New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-19
Dissolution IL MARRYING.
,o,s cI,he-Democrat.

From The st. Louis Globe Democrat.
:, cannot he doubted that the popularity " ma'r,
,onv has materially declined In recent years, ana
that hind OF general hesitancy seems 10 pre'Ti ave.
spectng the negonnt,on no, U neope Of the country
hestencd to pair themselves with Diroiihe ,gPre1
s sa not only encouraged them, but Pae uc;ly
commanded them TO take thkt course. my W.
considered superiuous ana putoenoUe n 'i hin with
them they were taught 50 long as ihGy re Miabn
single their duty to become yo1e 30 miss rea
sonable opportunities IN that relation Bg 1t Is ds
cdedy different at the ppc,et d NOR don der
Sttend the minated state, even when prolonged into
the trie, There is as much ADVICE csn qsSs
Of both sexes. and the result Is a steady de'rca'e
in the proportion Of actual weddings to
The causes which have produced this marked ciahge
are not sufficiently definite for satisfactory analysis
II is probably true that our extsvasana s'y,s al
Z" one OF the elective Influences. The cost
Of supporting wife and raising ,bis 'f are Of I the
natter often gives pause both sides. We have
come to measure many other things by money lhat
nnopls are disinclined start in an humble way ana
gradually improve their situation lhey wit an ' tr
II MANY proposals nre unque, tionabiy delay ed or
rejected this account. Then 1t Is wei hnowh Ina.
made them more Independent and probably also more
exacting to the qualifications OF ns"snd' rl rs
marry simply In order secure home and living
they are able now to eain good wages ana 10 tan S
tbcir about assuming lHe uuur9 vi
mothers We may safely believe, moreover that the
progress Of women In education and III social power
has led them 10 look less favOrably upon the con
nubia condition by subordlnang their hearts TO their
heads so 10 speak And finally II cannot but be mat
The abundance Of criticism TO which the marriage
svsi> m has been subjected by writer's OF pronounced
vioor md skill has served 10 weaken IL In the pop
lar estimation and dsparage the quality o. sacred
ncss that IS It's highest claim TO respect ana honor
There Is no reason yet however, TO lament the
prevaing tendency National misfortune. Inc
amount OF marrying Is st large enough FOR all ordi
mar purposes and II may be that less rather than
mare OF II would best promote the interests OF
socjety Such unions should be formed with some
other object than that Of merely propantng tho
species They involve the most serious obligations
and responsibilities OF human life. and II people
ara learning TO slow and careful about making con.
tracts OF so much importance 1t Is hardly sign OF
decay or threat OF calamity. Whenever any two
happily 1--we apart they will be Welded, In spite OF
ali epposng influences. and perhaps those are the
oplv circumstances under when wedding ought ever
10 take place II would not do TO say with Hamlet
that we win have no more marriages.. ana that all
Who are now single shall keep rs they are but We
are justified in thinking that the ratio of matrimonial
happiness IS likely be increased according TO the
mTas,re Of marriages that are brought about by re-
aecve instead Of emotional means. The system Win
which the critics find much fault Is not perfect.
Int Il Is much better than they represent 10 10 be- or
"A would not have survived so long. With all their
flaw picking they have not been able to devise an
acceptable substitute for IL and until they are able 70
do so will continue to stand as the most benecent
Of those great agencies which regulate and control the
affairs Of civilization.