The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-09-11
PRRMIuM ON OELIBAOY.

PREMIUM ON CELIBAOY.
During the late Rebellion, the United
States, anxious to recruit her army, of-
fered, as an inducement TO those who
should enlist, monthly pay, commuta-
ton. clothing, medical attendance II
sick. a pension if disabled or wounded,
and in case Of death a pension to the
widow, dependent mother or sister. The
pension was due to the soldier from the
time of his disability or wound. He
had right to expect it. It was prom
ised him, and be entered the service
under that agreement. Governments
looking forward 10 the exigencies Of the
war, aud realizing that the soldier So
Iicitous and anxious for the safety Of
the Republic, was equally solicitous
and anxious for the welfare and support
Of his wife, his mother or his sister,
promised and pledged a pension to the
widow or dependent mother or sister in
case Of his death. Afterward, in the
legislation necessary to carry into effect
the payment of such pensions, it was
provided that they should cease upon
their re-msrriage.
Hon. Augustus W. Cutler, of New
Jersey, introduced q bill in the House
Of Representatives, in February last,
providing for continuing the payment
Of pensions to widows, dependent moth
ers and sisters upon their re-marriage.
wisely urging, in favor of the bill, that
the law, as it now stands, is restrictive
of marriage. In support of his bill, Mr..
Cutler argues that all civilized nations,
all writers upon political economy in
every age, the laws Of every State in the
Union, and all the authors of all codes,
have insisted that laws restrictive OF
marriage and In derogation Of the mar
riage relation, if not absolutely void,
are vOidable.
And yet, 10 this nineteenth century,
the United States, the most liberal, the
most enlightened, the most advanced Of
all nations, has unfortunately allowed
this statute to become one of the laws OF
the land, where it remains, in antago-
nism to the laws Of all the States.
We, as a nation, boast OF our great
prosperity, aud point to our rapidly in
creasing population as an evidence Of
our power, and exultingly say that in
the year 1900 oar population will be %,
100000, If not more. We invite all Oi
every nation to our shores, and gladly
receive aud welcome those of every
cline to increase our population and
add to our national power and strength
and yet, by a law upon our statut,
books, we say to a very large number o
our own blood and kin, because yot
gave a husband, son or brother to you
country, and while we agreed as sligh
compensation for his loss to grant you
moderate pension for life because of hi
death, yet, if you become the wife o
another, and the happy mother Of an in
teresting family Of the future soldiers o
the country, then your pension shal
cease"
Mr. Cutler also urges that il is thu
duty of Congress, the same Congress
that has restored the full right OF citi
zenship to the living rebel soldier, {,
remember that the rights Of the widow
dependent mother or sister Of the dea,
loyal soldier shall not be abridged b,
their re- marriage.
There has been no legislation at
tempted in Congress during the pas
decade which points more strongl.
toward the final recognition Of the ful
rights Of citizenship for woman thai
this. When law and custom cease {
indulge in such legislation as prescribe
marriage or provides penalties for it
commission that tend to place a pre-
MUM upon eelibacy-legislation tina
extends not only to the widows, depend
ent mothers or sisters of dead soldiers
but to all the other women Of the lam
whose highest mission is, or unde
proper encouragement would be, moth
erhood-every honorable mother i'm th
land will he entitled to a moderate pen
sion sunicieu, .ar Tire maintenance q
herself and children during their mi
nority, and through her own d,clinin
years, after youth and strength hav
been exhausted in rearing soldiers an
statesmen. If it is honorable for al.
charged or disabled soldiers, or the
widows, dependent mothers or sister
to receive 8 pension, it is equally hor
orable for mothers Of growing soldie
to receive it also. Such law wou
take the present premium away fro
celibacy and place it upon marriag
where it properly belongs.