New-York tribune., 1900-05-18
A SOCIAL INCIDENT.

The mild social sensation caused by q sud
den and imperative change in the arrangements
for marriage ceremony on "Wednesday VIII
soon subside but the incident is suggestive of
certain reflections which it is agreeable to
cherish While the remarkable audacity which
the bridegroom manifested in explicitly declar-
ing over his signature in written communica-
ton to the rector of the Church Of the Heavenly
Rest that his prospective wife was "a widow,
not divorced" can scarcely be deemed praise
worthy even by those who attribute it to
chivalrous motive, it does, nevertheless, imply a
wish on his part to avoid a sort Of notoriety
which others similarly situated have apparently
been eager 10 cultivate in recent years. With
out regret for the temporary misfortune of an
anxious deceiver, who was so inconveniently
detected or reproach for the not unnatural
mrth which the embarrassing consequences
produced, we are therefore, glad to recognize
evidences of sensitivenesS in his conduct and
to welcome them as the possible sign Of reac-
ton from that indulgent state Of sentiment in
respect TO marital relations which has latterly
been too prevalent in some circles here and else
where.
There was time when good society looked
upon even the innocent and absolutely blame
less party TO a divorce with a certain pity, no
doubt but with certain sense also that a
calamity so grave instead of being nonchalant-
ly accepted and proclaimed, should be
spoken of with bated breath, if not almost con-
cealed This feeling found authorita-
tive expression in that standard of social
acceptability which the Queen of England
designed TO set in the most conspicuous
manner, by refusing to receive at Court
any divorced woman. however blameess
and admirable 1t would be almost impertinent
tO say that are many divorced women
serving of complete respect, sympathy and ap-
proval, but the wellbeing of the community
does not require that they should be wholly re-
lieyed from a penalty which ii their mis-
fortune to incur. In earlier days divorce was
stigma If the social and moral sense that
made it such was too rigorous it was assuredly
great virtue as compared with that easy toler-
ance of notorious delinquencies which has been
unblushingly solicited and too frequently be-
slowed of late, especially in great centres of
wealth and fashion, like London and New-York
We may be rather TOO considerate in accept
ing the particular incident just recorded as in
dicative of revival of respect for the es
sential proprieties of life but, however that may
be, there would certainly be nothing surprising
in the appearance of convincing proofs that
period of superficial laXity and recklessness
drawing to an end The time has probably
passed when it will be thought smart or decent
to deceive or to bribe minister of the Gospel
TO sOlemnize q marriage contrary TO canOnical
requirements or his convictions of right; or
when people thus complicated will not promptly
find ii desirable to cultivate a becoming seclu-
sion. In the race for wealth and plea sure pas
sions stimulated by sensational newspapers and
a licentious stage have been thrust under OBJ
servation TO a deplOrable extent, but there is no
general and deepseated Generalization here
New-York society is sound at heart. and. being
so. is not in the mood to tolerate much longer,
we believe. fragrant exhibitions of Indifference
to decent opinion