Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-07
A Few Thoughts on Domestic Kela-
lions.
RIcr,oyD October 2, 1883.

10 me IttiOT ~ mn l'Nit''"s
Recently we have seen articles in the
newspapers under the captions respec-
lively: "Why Women Don't Marry,
"Why Men Don't Marry and now
comes another. els Marriage q
Failure p These, though silly in
themselves, develop the fact that there
are good many young people with
warped views OF the marriage relation.
Indications Of the same kind are TO be
found in the records Of dcsertion ard
divorce cases ia the courts OF the
country. 1t is true that only n small
proportion OF the people are represented
hy the actors in such suits, or by
the writers to the newspapers on the
subject Of marriage, but they represent
the earlier fruits Of q change that has
been going on IN domestic relations for
wears lime was when the chlvalrous
lover was little else than "A slave 20 the
mistress Of his heart time was also when
tho wife WAS the slave of Ter husband.
Both have advanced toward h plane of
equality. Men and women IL their re-
lations to cach other have crown lCss
ffIldIs llUIt NALfiAi iAtfs it' AktA'A tHN
tempts to rule the other save by kind
ness. The law has elevated women 20
as TO give them larger measure of IN
dependence. notwithstanding their con
tracts Of marriage, than they heretofore
possessed I'm tie vast majority OF
cases this independence AMI elnali-
ty worked only Tor good. 10 those
inspired ny love, which "a unselt-
ism the changed relation wrought 10y law
and custom has been ana advantage
because forsooth they have elevated tic
wife without degrading the husband.
But the change, notwithstanding the
benefits it has wrought for the great ua-
.oritv. has developed evils of new
kind that are shown IN dcscr.lOn and ol-
vorce courts and in many OF the letters
that have been written Ivy dissatisfied
people on the subject # marriage.
There are selfish men and women inca
pable of being inspired with true love,
who. when they enter the marriage re-
latlon, are also incapable Of surrender
ing their own tastes or VACCINATIONS or
accom- modatiug themselves b. the wishes
of those with whom they have yOotd
thems. Ives for llfe. 7 hey do not appre-
ciate the obligations they have AS
sumed nor respect tho contracts
they have made. Their sclilshDess
makes them incapable OF sustaining the
marriage relation, and sooner or later
they drift into court as defendants IN dl-
vorce or desertion proceedings or "A
similar class are those who look upon
marriage as purely
BUSINESS AFFAIR
and who are not willing 10 enter it IN
less they can better their condition.
The urls complain that the young men
do not earn enough WAGES o. support
their wives in comfort the Young men
that thu girls have not been brought up
to be- gooI housewives they mus, either
be cooks OF furnish the articles 10 be
cooked, &c, dc. When they write 10
the papers they usually add that If they
could lind person answering their re-
Ouirenee's IN the matter OF income or
household accomplishments they would
he glad 10 marry. They seem to
have no conception that there IS
such thing rs love to he con
sidered in marital affairs. Prudence
may be- very properly exercised but not
the prudence that measures the degree
of comfort 90 be derived from the income
OF either or the skill of the wifi. lne
spirit With which marriage should bee APP
preached is that expressed IN the VOW -
=. For better or worse The Good Book
commends mariia-c to all. and. IF guided
by love aud not by sorlld or se fish con-
siicratous, marriage viii be 20 succ' 80
that will neither be impaired nor en-
daugcred. 80 see 50 many beautiful
unmarried women and handsome men,
single and alone. upon our streets, that
We wonder why it is 20. 1t Is al wrong.
Adam evidently was not happy man ~
his estate OF single CuaseGness and the
Divine Being, ever anxious Tor the vel
fare Of his creatures, saw that It was not
GOOD for him b. he alone. and hence
rave him what every full grown man
needs some one 20 talk ~, TO argue With,
II love and cherish, and, ii things don't
60 right generally. to lay the biaueupon.
Those seeking hciresses should ccutem-
plato tie poverty OF Adam when ne
took Evo for better or worse only
think Of IT. Ho hadn't n Lat 70
his head, coat TO his back, a pair
Of shoes to lis feet, nor mary a + d
cent" in his trousers pocket Two
brought no dowry she had nothing to
bestow save her love and Affection
equally poor with her husband. she
came 10 him without a bonnet or shawl,
calico gown, or even a pair of slippers
Moses in his "reminiscences forgot to give
us any account of their Wedding trip,
but from what we can gather in regard
10 the var,lrobes Of that day their bag
gage would have proved no incunbe-
rance. DOUBTLESS their whole outfit Of
trayelliDg-dresses. waterproofs, busters.
lunch. baskets, and all he could have car
RED in the pockets OF his trousers.
Thev must have started house