San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-09-09
The Marrying Rusiness.

900 young men of manageable age IN
the UnlIed States who obstinately
neglect TO provide themselves with
wives, and this implies the existance
of at least an equal number of young
women of manageable age who are
waiting for proposals that " come.
The fact is important az indicating
one of the social tendencies of the
period. 1t q not be doubted
that the popularity of marrimony
has materially declined in re-
cent years, and that q kind of general
hesitancy seems TO prevail respecting
the negotiation OF such alliances.
There was q time when tho young
people of the country fastened TO pair
themselves with bird-like eagerness
and delight as soon as they were out
of school; and society not only en-
couraged them, but practically com-
manded them to take that course.
They were considered supeIfiuous
aud burdensome until they got mar
ried. The rue work of lite could not
negin with them, they were taught,
so long as they remained single;
IL was their duty TO become yoked
without unnecessary delay, and it
"os q ~ loCC W DhIcb lCaSOlldulc
opportunities in that relation. BUTT
Is decidedly different at the present
day. The practice of wedlock is no
longer imperative, nor does discredit
attend the minated state, ever when
prolonged into the thirties. There is
as much advice given against mar
riage as in favor of IL by the wise and
experienced of both sexes, and the
result is q steady decrease in the pro.
portion of actual weddings to possible
ones.
The causes which have produced
this marked change are not sufficient
ly definite for satisfactory analysis.
1t is probably true that our extrava-
giant style of living, al compared
with that of former times, is M of
the effective influences. The cost of
supporting q wife and raising q
family is much larger than 1t used to
be, aud this feature OF the matter
often gives pause on both sides.
We have come to measure SO many
other things by money that mstri-
mony has not escaped the rule, The
young people are disinclined to start
in an humble way and gradually inn
prove there situation; they want all
that their parents have without wait
ing and striving for it. Many propo-
sails are unquestionably delayed or
rejected on this account. Then IL Is
we'll known that the new of
employment open to women have
made them more independent, and
probably also more exscting as to the
qualifications OF husbands. 1t is not
nearly SO common as it once was
for girls to marry simply in order TO
u a home and a living; they are
able now to earn good wages and to
take their time about assuming the
duties of wives and mothers. We
may safely believe, moreover, that
the progress of women in education
and in social power has led them to
look less favorably upon the apnu-
bial condition by subordinstiDg their
hearts to their heads, so to speak.
And finally it a not but be that
the abundance of criticism to which
the marriage system been sub.
jected by writer's of pronounced vigor
and skill has served to weaken it In
the popular estimation, and to dis.
parage the quality of sacredness that
is it's highest claim to respect and
honor.
There lie no reason as yet, however,
to lement the prevailing tendency ae
q national misfortune. The amount
of marrying is still large enough for
all ordinary purposes; and it may be
that less rather than more of it would
best promote the interests of society
Such unions should be formed with
some other object than shot Of merely |
propaging the species. They involve
the most serious obligations and re-
spoDsiDilities OF human life, and il
people are learning to be slow aDd1
careful about making contracts of so
much importance 1t is hard
'ly q sign of decay or q threat of Gala
nifty. Whenever any two persons
care so much for each other that they
can not happily live apart, they will
be welded, In spite of all opposing
influences; and pei haps those are the
only circumstances under which q
wedding ought ever to take place.
1t would not do to say with Hamlet
that" we will have no more marTl-
ages" and that all who are now
single ''shall keep as they are;"
but we are justified in thinking that
the ratio of matrimonial happiness is
likely 10 be increased according to
the of marriages that are
brought about by reflective instead
of emotional The system
with which the critics find SO much
fault is not perfect. but it is much
better than they represent it
to be, or it would not have
survived 80 long. With all their
f1sw-picking, they have not been
able TO devise an acceptable su bstitute
Tor 1t; and until they are able to do so
it will continue to stand ss the most
beneficent of those great agencies
which regulate and control the affairs