Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-03-18
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.
TIMELY. INTERESTING PAPER BY
j. ALEXANDER FULTON.
Marriage Viewed As Civil Contract and
an HOLY ObIigation-scrip'a Grounds
For Divorce Upheld by Societies Needs.
EReet of Improper Divorce.

For years they have been Increasing every
session and win continue to increase as
long as the Legislature listens 20 the
various plants with indulgent and en-
souraeing ears. We believe, however
the highest point in this direction was
rescued at the last session aud that the
lide is nov ebbing
2. To the wealth and social standing of
the parties concerned in two or three
cases lately before the courts in vii.
nington and tho discussion which has
followed, both in and out Of court, since
their determination With these we have
nothing to de-, and Of their merits we
have nothing 10 say. The tribunal es-
tsblished by law has heard the proofs
aud the arguments and rendered its
Judgment. SO far as they are concerned
further controversy, it seems to Us is
useless II not vicious. But on the gem
eral subject. and especially upon the
wisdom aud practical utility Of our pres
emit laws concerning divorce, there is
both room and occasion for intelligent
and earnest discussion. The object Of all
such discussion should be to elicit truth,
to evolve rule and also law Of pro-
eedure. that shall honor morality pro
mote the public welfare, and AZ the
same time infict as little hardship upon
individuals as possible. This should be
he aim OF all and the efforts Of those
who may be called 10 act officially
How Marriage is Regarded.
Marriage is regarded in different lights
when viewed from different staudpoints.
and by persons Of different surroundings
and culture Some view it as a mere
civil contract, a sort of domestic partner
oh IN NJ NJ AL
fence and comfort and TO be dissolved
when tho bands become irksome OF gall
ing
Others regard it as holy state, and
the obligation by which it is entered
sacred and perpetual one.
This difference is radical as 70 the
nature Of the marriage contract, and ont
Of il spring the divergent views that
prevail and confront us on every sides
Those who bold the former view, treat
he matter Of divorce lightly, and con
tend that whenever marriage fails to
secure the comfort and happiness which
was expected, or, at least, where it re-
suits in injury and misery to one of the
parties, wantonly inflicted by the other,
the wronged aud suffering one
should be relieved by the state stepping
in and dissolving the relation, even
against the protestations of the other
party, although it had bean willingly
assumed by both. They say that Il is
harsh and unfair to compel an Innocent
wife, for instance, to live all her life,
with worthless, and, IL may be, brutal
husbands and that both justice aud
humanity demand her release. This
might be true If her interests alone were
/ involved; but we shall presently see that
| there are others TO be considered, both
social and domestic, and quite as i'm
portant to the general good as even her
Individual happiness
Opposed to Divorce.
Hence il is that those who hold to the
latter view, oppose divorces, except for
clearly defined aud fully proved causes
These contend that the more difficult it
is to obtain dissolution of the marriage
the better i is foc society at large. Say
| they, make divorce easy,
aud you invite and encourage
hasiy, inconsi6eIate and unsuitable mar
risges, and foster loose notions OF the
marriage relation. Many will thus enter
/ be marriage state with little thought or
care rs to how it may turn cut, because.
II II does not prove agreeable, they know
It can be dissolved with facility.
But If il is understood beforehand that
the union is to be perpetual, how very
careful will parties be TO weigh The
consequences of the step they are about
to take. Il is Is an epoch in their lives
Il is their one and main chance to insure
happiness or invite misery.
These say further, that the husband
and wife are not the only ones whose in
terests are to be considered. Their limo
which cannot be overlooked. They mus
be saved, as far as possible, not onl,
IRON the evil il fiuenee of bad example
but also from the reproach and humilia
tion of being the offspring Of divorce,
parents
Besides this, society owes It to itself
TO its reputation and the welfare Of III
members to prevent the evils that atten,
the dissolution Of the marriage bon,
from sprea ding and involving others il
the same vortex The evil example o
one naturally leads others astray unit
the whole body polite is affected an
corrupted.
A Divine Obligation.
+ So far we have treated this questio
from tile standpoint Of human reaso
Z ard public policy. But We DO not rest
4 solely on these grounds, although W
I might safely do so. The sacrtdness {
a marriage and the perpetual obligation (
e tine marriage bond rest on & krner four
K dation than public policy or even huma
K Law. holy Scripture and the Church (
Christ teach Us that marriage wss inst
6 tuted by Gcd himself; that it was san
> toned, honored and blessed BY Ii
Z Divine Head, VINO reproved an
condemned those who sought to be T
ieased from their matrimonial obligatiC
and declared that whatsoever shall pI
y away his wife except il be for fornicatio
3 aud shall marry another committed
IL adultery, and whos0ever msrrieth hi
n which is put away doth commit adu
y terry This Is very clear and emphatic.
vas the direct declaration of our Lord
these who prese, ted the exact case +
Hls judgment. To the Christian il shou
De the end Of all controversy and Il
81 rule Of action And so Il has been in
~ Christian churches and In all ages. IL
y so yet That there have been some e.
eeptions and deviations only proves &
VI universally Of the rule and its contin'
ing obligation. According to Scriptu
and the Church Of God there is,one eau;
w aud only one. for which lawful ma
re riage may be lawfully dissolved. This
70 infdelity on the part OF o
OF Of the contracting parties. 1t may tbs
|. be asked, Is there no rel
for the innocent and wronged onef
he first place very few who seek divorc
are entirely innocent IL the maria
" | has hepu entered into from pure nootiv,