Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-04
MATRIMONY.
TIE Extravaganza of the Times Re
spOusibIe for the Scarcity Of
MarFiages-A Thorough
ReVieS.

New York World
Alone Of all the United States the
state Of wedlcck has, through TevOlu-
tions, foreign wars and civil disturb
apces, been able to preserve intact the
forms and traditions Of conservative
government. Here female suffrage is in
full force, and the Salic law obtains.
Though its institutions are supposed
originally to have been based or equit-
able principles, woman, by long series
OF insidious and oppressive measures,
has gradually encrOacned on the rights
of man, and possessed herself OF all Judi.
cial, legislative and executive powers,
till 1t has come to be her maxim that
man has 10 rights she is bound to re-
spect. 1t is not, therefore, matter of
surprise that Of late years men have hes
itated to settle in this state, which has
heretofore been looked upon as land
flowing with milk and honey. II we
are TO believe recent advicgs there is
widespread feeling of discomfort preva-
lent among the hapless males OF this
State, and a strong inclination to sell
out or emigrste at any cost, an
inclination only restrained by the
strong arm of the law. But,
besides, the matrimonial market has
since the panic been extremely dull, and
heads Of families are in most dependent
mood. 1t had been hoped last fall that
the usual winters festivities or marriage
fairs would have witnessed revival in
trade, and every legitimate effort was
made by those having on hand stocks
held over from the previous season to
force off goods that were rapidly grow
ing out OF fashion and depreciating in
value. Prices were literally marked
down; young ladies who before the
panic were held 10y themselves) at a
Fifth-svenue house, Newport villa and
an Opera.box, mOdestly hung out signals
Of distress, and openly avoWed their pre-
elections for love in cottage. But so
depressed was the general feeling that
| even with these concessions very little
real business was transacted; there was
much diminishing but few serious en-
: gagements. 1t is well known that at
this mon ent it is matter of anxious
debate with the heads of our leading up
town houses as to what is the best plan
to adopt during the coming summer
campaign to infuse more brisk
ness and firmness into the market.
| 1t is, at least, an open question whether
| the increased budget necessary to a
vigorous taking of the field at Sharon or
Saratoga would be justified in view of
| the barren results at these matrimonial
centers during the past two years. These
summer exchanges certainly attract the
better class of buyers, but competition is
necessarily so much the keener. EX-
perience, too, has shown that two weeks
at a quiet seaside or mountain resort will
practically promote more business mot
to speak Of the vastly reduced percentage
of operating eXpensts) than two months
at a I" .iOnaOle wateripg-place; but
without men it is impossible for even the
most beautiful and accomplished of
| maidens TO launch her little bark on the
sea matrimonial, and desirable men, the
genuine, high. priced articles, rarely are
| Kept on hand at the more modest re-
sorts. When, however, they are found
| there, they are had at as eminent dis
advantages as whales in shoal water,
and, helpless for stout and prolonged re-
sistance, fell an easy prey to their great
enemy. Veteran dOwsger dealers, who
| for the last forty years have been en-
gagged in this branch Of trade, freely con-
| TESS that during the whole course of
| their commercial experiences they have
never known SO prolonged a period of ex-
treme depression, with not the faintest
glimmer of better times. The outlook
is indeed gloomy. Washington, which
dgriDg the winter season is a sort of
matrimonial Novg nrod or Leipzig, offer
ing to the speculative investor greater
choice Of goods than can be found at
any other center in this country, was so
overstocked last year that there was a
Iaall OF a. least fifty per cent. in first class
fancy calicOes, and even at these ruin
Gus sacrifices, though the offerings were
large, but little property changed hands.
IN truth there has been OF late very lit
tie marrying and giving in marriage
and, much as we regret to acknowledge
it, The commercial spirit of the age
seems in certain walks of life TO be the
dominant influence under which alli-
ances are contracted. For all practical
purposes, so far as marriage is concerned,
| Mercury has taken the place OF Cupid.
OuT fathers had, or are supposed to have
had, different views on these matters
The extravaganza of the times, which
is made to answer for so much, must
bear the additional reproach of having
made marriage less frequent than in
| other days. 1t is q great and serious
misfortune, which cannot but weaken
| those healthy home influences that pre-
serve society and strengthen nation,