The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-03-21
Divorces.

We notice that there is a law in
Georgia which requires that q suit for
divorce from the marriage relation
shall be continued through the three
| terms of the court. 1t seems to US a
wise law, for it gives time to consider
reasons and estimate consequences, in
asmuch as three terms of the court will
run through eighteen months. 1t de-
cides, moreover, that there is some i'm
portance in marriage bond, snd that
it Is not to be dissolved in hurry, on
Pigment of jealousy, or freak of
passion. II the Legislature of Georgia
has not been conspicuous for the WIS
dom of all its constituents, 1t is enti-
tied to credit for passing law which
may be help to domestic comfort and
happiness.
1t is trite proverb that men and
women marry in haste and repent. at
leisure. If the bride and bridegroom
looked seriously upon their VOWS and
obligations, and regarded the flower S
of their nuptials as emblematic of the
bright links which would bind them
together in the new condition, the
bloom of the wedding would not so
often be obscured by the shadow of
the divorce. They ought to read what
Jeremy Taylor says about marriage,
aud the reciprocal duties of husband
and wife. The lDjunctions of the phi
losophic divine, joined to their own
common sense, might prevent the in
fluence of those MISUNDERSTANDING
and chickering's which often lead to
rupture of the pleasing bond.
Perhaps. the law in Georgia might
have been fully as wise il it had. de-
creed that no marriage should take
place which had not been settled by
an acquaintance and courtship equal to
the period required for q reasonable
divorce. A law of this kind might
interfere with many unions prompted
by love at first sight, but IN the end it
would prove benefit to the contract
ed relations. It has been often said
that matches are made in heaven, -
but it has been added by some sarcas-
tic observer that they are often "dipped
in a warmer place" Whatever we may
wish to think, we have sometimes been
obliged to believe that there was truth
and point in the sarcasm. The many
applications in the courts for a separa-
ton from bed and board show clearly
that the warn passion of the heart
often supersedes the cool of the judg-
ment. Marriage in any case, as the
world goes, is q sort of lottery, and it
is only after all things have been fixed
at the domestic or ecclesiastical altar,
and life has entered upon its round Of
daily responsibilities and cares, that
the husband or wife comes fully to re
a'iZe the result of the turning whee
has been blank or a prize.
So We consider that the law OF Geor-
gia should have begun at the begin
ming. 1t should have taken cogni
zance of that purple atmosphere which
is often SO bewilderiRg to young eyes,
and 1t should have decreed that the
imaginary union of hearts should b.
tested by process of time, which
would make the hnal act of junction
only ceremony and type. The darts
of Cupid fly thick aud fast, and they
are blind in their aim. No one can tell
how soon his heart may feel wound.
The tender muscle may congratulate
itself In Its isolated independence that
it is ''as lodge in garden of cucum-
bers," but before the though: has
passed it has become ''besieged CITY,"
And the multitude of years, although
it may be said to BRING wisdom, is no
fortress against the tender passion. II
youth is full of susceptible imagina-
tions, old age preserves the memories
of its early fancies and feelings. Abra-
ham YVES not young man in common
acceptation when he made Sarah his
wife. And, to come down to modern
times. Thomas Lord had passed the
bound of four-score years when he
yielded TO the charms of a fascinating
widow II there was some trouble in
both these marriages in years which
should have been full of experience and
wisdom, it only shows the need Of
forethought and carefulness in the
union of youthful hearts. And for
this reason it seems to US that the law
of Georgia should have taken note Of
marriage in its first premises It shnuld
have decreed that the connnbi4l bond
should not be sanctifed By justice or
priest until the experience OF the &C
a. nniance Of the bride and bridegroom