New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-18
cent of the crimes against chastity. Divorces, II wen

cent of the crimes against chastity Divorces, II Is wen
known are comparatively rare among Catholics.
The number Of children in proportion to the population
IN large portions OF England is not over three
tourtbs what 1t forty years ago. member OF the
snecal committee OF the Michigan Board OF Health est-
mates the number Of women United States who die
from the immediate effects Of criminal abortion 10 Dc
NOT lees than 5000 per may add that evidence
accumulaes proving that in some sections OF country
there's an of immoral relations between mo
exes that appears side by side with the increase OF d.
varces II would be hasty !" aSse as proven any gen
oval and close casual relation between the two evils
only call attention TO their parailes, as IA the apie
o,xen above and as showing how hasty and probably
ronU those are who think that because the rate OF
s thnS ronHtres "a far higher than here our Lax sys
fem of is not much of evil or that u enuS 10
aba the social evil Probably race, economic con
dO'A and historical causes generally nav a. hucl ~
do with lie ftnacy and perhaps kindred evils as reng
ian Permit me 10 add three remarks. $50
l. The family is the real question before us. INC
true significance of the evils Of divorces appears Whe
wa roae 10 understand that II IA always family actn
ally or potentially at least that we meet III
is not merely what IL to be done with two unoiunate
indiyiduas but how shall deal with this family 70
which they belong and i'll whose maintenance tne otaIe
social ev ant crime against the state. From It's very
DnI"fe y n" yir of two and If lie two sexes IL
needs especay be treated from the point of the fam
iy And 50 with the other evils under consideration;
enc l. ot work mere and abroad Many other facts of
similar import exist. Some Protestant countries IN
anrarentlv improving in the matter OF leg1ti-
c ynila American States are growing Europe,
viii bad condition "a to chastity. probably could not
trust her population with our lax divorce Jaws anu
coscr court practice hwlterI9nd, II mn CoiIoT Tbe
informed has begun a hazardous experiment; ! me
United states with their generally hctler moral cohu-
tns OF The physical basis OF the family have 50 lar DeeA
able to endure relaxation Of the bond. 1t is hlgh ne
however to see II we do not noed to reverse down
ward steps The family of to-day nay be better IMAM
the family OF half century ago, hut that Is not he point
family of to-day and of the future In country 20
he eou9l 10 the work peculiar institutions ana prop
lem, ill demand of 1t This question OF the Ianny les
ri the root OF the problem Of poygamy in the territories
are lust beginning too by our method OF lana u sew
eralty-gathering the Indians III separate hOnes-tO
apply il to the Indian question II is vital to the so.
luton OF the Southern question. The old system or
slavery denied the slaves the right to property and mar
rage Consequently disregard of property ana woman
are the vices of the blacks to-day. And so there as
everywhere ese must rise from barharlsi by tc
development of the two fundamental institutions or
property and marriage The home may lie quite as near
the heart the Southern problem the school house.
s. May not be In danger or forgetting thht mar
riace or rather the family. Is first ana fundamentally
a natural institution one cannot but De Struck at
is TO discuss marriage the tacit open assumption
that j. either purely contract or rs purely religious
Institution II IS of'en spoken OF ms contract social
institution a religions Institution ana sacrament III
NAV De one and all of these. But If eO is because u is
frat Of all natural institution And as SUCH rs well as
for other reasons, II appeals to the citizen and to the
Now the American political mind looks If anywhere.
to natural and 10 natural rights. Let H. then, study
the family this point Of view for time. IL may
lind that though 10 have small regard Tor the dec
laraOns OF Bible, It's very reverence FOR natural
law win lead clearer views and deeper convictions In
regard 70 whole subject OF divorce and the family
cOlst ttution and place in American political system
which from very nature must give the most exact
place and full play 70 all natural institutions If this be
So and the evils that bcse IL such they appear TO
be, then it is time began fresh study o. the subject
SAMUEL W. DIXIE.
Rovalfon, w., April ls. 1889.