The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1901-07-12
We learn from the daily newspaper

At the very time these eminent
physicians are seriously considering
the ACCESSIBILITY of making this
recommendation, a preacher. occupy.
ing a prominent pulpit in this state,
and standing we'll with the denomi.
nation to which he belongs, writes q
signed article to the Florida Christian
Advocate, in which he punctures
with sarcasm and scholarly invective
those who conscientiously believe
that "ircurable insanity" is good
ground for divorce.
This eminent divine seems to be
impressed with the belief that insan-
ity, even in its worst form, is not en-
tirely undesirable, and from his ar
gument we conclude that he must be-
lieve that even the "incursble" vari-
ETY. should be no bar TO matrimony
and filling the world with insane off.
spring.
For three years, he says, he was
chaplain of an asylum for the insane.
and saw while there an "incursble"
who was chief baker, AMI eXcelled In
his art.
He saw another "incurable" who
was bookkeeper. for the institution,
and was so correct an expert as TO
merit the commentator of the SUI
perintendent.
Still others who could discourse
most intelligently on the subject of
religion, sing with enthusiasm and
enter into the spirit of divine service
with fervor.
Another, who some famous editor
has said was dangerous patient"
who re-edited and compiled Ger
man gram mar and dictionary of mar
velous merit.
Here We have the wonderful state
ments transcribed to cold type and
recorded in religious newspaper that
insanity really makes for the improve
ment of the race, or, at least, is not
hurtful to it.
1t intensifies ones spiritual zeal,
sharpens aud illumines the intellect,
and makes an adept of the artesan
and scholar.
Why, then, should not compul-
sorry marriage Law for the insane be
enacted 80 rs to sharpen the intellect
of the generations that are yet to
come, intensity that part which is
spiritual and do away with the indo-
lent stupidity of ordinary, common
place, everyday except Sunday sani-
".
Does this preacher want the beauti-
full achievements of the insane which
he has discovered taught as thesis
in our pulpits? Does he want his
statements to be accepted as genuine,
or is he merely posing as one of our
modern jokers, somewhat after the
style of Tom Sawyer?
II he is serious and keeps on follow
ing the line he IS pursuing, his friends
will see. if he does not, the necessity
of his soon returning TO the asylum of
which be speaks so fistteringly, not as
a commonplace chaplain, but as one
of the brilliant inmates.
But, speaking seriously on this SUBJ
ject, as We try 10 speak on all impor-
tant subjects. We note that Mrs. Susan
b. Anthony, one of the most brilliant
female intellects Of the country, says
that divorce is the inestimahle priv.
ilege OF woman"
She gives an account of the bitter
war waged against her snd her follow
ers when they endeavOred TO have
"haoitual drunkenness" made legal
ground for divorce.
The religious press denounced the
movement in especially bitter terms.
Even Horace Greeley, broad mind
ed 81 he was, used the tremendous
weight OF the New York Tribune's
editorial columns against divorce un-
.1or any -