The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-18
Divorces.
Total ........122,1 21 Total t..

Total ........122 121 Total ....... .2O6. sos
From this table It will be seen that there
was total of SIS, 716 divorces in the United
states in the twenty years 1s67-1SS6. Of
these there were 122,121 in the first half
OF the period and 2O6.595 in the last half.
Ihat is to say, the divorces in the latter
half were 50 per cent more than those in
the hrst half. The population between 1870
and 1880 increased only 80 per cent. The
divorces in 1870 were Il. 692 and In 1880 they
were 1858, and as the table shows. they
are in 1886 more than two and one-half
times what they were in 1867.
1 have not at hand the figures for the
last decade, but there is no reason TO be-
heve that they show any decrease in the
awful industry of the divorce courts.
From the figures I have quoted It is
painfully manifest that the cancer of
divorce is rapidly spreading over the com
munity and poisoning the fountains of the
nation. Unless the evil is checked by some
speedy and heroic remedy, the very exist
ence of family life is imperiled. How can
we call ourselves Christian people if we
violate fundamental law of Christianity?
And If the sanctity and indssolubiity of
marriage does not constitute a cardinal
principle of the Christian religion. I am
at loss to know what does
Let the Imagination picture to itself the
fearful wrecks daily caused by this rock of
scandal and the number of families that
are cast adrift on the ocean of life. Great
stress is justly laid by moralists on the
observance Of the Sunday. But what
mockery is the external repose of the
Christian Sabbath to homes from which
domestic peace is ban!shed by intestine
war, where the mothers heart is broken.
the fathers spirit crushed. and where the
children cannot cling to one of their par
ents without exciting the Jealousy or ha-
tired of the other.
And these melancholy scenes are fol-
lowed 10y the final act in the drama when
the family ties are dissolved, and hearts
that had vowed eternal love and union are
separated to meet no more
This social plague calls for a radical
cure; and the remedy can be found only
in abolition of our mischievous legislation
regarding divorce and in an honest appH-
cation Of the teachings of the gospel. If
persons contemplating marriage were per-
suaded that onca united they were legally
debarred from entering into second we'd
lock they would be more circumspect be
fore marriage in the choice Of a life part
ner, and would be more patient afterward
in bearing the yoke and in tolerating each
others inf1rmities.
JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS.
London. May 17.-Dr. Joseph Parker. the
great dissenting preacher who remorse-
lessly lashes the vices of the rich and
great in MS pulpit in the City Temple ex-
pressed deep sorrow TO The World CORE
spondent today. apropos Of Mrs. sloane's
divorce and her re-marriage TO Perry Be-
mont.
Il consider that particular case an af-
front to civilization" said DR. Parker with
emphasis. Marriage IS on It's trial, and
that is a shocking example OF the direction
to which society rs drifting. It no better
here than in America. thought believe the
differing divorce IA KS IN different states
is with you an additional degradation TO
the sacred institution. But our divorce
laws want reform. too. a womsH should
be able. Ike a man, 70 get divorce for in
fidelity alone. Probably infdel!ty on either
side is no greater in the States than here.
but Il IS much more difficult 20 obtain
divorce here than IN America. That. IN
some RESPECTS, IS 20 our good
America should set the example 70 Eng
lard BY adopting 2 uniform law giving
only for infde,ity and prohibiting the re-
marriage Of the guilty partner" continued
the great dlssentar This awful Iaxity
IS due 20 the religious side % ire mar
rage being lost sight o. Marriage has
now BECOME a matter of convenience. and
It's religious assoc Ions are o5Hterated-
Society Is spelling rs 9wn run b. de-
bastng this holy rite
"At Intervals people II he mass r.ss
against some restraining influence. Marx
M words. the next Institution this instinct !
OF unrest wlIl place OF - trial zlII -
marriage. z bezo5ves every good citizen
70 be rs champion
a. present the West End Of Ioaaon Z
worse than S55om and Gomo-rah.
s.Ia some fashionable circles free love il
said 20 D. fsuntlazly 7-ae,iced. ard bgt 4
sor me rel g.ogs element = e3-ety We
n gHt 6esoa.- of TIE future
queen Victoria ls the osEt sewers 81 .
TIA. ever governed a nation Ffer re
+ model 70 re world kn7E a 7-an7-
gueut author who recently sent a copy % .
MS latest 11rx % tas quesa- Her Majesty
returned &; Because ~ hss been disorces
and married again
"Eur.an5 wvuld rot tolerate rsF- -
different sEaHa7- r ? isazs-'4z7ng prince
xsre . ascea5 tas ;s-aze and rev@fse gre
trzTtsous - re csur- a-s tenure wsv1
20. - v7rth tae.rs na-ths Tsrehses-
The Prizct = sTases nas ~ Elds
erserserse sad great cssrressaz He 81
follow ire qs@~rz axs1qse 'sn1 keep ize
throne free froa a. svsl zssoc.ass21H
IS rss@rz . ~ c-st-al SS.=t~ O--