The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-12-02
MISCELLANY
LIFE INSURANCE AND MArnImoSr.

That marriage is a literally sacred institu-
question were put to every man of the untold
thousands who are men of family, husbands
and fathers, as to whether or not they re-
coguze the sacred character of the marriage
tie, they would doubtless answer with indigna-
tion, and express surprise at the impcrtinencc
of such a query. They would doubtless all,
or nearly all, declare that they did their entire
duty, and left nothing undone which ought to
be DONE for the comfort, welfare and appi-
ness of those who were dependent upon them
for their worldly needs. When we utter the
broad and sweeping charge that not more
than one in every hundred of such, have in
reality, done their whole duty, we utter but
the simple truth, and we are prepared to prove
the correctness Of such a sweeping assertion to
the entire satisfaction of those who may feel
indignant, or who doubt the declaration.
The first inquiry ,promptcd in plainly dis
cussing this subject is g what is the duty of
a husband, or q father, as towards his wife, or
the offspring of his marriage?" Every man,
or every honest man at least, means when he
cntclS iutO tHC VI iHhtiitHonyt W
guarantee to the wife or her children, protec-
ton and provision, as against all the require
ments Of life as long rs they live. He agrees
and fully intends, during his own life, to Sc
cure this provision, and also to provide before
death for the requirements of the future, after
he shall have been called away and the de-
pendent ones left helpless and alone. We
would inquire just here, how many succeed in
making such provision? The untold thou
sands of suffering widows and helpless Or
phans best answer the question Who, then,
will deny that the husbands and fathers Of
these same helpless ones failed to do their
duty when they might have done SO, or who
every one hundred of those still living can
truthfully say that they are not derelict.
In the olden times it was the custom, where
marriage contract was effected, TO give it
somewhat the character Of an ordinary bust
ness contract, the wife being entitled to a
separate. settlement Of her own, secured to
her in due legal form. In many European
countries, the custom still prevails among the
wealthier classes, and that it is good one
cannot be denied, although it does not accord
with our American ideas Of equality. Here,
the law recognizes the rights of the wife by
securing to her at least share in the estate of
her deceased husband, and to her children
another share. But among SO fast-living a
people rs we are how few die possessed of
estates to bequeath to any? What then is to
become Of the family of the humber family
head when lie shall die, Of those husbands and
fathers not possessed of any realized means
and therefore unable to effect any settlements
upon either wives or children? These same
men may have begun their matrimonial ex-
perience in good health, with the brightest
hopes, and most sanguine expectations as to
the future. They may have, perchance, met
with business success and enjoyed uninter-
rupted prosperity through series of years,
and may even have accumulated a comfortable
competency when, one of life's many changes
may have brought business rcyerscs, or n loss
of health, and close upon its heels comes a loss
of wealth, be it much or little. Finally, the
end draws near, the family head is removed,
and the wife and children left to battle against
the troubles and trials of cold heartless and
unsympathizing world.
Have these husbands, these fathers, done
their whole duty? We would answer in
loudest tones, No; a thousand times, No.
But where is the remedy for the risks and
failures of life, even among the most exemp-
larry and prudent of business men; mem who
have lived temporarily, economically, and
with the one object always in view, of provid-
ing for the future wants of the dependent
ones? The answer, is a simple one. The
remedy is within the precincts of an institu-
ton of modern-day birth, but which has
grown to gigantic proportions to provide
security to all
IT IS LIFE INSURANCE
The foolish, over-prudent man, may answer:
ooh Iprefer my savings in bank, where
may always control them" Control them for
what purpose, we would ask To risk their
loss in some uncertain speculation that may