The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-28
TWO REMEDIES ron THE DIVORCE


In an article in Sundays New York
World ex-senator Edmunds discussed the
divorce evil, and presented what seemed
to him to be the best remedy for it. On
the same day from his pulpit, in Newport,
r. l., Rev. Bradin Hamilton, an Episcopa-
Ian clergyman, who has a standing in
Newport society, also presented remedy
for the evil.
Mr.. Edmunds said that he had no doubt
that Congress has the constitutional right
to enact a divorce law for all of the states
"a law that all Of the states would have
TO comply Without he expressed thh opin-
ion that such law wouldn't be very ben
efciaI in the direction Of putting an end
TO divorce evils, because of the dificultN
of framing a law that would be satisfac'
tory to all classes of people. There are
wide differences of opinion respecting d.
vorce, and a uniform divorce law might
offend more than it would please, with
the result that immortality would be en-
aged. He said that he believed the
best way to hold the divorce evil in check
was TO educate the children against d.
vorce. If parents would take the matter
in hand they could accomplish more than
the law-making power.
There is no doubt that there is much
force in the position taken by Mr.. Ed
munds. If children were trained to have
a profound respect for the marriage rela-
ton, and TO regard divorce as a great evil,
excuses for divorce would occur less fire.
quently, and there would be more truth,
fidelity and happiness in homes.
The remedy for the divorce evil propos-
ed by the Rev. Mr. Hamilton is a rather
curious one, but to appreciate it fully it
must be understood that he spoke to
congregation composed almost wholly Of
society people. He regards the summer
jewellers al Newport as the leaders of the
social world in this country, and thinks
they have a very great influence on public
opinion. He told his congregation that
Newport has more power to-day to check
the divorce evil than the combined infu-
ence of all the Christian churches from
Maine to the Pacific coast" In other
words, the people care more for the opn-
ion of the leaders of society than they do
for religion. The Rev Mr.. Hamiton's
remedy for the divorce evil is the refusal
of society people to recognize socially
person who has been divorced. In the
course of his address he said: I'VE esk
you, as a favor toward the church, to re-
fuse to recognize divorce in your good so
ciety. We do not like to advise any one
to be cruel, but in this case duty makes
it a necessity. If you have a friend or a
relative who has so erred, simply say to
him or her, I am very sorry but for the
sake of respect of my home, for the sake
of the general effect on the community,
for the sake Of morality and the church.
1 cannot treat you as did before Now,
if you will take such a stand, you viii do
such kindness to the church and such
favor to the community in general that
God in His mercy will not fail to grant
you a reward"
There is no doubt that the remedy pro-
posed by the Rev Mr.. Hamilton would be
quite an effective one. If the two remedies
herein suggested could be gener-
ally and sincerely applied there
would be very great decline
in the divorce evil. Unfortunately
the home training of children is not what
it should be in too many homes and the
eaders of the world of society are more
intent on seeking pleasure than they are
in remedying evils from which the world
suffers.