Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-13
THE DIVORCE QUESTION.

THE AvOSCE FSS
A bill has been introduced in the
California Senate by Pierson, OF San
Francisco, we believe, which makes
adultery the only legal cause for dis
solving the marriage bond. Although
this measure may be considered radi-
cally retrogressivs, it will doubtless be
heartily Endorsed by several highly re-
spectacle and influential classes of the
community, who regard with feeling
almost akin to horror the facility with
which the matrimonial bonds are an
nulled in many Of the States of the
Union, and more especially those of
the Pacific Slope. The marriage rela-
ton is held SO sacred by certain relig-
ious denominations, and in certain cir
cles of society, as to be regarded as in
dissoluble except for a single cause.
No matter, how uncongenial the par
ties may be; no matter how clearly it
may have been demonstrated to them
that they can not live together in peace
and harmony; no matter how clearly
it may have been proven that the mat
rimonial contract was a blunder, and
that the continuance of the relation
can entail nothing but misery; no
matter how earnestly both may desire
t 0 sever the intolerable bond, the sep
avation of the i~ll-assorted pair is re-
garded in the extreem religious and
social point of view as a scandal and a
sin. This is the opinion held by a
large number of pious and good peo-
pie, and the bill above mentioned re-
fleets these orthodox aid highly re-
spectacle views. On the other hand,
the more modern theory which has
rapidly gained ground within the last
two decades, bases the question upon
the broad principles of individual rights
protesting against the sacrifice of the
happiness of q lifetime in consequence
of the mistake of a moment, and in
sisting that the forced continuance of
uncongenial wedlock is in violation
of the laws of nature and An outrage
upon the decencies Of life. Much can
be said upon both sides of the ques-
ton. The press Of California, so far
as an expression has been given, ap-
pears somewhat opposed o the meas
ure. The San Francisco Chronicle, in
an article upon the subject, sums up
tie ease as follows:
"The questions opened by Senator
Persons bill are as complex IS they
are momentous. Much is 70 be said
on both sides. Great evils san be
traced TO easy divorces. But are they
greater than those which spring from
enforced union between those who
have come to detest each other? If a
man neglects to provide for his wife;
If he is cruel to her; il he outrages her
sensibilities and subjects her to priva
ton and humiliation; it he ~persistently
violates every vow he made at the
altar, is she still to yield him love and
obedience, to submit to his brutality,
and to permit him to drag her down to
his own beastly level? Does she owe
no duty I o herself aud to her own indi-
viduality? Has she forfeited her nat.
ural right to liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness? Is the romantic girl OF
seventeen, who under the influences
OF the illusions Of youth idealizss a
scoundrel into a hero and marries him,
to be bound to him for life and shut
off forever from the hope of a brighter
future when ripper years have brought
her wisdom and knowledge of the
world? These are some Of the con-
flicting considerations which the Leg
islature will be called upon to weigh.
They will be found worthy of the
most serious attention; and all the as
sembled wisdom OF the State now in
session at the Capitol is not greater
than will be required to grappel with
them"
THE Washington correspondent Of q