The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-07-08
Breach of Promise-What Charles Lever
Thinks About It.

more eIecludl III ouPPi 0SS''S o"So
ces than trial at bar. The redress which
can only be approached by humiliation
and "a terror is no redress at all; and II we
sounded the depth of public feeling, we
should find there is more contemptuous
sentiment for her who has gained the
damages than for him who has paid them.
AS have said before, the real hero is the
defendant; he has had his clark" and he
has paid for it. Two thousand or three,
perhaps, seem good deal to give tor a
Irritation and confidential correspon-
dcnce but he has shown the public what
dangerous dog he is, what terror he
might be IN neighborhood-not to say
that he has cast a shadow over whole
life, and left an undying memory of treach-
cry where he had promised fidelity and
loyalty.
Why will not public opinion, so unfor-
giving to the duelist, extend some OF Its
severity to the cases that dueling knew
how to deal with or, if it will not per-
nit the pistol, why not measure out to
the betrayer some of that indignation it
now bestows on him who fights? Declare
these mon infamous. 1t is no case for q
moneu reparation We have in part dis
carded that base dmende in some other
cases ; let us have done with it here. De-
grade the man who breaks his pledge
when solemnly given to make girl his
wife, from whatever station OF honor or
profit he possesses, and pronounce him
disqualified to serve the Crown. If wo-
mon depend on men for their protection,
here is the case of all others that calls for
that protection. To accept these men IN
society, to receive them in our clubs, to
make them associates and companions, is
shame and disgrace on US. TO shun
the sharper and the blackleg, and to know
one of these, is an outrage on sense as
well as on decency.
In the laxity with which we treat this
guilt we contribute to its frequency.
Make breach-of- omise-ot-marriage as
dlsgraceful us cheating at play, and you
will suppress it more effectually than if
you quadrupled the damages; or, if you
will not do this-if you will maintain the
pleasant theory that courtsbip is game
where the players stand OR equal terms,
and that it is national gain to US if the
ladies of our fumilies learn to temper the
flow of their affection with some knowl-
edge of the law of contracts-that girls
are better fitted to become wives and
matrons, from having their minds plenti-
fully armed with distrast, and prepared
to regard every man as possible black
guard-if, we say, you desire to maintain
all this, the result will be very acute
class of young ladies, which will lead to
fewer cases of breach-ot.promise, but in
return give you q larger crop of suits for
divorce and separation. 1t is not merely
because am an Irishman that like a
little Lynch law, but really believe
'lynching" enlists larger share of pub
lie sympathy in its exercise than all other
forms OF justice; and it has two other
merits-it is both speedy and inexpen-
sive.
A friend Of mino. for whose opinion
and judgment l have great Difference,
tells me that in my zeal to punish these
traitors of false faith am likely to put
down that pleasant pastime called f1irta-
ton. But demur to this dlctum; I'm
sure l never heard it alleged that the
universal Peace Association" decried
fireworks, and actually abjurcd rockets.
AS for Irritation, maintain it to be not
only an innocent, but an improving
pastime just as certain games with
wooden segments of countries instil no.
tons OF geograpy, Irritation is reading
made easy" Of love making and as there
are vast numbers of people who require
that all this instruction should be given in
some. easy and agreeable mode, this prac-
lice is by no means to be condemned
Ii it were not that l intend to preach
on this text some day at more length, l
would go more freely into the matter,
now, and say what esteem and value L
feel for Irritation. l cannot imagine, be-
sides that l have, in what l have said
here, discouraged the practice, any moro
than any man who denounces cheating at
cards should be supposed to be averse to
whist playing What | uphold is, that
the game should be played Loyalty. There
is great deal of sparring with the gloves
on, and very pretty sparring too; but it
is we'll to remember that when people
mean to be in earnest they showit openly
and palpably. Now in "firtaton proper"
the gloves arc always on, and, even ifsomc
smart taps are delivered, they seldom
leave a mark And all l have said here
is directed to those who, after throwing
the gloves aside, inflict heavy wounds,
but are always ready to say:"I'm slre |
never mean, it; fanced it was only play.
AS for my part, l never intended to be-
serious"
- Deacon B., of Ohio, a very pous
.... .n4ad fon hic lnnnr Nun Y q rs