The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-08-05
Alarming Statistics.

LoosENEss or THE MARRIAGE TIE IN NEW ENGLAND.
We copy as follows from an article in the American
Quarterly Church Review for July: -.
We select Vermont as being by geographical posi-
ton the most secluded Of the New England States the
least affected by foreign emigration and by marriage
Of mixed natonaities, and probably with New Hamp-
SHIRE the most tenacious in maintaining the traditions
and social morals of the early settlers Vermont IS
divided into fourteen countless and for the last tour
teen years the population has not materially changed
We find therefore, that for the last five years the d.
vorces as nearly possible distributed as follows
among the counties: In Addison county to every 1000
persons the number of divorces is IL, and in Essex
county, g. To the great honor, or rather less shame
Of these countless this is the smallest proportion to be
found in any portion of the State. Iu five counties,
Crittenden, Franklin, Windham, Orange and Caledo-
MIA, the divorces vary in number from Is to II to
each 1000 people. In Orleans and Rutland counties,
there are to each 1000 people. In Bennington, La
noble, Grand Isle, Washington and Windsor coun-
ties, they number from 23 to "a to each 1000. For
the year 1852 there were granted 81 divorces; for
1868, 105; for 1864, l0l for 1861 al for 1856,
1856; sufficiently rapid increase, would think, to
alarm the most phlegmatic mind; steady increase
from 81 in 1882 to los, in 1866 the fifth year alone
showing and increase of 10 per cent. beyond the first
year. From another point of view, however, it comes
still more closely home. Observe that these divorces
have been increasing while the population Of the State
has remained stationary. The whole number of lbes
granted in the last five years amount 593 We have
then 593 divorces to 3l5 098 people, or one divorce
to every 532 persons. Here again, if we deduct so
per cent. for the children and youth under eighteen,
we have one divorce to every 266 manageable per-
sons, or one man in every 1873 men, and one woman
in every 1873 women personally concernedin this mat
ter. But perhapsa more startling view is derived
from comparison between the last five years of di
and the last five years of marriages There have
been, as we have said, in five years sos divorces.
There is also aggregate of 1926 marriages
nOrted durinp the 'wijnh hoWpyar poD1H
be fair to state at II 400, to cover the number
of marriages not reported through accident
lessness. Compare then 593 divorces with II, 400
marriages, and have this result of divorce
every marriages. Or, in other words to every 80
persons married during the last five years. two
concerned in divorce. We might add, that at this
rate there is certain degree of probability that dur
ing the next five years. two, at least, out of every
tbiry-eght persons entering into the married estate
will be divorced. If the annual increase of divorces
goes unchecked, the proportion will be still larger
Finally, the prospect is very dark from another point
of view. The last recorded year of marriages gives
the number Of 1888 cal it 5000 to compensate for
possible errors). This is the highest number of mar
riages in this State in any year. Now compare
this with the number of divorces l55, for the same
year. 1t will be found that whereas five years since
there was less than one divorce to every twenty-five
marriages. the latest yearly record assures of one
divorce to every nineteen marriages.
1t affords but sorry comfort to reflect that Vermont
is not alone In this melancholy rerograde march of
domestic morals in New England. In the State of
Massachusetts things are not quite SO bad but bad
enough, there being during the last five years l d.
vorce to A marriages. The State of Connecticut
shows a record worse than Vermont. There the ag
gregate of five years Of divorce to five years of mar
riages is as to 81 and during the last year as to TO-
Neither the States of Maine Rhode Island or New
Hampshire, have collected full statistics. From the
observations we have made, however and from the in
formation we have received, have no reason to sup
pose that either State give, at best, so good
record as Massachusetts. The estimated number of
divorces in the State of Maine for the last five years
$780, which, in proportion to the population gives one
divorce to every $50 men and women above eighteen
years of age, placing Maine upon little better stand
ing than Vermont. So far as numbers and cacula-
lions can approximate the exact truth the prospect
is dismal