San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-11-27

law. since tnaU tlmo at eacn Ses-
sion of the general assembly, with
hardly an exception, some member,
nerved by the hardship OF some
isolated case, has introduced law
providing for a divorce only to
have it overwhelmingly repudlated
by the almost unanimous vote Of
that body.
If, therefore, any matter can be
settled by the evidence, think L
can safely affirm that divorce laws
have ever been and are today
strongly obnoxious TO the over.
whelming sentiment OF the people
OF South Carolina. But Mr.. Presi.
dent, the delegate from Aiken, Mr..
Henderson,, says land says it as il
he expected us to apologize for de-
nying it-that this is "mere senti-
ment." Well, sir, and is sentiment
to be ridiculed or disregarded?
What is sentiment, / beg to in
quire, but the spontaneous pro-
ducts Of those noble impulses and
feelings implanted in our bosoms
by an all-wise Creator for our
guidance in this world and our
ultimate redemption in the next?
Eradicate from the hearts OF the
people all social and moral senti-
ment and leave them to the direc-
ton of cold and calculating in
tellect, swayed by the promptings
Of selfish and sinful natures, and
this world will spet Oily sink to the
level of the bottom less pit beneath.
So that 1 repeat it, sir, and repeat
1t as being a matter of the utmost
Importance in this discussion, that
the sentiment Of the people of
South Carolina is strong and fixed
against divorce.
1 would not be understood, how
ever, as urging that this is con-
elusive of the matter. There are
times-and in such case / myself
should not hesitate to act, when it
is the duty of one who sits in a
representative capacity to vote
contrary to what he believes to be
the wishes of his constituents. But
the case must be clear; his convic-
ton must be strong-nay, must be
absolute-before he can justify
such a step. Therefore / assert
that the burden Of proof lies heavy
and strong upon those gentlemen
who here seek to overthrow or al
ter the ancient or established in
situations of our state. 1t must
not be a matter of experiment;
their proof must be beyond a
shadow of doubt their argument
must bring absolute conviction.
Again, Mr.. President, experience
is a great teacher. What does our
experience in South Carolina, and
what does our observation of con-
ditions in other states teach us?
Can the distinguished gentlem an
from Aiken point us to a state
| where the marital relations are
more sacredly observed, and the
Institution more jealousy guarded
not by the law, L refer to the
people-than in South Carolina?
Is 1t Georgia, or North Carolina, or
New York, or South Dakota, or,
God save the mark, Oklahoma?
Does he wish to see "divorce trains"
as they are playfully termed,
running into South Carolina,
crow ed with men and women who
nave concluded tn at they prefer
some other matrimonial pasture,
and desire the "lease for a term"
that they have entered into an
nulledw Is this the state of affairs
that he wishes to establish in
South Carolina? Or, since the
enactment of such law would re.
quire our courts to recognize the
divorces granted in other states,
does he wish to see citizen of this
state leave for Oklahoma, and af-
ter having established a ninety
days residence" and obtained a
divorce from the wife here, smil-
ingly return with his new wife,
ready for a new trial at matri-
mony.
But, Mr.. President, / am re-
minded by the gentleman that he
proposes to grant divorces for adul-
terry alone. And so he does. But
he had scarcely taken his seat
when the eloquent young gentle.
man from Charleston (Mr. Farrow)
comes up serenely with PROPOSE
tion that cruelty, desertion and
what not are also grounds. "Ob-
stat principles" is mighty safe
motto. Who will undertake to
say where the thing will stop?
Every argument used by the gen.
tleman from Aiken, except the
; Biblical argument, which shall
, presently show amounts to moth
: ing, applies with equal force to di.
. Nnrcaa for OF her cansaa