Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-03-22

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1t would seem that the old prayer for
deiiyerance from sudden DEATH was
no longer answered or even asked in
many eases, for many think that de-
liverancc from life is best attained i'll
that way. Those questions as to how
long one would wish to tarry in 1.-THE
vale of tears" and in what manner one
would wish to so, still occupy mems
thoughts. Some cling to the cherished
belief that those loved Of the gods die
young, while "those whose hearts are
dry as summer dust burn to the sock
ct" It is the burning process that
sometimes seems SO difficult. what
is it to grow old:" asked Matthew Ar
mold. sit is to spend long days and
not once feel that we were ever young"
And Stevenson, who. as Henry James
says, met his end in the happiest form,
"by the straight, swift bolt Of the
gods" dreaded above all things the
slow process Of dissolution. IF l
could only secure violent death, what
4 fine success! l wish to die in my
boots; no more Land of Counterpart
for me-" 1t it were possible i'll this
nervous age to live the quiet, normal
lives that longevity demands, and il
people could die in their old age, as
some still do, like the dcacon's zone
boss shay" then the ripeness of three
score years and ten would be q ICON
summation devoutly to be wished"
otherwise perhaps the straight, swift
bolt is best.
II any newly married couples have
been Mortified by a Chicago revenue
collectors ruling on the matter of reye
nue. stamps they may calm their fiut-
tering hearts. The Tribune asserts it
is q false alarm. The collector says
that all marriages contracted since
July I, 1893, are void unless the mar
riage certificate has on it q ten-cent
revenue stamp. But the collector is in
error. A marriage performed by a
minister or {; justice Of the peace in
the presence Of witnesses is valid even
though it be performed without 4 Ii
cense. The license, stamped or I'M
the ceremony. Even though the license
were rendered invalid by the omission
Of a war stamp, the nuptial knots tied
in such cases would be no less binding.
But there is no reason to believe that a
stamp is required on marriage IL
cense. The war revenue law of 1898
says that ten-cent stamp shall be af-
20 Hao 10 Of ;o{s
required by law not otherwise specified
in this act" Only by considerable
straining of the construction can this
be supposed to apply to marriage
license. The license is not q public
document, but is merely convenient
and specified form for the use of the
minister or justice in reporting a mar
riage to the County Clerk. If a preach
CIR marries couple, without license
he can be arrested and fined for the
misdemeanor, but the marriage thus
performed is valid. The taking of vows
in the presence of witnesses is the es-
sence Of the ceremony, and constitutes
a marriage whenever performed by a
person with due authority. Such au-
thority is not conveyed by the license.
This paper is only a sort of regulation
blank form by means of which the Off
ciating clergyman is required to place
on record the fact that he has perform
ed such ceremony. There is no reason
| why revenue stamp should be re-
CURED on such paper, and even if it
were worthless without a stamp it
would be matter to concern the min
listers and justices who have married
couples since July, 1898, and not one
| to disturb the marital bliss of the bride
and groom.
Plants in Mexico.