Arizona silver belt., 1893-04-15
LOVE AND DISCRETION.
Has the Temper'ng Of the One with ths
 Other Aneeted Matrimony?

Eas the Temper'Bg Of the One with tks
 Other Aneeted Matrimony?
 It cannot be doubted that the popular. ity of matrimony has materially de- clined in recent years and that kiad of general hesitancy seems to prevail re- specting the negotiation of such alli- anees. There was time when the young people of the country hastened to pair themselves with birdlike eagerness and delight as soon us they were out of school, and society not only encouraged them, but practically commanded them to take that course. They were con sidered superhuous and burdensome un- til they got married. The true work of life could not begin with them, they were taught, 30 long as they remained single. It was their duty to become yolSed without unnecessary delay, and it was disgrace to miss reasonable oppor- tunities in that relation. But it is de- cidedly different at the present day. The practice of wedlock is no longer im- perative. nor does diseredit attend the unmated state, even when prolonged in to the thirties. There is as much ad- vice given against marriage as in favor of it by the wise and experienced of both sexes, and the result is steady de- crease in the proportion of actual weddings to possible ones
 The causes which have produced this marked change are not sufficiently def mite for satisfactory analysis. It is probably true that our extrayagant style of living as compared with that of former times is one of tho effective influences. The cost of supporting wife and rais- ing a family is much larger than it used to be, and this feature of the matter often gives pause on both sides We have come 10 measure so many other things by money that matriInony has not escaped the rule The young people are disinclined to start in humble way aud gradually improve their situation, They want all that their parents have without waiting aLd striving for it Many proposals are nnquestionably de. layed or rejected on this account.
 Then it is well known that the new avenues cf employment open to women have made them more independent, and ! probably also more exacliHg as to the qualifications of husbands. 1t is nei nearly so common as it once was fol girls 10 marry simply in order 10 secure a home and living; they are able now to earn good wages and to take iheiI ! time about assuming the duties of wiye, and mothers. We may safely believe moreover. that the progress of wOmel in education and in social power has let 1 them to book less favorably upon thl connubial condition by sGbordiuatinl ! their hearts to their heads so 10 speak And finally 1t cannot but be that thi | abundance of criticism to which th, i marriage system has been subjected b | writers Of pronounced yigor and skill ! has served t1 weaken it in the populal estimation, sad to disparage the quality of RacredRcsg that is its highest claim i, respect and honor.
 There is Eo reason as yet, however, f lament tGs prevailing tendency as ; national misfortune. The amount o marrying is still large enough for al ordinary purposes, and it may be iha less rather than more of 1t would bes promote the interests of society. Sucl unions should be formed with som other object than that of merely propa gating the species. They involve th most serious obligations and responsi bilitics of human life, and if people ar learning to be slow and careful abou making contracts of so much impor tance 1t Is hardly a sign of decay or
 threat of calamity St. Lonis Globe ! Democrat