Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-26

From the New York Sun.
1t Ii very remarkable that the discussion in Eng.
land over Mrs Mona Cards article on marriage
continues with undated energy, for that article
was nothing less than an argument and plea FOL
free love- Though the text OF the controversy Is
more especially her assertion that marriage is o
vexatous failure" IL is impossible to avoid consid
Grafton OF her natfo0ted advocacy OF the freeloye
doctrine OF the obvious right OF the woman to
possess herself body and SOUL and to give herself
body and soul exactly as she Will.
That such proposition should be seriously dis
cussed by men and women OF cultivation and high
respectaollity Is very startling. Yet for weeks
past the London Telegraph has Contained daily
columns OF letters from such writers on the sub
editor did not put stop to it peremptorily. There
seems to be greater and more general Interest In
1t than In any other social question to which he
pubic attention has been drawn for many years,
The correspondence shows very plainly that the
change which Is taking place in the relations OF
women TO society is to some extent affecting their
views Win regard TO marriage. In modern times
women have been steadily increasing In independ-
ence, and they have become the associates and
upon as essentially unfemlnine There is depart
ment OF labor, except that requiring rude muscu-
lar strength, from which they are excluded They
are taking care OF themselves without help from
men, and therefore they feel less the need OF the
projection OF marriage. That changed sentiment
expresses EXPIRE o. Itself IN frequent rebellion among
dination OF the wife as commanded In
the marriage service. They want to come Into
maCrlm0ny as equal partners OF the men with
Whom tney are competing IN the business Of life.
Their acquired sense OF freedom outside of mar
rage seems 10 make some OF them not 1nhOSpi-
taole even TO The free-love theory Of Mrs. Card,
VINO Is herself described as "very charming
young lady," whose experience Of matrimony has
been far flom unhappy She merely argues for
Tree marriage as a logical consequence OF the
emancipation OF women from the restraints Of
centuries. Undoubtedly she does not wish TO ex-
ercise IT herself. but she claims it the right OF
her sex.
Yet, after all, under our present marriage sys-
TEN, as practiced here and in England, 1t is the
woman who has the say. The marriage depends
Tree CONSENT makes her own choice OF q husband,
and practically Is the head OF the household alter
she Is married. The man asks. and she yields or
refuses as she Is minded. What further freedom,
then, does she require? She certainly cannot wish
to have the continuance OF the marriage relation
depend on mere whim and caprice, and 10 discard
works both ways. II the Wife Is TO have freedom
the husband must have 1t also, and she has no Sc
CURLY Tor the care and maintenance OF her Chill.
dren.
But we shall not undertake to 60 into the SUBJ
yect either 10 combat or sustain Mrs. Card We
only call attention to the discussion as 1t is taking
place In England as very remarkable manifesto.
ton OF contemporary sentiment regarding d Ques-
tlon which Christian society has long been accuS.
toned to regard as settled finally. 1t seems that
10 very many minds Of this day 1t Is by no means
settled.
This very surprising discussion shows that there
IS widespread skepticism as to the advantages and
deSlrablilty OF marriage as q practical relation
The feeilng Is described by physician as being SC
general that he expects seven in the near future,
10 SEE "a considerable diminutiOn in the number
OF marriages." as result Of the changes In the re-
latlOnS OF women TO society, OF which We have al
ready spoken. He also lays down as ga positive
truth" the proposition that "before marriage, at
all events the love Is all on the side OF the gentle
man." though he grants that ''after mar
Rage 1t Is highly probable that a wife begins 10
love- and, In many instances fervently, but not till
AFTER" Women, then, according to this argument,
are not driven into marriage by an lmperiOuS SEN
tlment which Will make Them sacrifice the 1nde-
conditions