The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-07-16
To Wed Or Not to Wed ?-.-Celibacy ant
MatrimOny.

To Wed Or Not to Wed !-.-Celibacy anu
Matrimony.
AS the world we'll knows, but as the world
NAV not take the trouble to dwell upon very
often in the meditative way, there be weddings
and weddings. The common excuse OF the
Young man Of the period, when asked why he
does not marry, and why he prefers to 1--we
bachelor and questionable moral life, is that he
cannot afford to take wife, thereby suggesting
that matrimony is one of the expensive luxu-
ries of this life, and, therefore, one to be
avoided if possible In the abstract, matrlmony
is what the heart of humanity yearns tor, or at
least an association of the sexes which shall
approximate the legalized condition, even IT it
does not carry the responsibility or the ex-
pense. It is here that much of the false NOR
ality of the day takes its rise, and much OF the
prejudice against following out the divine com
mand to unite has its origin. There is tenden-
cy on the part of young men TO remain IN oacne-
lorhood until, at least, they can offer some as
with their heart, handsome fortune, or at
least, the foundation for one.
The result of this is that marriages are not as
numerous in what may be termed the Leading
circles as among the plain and fustian clad la
borers who live lives of honest poverty, marry
Young, rear children and cannot afford to be
ANYTHING else than people ofsturdy morality, be-
cause, for one reason, they cannot afford to be
anything else. The young people of metropo-
Titan Cities like Chicago, who have been out
somewhat in society, don't care to be married
unless they can approach, to degree, the ele-
gance of surroundings attending the nuptlals
of parties in afluent circumst auces, and the at
tempt to initiate such in point of wealth or the
social station not only acts with telling effect
upon them in manner which they keenly
feel, but is also liable to stamp them as preten.
tious shoddytes 1t would be much better dld
the several classes of this worlds society feel
content to live upon their individual plane
and act according to their station and their
means.
1t is pleasing conceit of many of the old
heads of to-day that married life of the present
has few of the characteristics of the unions of
their time Fathers who in the years agone,
with an honest dollar in their pocket and a few
acres of stony land, took to their hearts some
rustic country lass with handsome dowry OF
one COW and a wealth of homespun frocks and
woolen stockings, wonder why it is that nova
days, as their maturing sons and daughters be-
gin to cast about for life partners, they find the
matter based almost entirely upon financial
considerations. The old mans son looks for
an alliance with plethoric purse, willing to
accept some young girl into the bargain tor
convenience, while the old mans daughter is
wooed by some other ambitious rogue with
false representations as to wealth and keen
eve upon her prospective ducats. Suspicion
begets suspicion; falsity caters to falsity; mis-
representation fattens upon Misrepresentation
dishonesty breeds dishonesty Prctentous pow
erty courts worthy opulence; wealth is often
deceived by glttering sham. Alliances of this
character are crying evils of the day, and are
responsible for much that tends to throw an
odium upon society and make humanity doubt
whether there is any genuine constancy or at
fection among those who number themselves
with the leading classes. There is too great
desire on the part of young married people for
display, too great longing after conditions
which they cannot always supply. Failure in
this, allied to cold-blooded marital relations,
tends to destroy the happiness that should re-
suit from a sincerity Of unison. This is the
prevailing sentiment and frequent result, no
matter whether it is the rule or not. For the
honor of mankind, the lookerson upon the
social drama are in duty bound to believe the
instances that are almost daily cited are the
noteworthy exceptions.
There are weddings and wcddings-the din
ner of herbs and contentment Herewith and
the stalled OK with bitterness and strife
Unions with small means and genuine affec-
ton outlive these which bring only unrealizcd
wealth and Jealous chickering's. Better the
happiness and plain, homely life of the for
mer generation than the deceits and misrep-
reservations of many who make up the present
circle of society. Want of means, Joined with
suspicious distrust of the sex, a general desire
to assume degree of style which cannot be
reached, keep many of the young men of the
day from entering the matrimonial state. It is
Just rs we'll, perhaps, that such should remain
single, for the result of such unions is, as above
stated, one of unquestionable benefit to either
party.
Yonng men and young women will be hap
pier when they come to the sensible conclusion
that wealth and position are not the only goal to
reach through the avenue of matrimony. They
will pass plcasanter lives and know more of the
felicity of sexual relations when they strip
themselves of the garb of deceit and practice
that which is honest and sincere. There will
then be fewer of tho single brotherhood who
spend their substance upon women of question
able repute simply because they have not the
means to support a fashionable wife, and moro
sensible women with the single aim of econom-
ical unions to deserving men. Could the greed
for display be eradcatcd from the heart, there
might be more eminent degree of meritorious
alliances, which would reflect the utmost credit
upon the social world and reflect greatly upon
individual WORTH Chicago Times.
- The other day, on Michigan Central
train coming East, was an old lady who had