregard for the appeals of the few
remaining fastidious, reverent, and religious
citizens.
One part Of the remedy must be for the
clergy and laity both to educate the public
mind and conscience as to the solemuity,
I righteousness and indissolubility of marriage,
and to endeavor to reform it. Another reme-
dial means, which we may hope is generally
practised by our clergy, must be to ascertain
the facts when parties apply for marriage, and
TO decline to join in holy matrimOny either of
two divorced parties, both being alive, except
II be the innocent party to a divorce, granted
only upon the ground of adultery. Again,
the statute law of every State should, so far
as practicable, solemnize and dignity the estate
OF marriage. by preventing all hasty, secret,
Illegal and irresponsible marriages. In the
State of Vermont, as the law now stands,
since abolishing the publication OF the bans, it
regulates only the age and degree of relation
ship of the parties, it forbids polygamy, it
vides a form of certificate of marriage
when consummated. Besides this, there
! is absolutely no law in Vermont on
the subject. Men and women, known
and unknown, publicly and privately, at any
hour of the day or night, without signature,
| without witnesses, without Identification,
clandestinely or otherwise, upon the bare i'm
| pulse of the moment, or by deliberate plot
| ting, are allowed to follow out any device or
| desire which their own prudence, passion,
| folly, or cunning may dictate. The law gives
no attention or respect to the subject which
| tends to dignity and vindicate the true honor
or marriage. 1t affords the officiating minister
no protection against deceit or fraud. 1t does
nothing to identity the parties for the sake of
peace and good order of the community. 1t
| gives the friends of the innocent and unsus-
pectlrg no opportunity to detect and expose
| profigate designs. Is does nothing to secure
the family circle from possible invasion. 1t
simply ignores, as far as possible, the whole
subject. In these sentiments, we doubt not,
our readers most heartily concur. Should
not then the statute law of every State es-
tablish precautions and protective for
| maities' by which the parties to a marriage
shall be distinctly identified as citizens in
| their respective communities; by which their
intention of marriage shall be duly signed in
the presence OF competent residents, and regis
tered by the proper officer; by which definite
gistration, witnesses required to be present at
the marriage, and certificate or license fur
nshed for the assurance of the officiating
Minister of Justice, perhaps to be counter
signed by him, and returned to the Office Of
the Town Clerk These simple requirements
will procure greater respect for the union thus
solemnized. They will put no bar to the mar
riage of any honest citizen, whatever be his
rank or station; they will protect the COM
munity to some extent against the misfortune
of illjudged, hasty, clandestine, and
perhaps criminal unions; and by thus
elevating the views of the people as to mar
riage they will contribute, it is hoped and
believed, to lessen the number of divorces.
And finally, efforts shall be made all good
men united, and the public sentiment aroused
where practicable to procure such change in
the law as shall prohibit the dissolution of the
marriage bond except only in case of the adul-
terry of one of the parties; increasing also, il
need be, the pains and penalties incurred by
adultery; and in special cases of hardship au-
thorizing separation, if necessary be, a menSa
ct hOro; leaving the way open to future recon
cilatiOn of the parties, but absolutely re-
fusiDg permission to marry again while both
the parties live, and treating all such marriages
as criminal.