The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-03-29
MISCELLANY
mArnIMosY ON 1000 YEAR.

The first remark we desire to make on this
The second Is that 1t is no attempt at either
wit or humor. And the third is that It Is the
most serious, social, national question of the
age. 1t is worthy not only of the editorial
page of religious newspaper, but of the pull
pit, of the platform worthy of an abiding
place in any system of morals, of any work
on political economy, or of the profoundest
consideration of the statesman Hence we
shall not dare more than few surface srg-
gestions, for it is subject which grows; as
we reflect upon it, until, in its qualifications,
it reaches from the heart to the circumference
of society, and expresses itself in all its move
ments. Where can honest competent and
even cultivated poor men get wives that will
accept their position and circumstances and
be happy in them until honest toll and
thoughtful endeavor had raised them higher?
Any one who can answer this question, in
this juncture of our history, will be a savior
of his country's honor, and the promoter of
social virtue and family happiness and
worthy of a better crown than decks the
monarch's head.
We know of a pastor who was consulted by
with Christian young man-2respected botls
in church and in business, with considerable
cultivation, and good business abilities-who
received salary of 800. 1t was fearful
EFFICIENCY in that family. One would have
thought, from the haggered looks of the par
ents, that they had buried darling, and had
been compelled to walk to the funeral.
"Why," said they :" he is not able to keep
her. When we heard it, the thought flashed
upon US, is it possible, at this juncture in
human Affairs, that to be kept is woman's
matrimonial ultimatum? 1t has not been be-
yond the memory of many when women would
have spurned such condition of marriage.
There are mothers who entered their vows and
ambitions to help the love of their hearts in
to wealth and honor, and who felt themselves
full partners in each triumph, and could have
Wed with even the Apostle Paul, in the honor
of saying, a. These hands have administered
to my necessities, and to them that were with
me-"
But the coming wife of the present time is
one who, in her friends estimation, and her
own too, is to be given to the one who can
keep her; which means too often, one who
can idulge her in all the unwomanly whims
and caprices of an idle, fashionable life. But
the young lady seeking advice was as selfish
as her parents, though she mingled her de-
cision with tears. When she was assured that
she could marry the one she loved, if she
would do her own work, and live in six
roomed house, said, WE'LL If papa won't
help us, l suppose shall have to give him
up.''
1t may be replied that this is an exception,
and that there are multitudes of as heroic wo-
men as ever lived. We would not for mo-
ment deny this, but we as strongly assert that
they do not constitute any proportion of what
might be said to be the daughters of wealth,
or even well-to do families. Nor are these
daughters to blame. They have breathed the
atmosphere Of selfishness until it is in their
blood, and unless they can rise above the con-
slant featuring about marrying men able to
keep them, are no more to blame then for hav-
ing red blood The heart may be heroic, but the
girl has no power to brave universities in
She is like the hero who, excusing. himself for
not having any liking for the hottest of the
fight said he supposed no man living had a
drawer heart but said he, g no man liy-
ing has such cowardly limbs 1t is ideal re-
finement to know nothing about work. 1t is
elegant to say, languidly, go, hate work"
As the result, multitudes have no physical
constitution. The young lady cannot walk
without painting. If she runs a square or
two, it is to sit down to be famed, and feebly
call for the camphor BOTTLE Her sixty years.
old mother can walk the breath out Of her,
and if there is any drudgery to be done, I'M
dertakes it, that the delicate daughter may
keep her feebfeness. All that such woman
can hope for, in the future, is to marry man
who can keep her. And what is a thousand
dollars year to one who has no more idea Of
! the toll and muscle required to make an