The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-12-03
PlUnk0tt' SL0tf0r

IL is now December and not single
wedding has taken place.
But / can count half dozen of part
ings and assertions in Il radius of ten
miles within the past three months.
Such a state of affairs should need no
comment to put people 10 thinking and
10 inspire the wise to seek out the cause
and amply a remedy.
God knows the custom of divorce, sane
toned by law, is bad enough, but II
strikes me as not being so bad rs the loss
of those feelings which have brought
about the marriage relation in years of
the past. Legislation could correct the
matter of enforcement but legislation
cannot create love nor force that sense
of duty which clothes matrimony in q
garb of purity and sanctity.
1t is time for us all to be honest with
each other Seek out the cause and
speak the truth upon this matter. The
divorce practice is only the effect OF a
cause. Back of that is canker worm
which has chilled those affections upon
which the marriage relation was builded.
or else II has created a doubt as to the
purity of the sexes that did not used to
exist Speaking as a man. | would say
that any custom in the social life of
people which gives even an opportunity
for "a shadow of doubt as TO the absolute
purity of our womanhoOd is n breeder of
divorce and an the other troubles 81
latter day married life. a woman as
chaste as the angels in heaven might
fall under the shadow OF suspicion from
some Of our social customs. and that sus-
picion once kindled may row from the
tniest spark To "A consuming flame that
either prevents her marriage at all or
leads to divorce if she does marry. As
for me / think the multiplying Of di-
yorcement il only the effect of a cause.
Now who would be brave enough to
arise in his place and point out some of
the customs which give roo mi1r these
doubts. poisons the minds of mon with
the blight of suspicion and is swiftly
taking us to that stage where marriage
is a thing OF the past. whore love is
myth. and where decay has us in its
grin | am free to admit that | would
not dare tell just what | think. | could
meution the miugling of this club, that
club and the other club. I could score
this society, that society ana the other
society. but
The preacher ana the adjuncts-i would
handle them lightly. cautiously. dishou-
estly.
Having given notice that ! would not
pretend to say just what ] think about
preachers. mind ypu-yet ] feel that !
could mention some minor matters some
very respectable matters, which tend TO
Keep the young people of today from
marrying as they used 10 marry.
The ,rend of the times is TO run hun
dred thousand dollar schedule ON Hiiy-
cent capacity. If You viii show me
man who is striving 90 rum his AFFAIRS on
a plane equal with his capacity poor
ma Inn,
is either considered % Vasahond or a tF-
rant in his family. / am a sticiler for
the church. but do know that the 'fash-
ions" cultivated right ian church com
mingling are such that strain poor men
till they sometimes wish there was no
church have never come to- this. All
nv hope IS anchored ON church purille1
and a return TO the old daddies and mann
mics | believe we will have IL speedily
If our Protestant religion does not give
us this. then our Protestant religion Is q
failure and men will join the syhaboEue9
If tho jews win let us
can say one thing i'm an confidence
and 7 say IL in tine hope Of doing good;
The men Of this country are going To run
This country Now let the weasly pfeach-
er- who form their women ana children
into societies and clubs ana all kinds or
help profit by this hint. J will repeat
in that they may catch my thought. nc
men of this country will run il or ruin IT.
mind that
but. with an this brave talk must
.1r,it that the oil man is not i'm n, anu
ripbtf,lllv SO. I think our fathers turn
81 ovcr 70 MS a civilization and govern
meut that has never been surpassed. our
government is strong = plenty now OF
else Mr.. Mckinley can soon make II
strong: but the most sacred things hand
cd over 10 us we have allowed 70 decay.
The saoredness Of marriage daS, the de-
votiun to the home. the Importance OF the
rareuts and the reverence of children.
these we have let slip away till they are
present in only small degree in proper
ton 10 what Yves handed down 10 our
trust.
After saving this much. it is NOS neees-
ear,, for mo 10 say that I think the old
man should step aside and let q new set
take charge. I used 40 side with ola
folks. and honestly thought they We're
being relocated wrongfully, but ! have
studied the question and pronounce ~
right AMI proper-it IS the effect of "a
cause. just as the incre tse of divorce rs
the effect of a cause.
The old men Of today had turned over
to them D social condition that was sim
rly superb. In thirty years We find our
$. Ives upou the very brink of social rain
We failed. The hope now is in Younger
generation to work out for themselves
salvation Of their own. We had turned
over TO us the women IN all their woman
i.hrcss. a church that claimed our rever-
encc. preacher without stain. home
that was Il castle no matter how humble
and never an ism 40 enter there. IL is all
gone Today even tLe Judges from the
benches are sounding the alarm. ana !
sav il with reverence ana honesty. that
if we had an held to the ethics ana 70
puritv in proportion with our judiciary
we would have no cause TO howl today.
Let the old man plss-ring IN the new,
for il is almost Christmas and not Il
wedding yet.
And Thanksgiving came without
turkey or Il goose. But We Will have
one Christmas. and somehow. We feel
that there will be some weddings soon.
If not then why not
SARGE PLUM X EFT.