The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-26
LEGAL MARRIAGE,

Ten wears ago Leo Miller and Martha Strick-
land scandalzed society at ST. Johns, Mich,
by mutually marrying" without observing
the laws governing such alliances. They sim
ply agreed to live together, in defiance of law.
The only reason given for this singular action
was that Miller was already married man,
who had parted from his wife, but was unable
to secure divorce. AS might have been ex
pected the alliance between Miller and Miss
Strickland failed to prove satisfactory, though
they lived together for several years in appar-
ent happiness Miller now writes card to
the public, reciting the facts as above, and
concluding as follows
"Years of reflection and experience have
brought with them the conviction that the
step we took was ill-advised and wrong; that
it would have been wiser and nobler to have
sacrificed our own personal happiness, and
what we deemed to be our natural rights, than
to have made this revolutionary assault upon
the marriage institution. Marriage is of di-
vine origin, an outgrowth of the higher moral
sentiments. not of the lower propensities.
The whole tendency of civilization,
marked especially by the sentiments, aspira-
tons and longings Of the noblest and purest
specimens of the race. point conclu-
sively to the fact that monogamy-
the union for life of one man and
one woman--constitutes the only true
marriage ordained by nature and by natures
God for noble, rational beings and it is un-
deniably the right and duty of the earthly
legislator to transcrbe this higher marriage
law to his statute books and enjoin its OBJ
servance. Just and discriminating provisions
should be made to release parties from the
marriage bonds where, from any cause, they
defeat the ends of marriage and work evil
rather than good, misery rather than happi-
ness; but to strike down all law would lead to
universal social anarchy.
''These facts and considerations have be-
| come more and more deeply impressed upon
the mind, compelling at last frank confess
sion that the marital alliance contracted be-
tween Miss Strickland and myself in disre-
gard of custom and law, was grave mistake
through which we have unwittingly done
society an injury. Honor and duty alike re-
quire that the only reparation now possible in
the case should be made, viz: public renun-
citation of the self-instituted marriage 1t is
done. The union, civil and conjugal, formed
by myself and Martha Strickland on the I'd
day of November, 1875, is, by mutual consent
dissolved"
The argument is good, but would have come
with better grace, and would have saved dis
grace to both parties to the marriage had
it been potent before the scandal was commit
ted. The marriage relation is sacred and Sc
cure because of the solidity of civilized soci-
ETY., and society is possible only through a
conscientious enforcement of law Even
George III. Lewes and George Eliot found they
were under the strength Of this law
written in human nature. The law of
the commonwealth under which these
two Michigan people enjoyed the pro-
lection and benefits of civilization exrlic-
lily forbade such an extralegal agreement,
and both should have been arrested and i'm
prisoned. The insufficient apology offered by
them would afford a convenient cloak for the
licentious, and the very foundations of home
would be destroyed 1t ought to be said in
this connection that Millers conversion bears
the marks of hypocrisy. 1t is related of him
that during the past few years he has become
so dissinated that his "wifev could not live
with him, so that his fine words are but a