The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-25
DISCRETION IN MARRYING.
It Has Had Something to Do with the Re
cent Decline In Mstrimony.

1t Has Had Something to Do with the Re
cent Decline In Mstrimony.
st. Louis Globe Democrat
1t cannot be doubted that the popularity
of m~atrlmony has materially declined In
recent years. and that q kind of general
hesitancy seems to prevail respecting the
negotiation of eucb alliances. There was
a time when the young people of the
country FASTENED to pair themselves with
birdlike eagerDess and delight as soon as
they were out OF school. and society not
only encouraged them, but practically
commanded them to a that course.
They were considered superfuous and bur-
densome until they got married. The true
work of life could not begin with them.
they were taught, SO long as they remained
sin gle; it was their duty to become yoked
without unnecessary delay, and IL was q
disgrace to miss reasonable opportunities
in that relation. But It is decidedly differ
emit at the present day. The practice of
wedlock is no longer Imperative,
nor does discredit attend the minated
the thirties. There is as much advice given
against marriage as In favor of it Ivy the
wise and Ok experienced of both sexcs. and tho
result is n steady decrease in the proportion
of actual weddings to possible ones.
The causes which have produced this
marked change are not sufficiently definite
for satisfactory analysis. 1t 10 probably
true that our extrayagant style or living as
compared with that Of former timesis one of
the effective iniuences. The cost of support
ing q wife and raising q family 10 much
larger than it used TO be, and this feature
of the matter often gives pause on both
sides. We have come to measure 30 mapy
other things by money that matrimonyh has
not escaped the rule. The young people
are disiDclined TO start in q humble way
and gradually improve their situations;
they want all hat their parents have with
out waiting ana striving, for IL. Many
rejected on this ccOunt. Then it is iwell
known that the new avenues OF
employment open to women have
made them more independent, and proba-
bly, also more exacting Is to the 0ualifica-
tions of husbands. 1t Is not nearly SO
common as it once was for girls to marry
simply in order to secure a homo and .
living; they are able now to earn good
wages. and to take their time about assum-
ing the duties of wives and mothers.
that the progress of women
in education and in social power
has leo them TO look less favorably upon
the connubial condition by sui ordinating
their hearts to their heads, so to speak.
And finally. it cannot but be that the
abundance of criticism TO which the mar
riage system has been subjected by writ
ers of pronounced vigor and skill has
served to weaken IL in the popular estima-
ton, ind to disparage the quality of
Go1A ehOoo NAekA 10 ~ AAhAAA ~
spect and honor.
There is no reason as yet, however, to
lament the prevailing tendency as q ma
tionai misfortune. The amount of marry
ing is still. large enough for all ordinary
purposes; and it may be that less rather
than more of il would best promote the IN
terests of society. Such unions should be
formed with some other object than that Of
merely propagating the species. They in
volve the most serious obligations ~ re-
sponsibilitics Of human life. and IL people
are learning to he slow and careful about
making contracts OF SO much Importance. it
Is hardly n sign of decay or . threat of
calamity. Whenever any two persons care
30 much for ench other that they cannot
happily live apart. they will be welded. in
spite of all opposina fntiuences; and per-
haps those arc the only circumstances uu-
der which q Wedding ought ever to take
place. Ii would not do to say with Ham
let that I'VE will have no moro marriages. "
and that all who are now sin gle shall keep
as they are;' but We are justified In
thinking that the ratio of matrimonial
happiness Is likely to be increased accord
Ing 10 the measure OF marriages that are
brought about by reflective instead of
emotional means. The system with which
tho critics find 40 much fault Is not per-
feet. but it 10 much better than they repre-
sent IL 20 be, or IL would not lave survived
so long. With all their fiaw-picking. they
have not been nble TO devise an acceptable
substitute for IL. and until they are able ia
do 80 it will continue TO stand IS the most
bencfcent of those great agencies W hich
regulate and control the affairs of c~iviliza-
ton.