The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-16

the husband ground for divorce yet
that was not Bible ground.
| Senator Woodland said that ii was better
! for the human family to live according TO
the Bible. by the sermon on the Mount,
! by the laws ON the tablets of stone. but
We are but men representing fral con-
stitueneies, with Weaknesses and passions
! like ourselves. and we cannot by legisla-
ton bind two hostile hearts into loving
bonds He claimed divorces are not too
easy in North Carolina. The applicants
for divorce are compelled to swear that
there IS no collision To obtain the relief.
This body can not deal with the purpose
and intents of the heart. but only with
the overt acts. It a man violates his
solemn promise to protect and cherish a
woman he is a coward, and she should not
be punished for the faith she vainly re-
posed in him. He eloquently pictured the
hardship and cruelty of such a law and
closed with a fervcnt anDeal not to re-
vert to barbarsm.
ARGUES FOR THE BIBLE STANDARD.
Senator Morrison said the laws should
! be so that the keeping thereof would not
make men sinners in the eyes of God
Almighty and bring eternal destruction
upon their souls. These laws are TO gov
ern all the people and the most import
ant contract humans can make is the
martial vow. Shall this body encourage
the violation of the divine law? The
Senator from Wilson saws that we are
living in new times, that conditions have
/ changed. Yes, they have and why? Be-
cause God sent down his holy law and
blessed a sin cursed world and if that
is today violated then we will soon revert
TO barbarity. This question is just this,
if you adopt this amendment you allow
any one to get divorces that want to.
The Senator from Cleveland saws it re-
lates back that is always the plea.
Corples will separate with confidence
that thev can get a divorce for a future
Legislature viii extend the time. Are
these Senator's read TO sav This is
new time and Let us stand aside the
Bible? ,"
Marriage IS contract and it REQUIRES
competency and consideration to make
a contract. and if either party practices
a gross fraud then the VOW is no contract
in the eyes of God or a righteous state.
but the debar must exist at the time of
marriage. The divorce laws have become
so easy in North Carolina that people
from other States are coming here to get
divorces and the good Christian people
all over the State are demanding that the
fair name of North Carolina be purged
of this awful STAIN II the inevitable
laws of the Almighty appear to work a
hardship TO our finite minds that cannot
Justify us in not trying to measure up
to the scriptural requirements.
SENATOR JUSTICE COUNCILS PEACE.
Senator Justice said the quotations from
the Bible had really put him al sea. He
considered the Bible a true history and
believed eyerr word of it. Christ came
from humanity. weak, frail sinful human
ity, ret he lived a stainless and perfect
life. That IS his beauty. but it does not
mean that God approved the wiekedness
Of David. his forefather. On the other
hand the Senators were not competent TO
pass upon the Bible, even theologians
differed, and it was not just to character
ize the advocates of the amendments as
against the Bible. In concluding, he said:
Il am o"oosed to a loose divorce law.
The marriage contract is sacred and
should be so maintained, but l don't want
to see the Senator's who favor modifying
the bill put in the light Of opposing
Christ's teaching We must take in the
connections and opinions may differ"
Senator Morrison said he was merely
presenting the subject as it appeared TO
him. and he did not intend to reflect on
the Senator from Cleveland, whom he
knew was an earnest Christian, or the
Senator from Wilson for whom he had the
utmost regard and faith.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Mr.. Sugg: From citizens at All Creek
church. Green county, asking that the
same be Incorporated.
Mr.. McAllister: From the citizens of
Cabarrus relative to courts.
BILLS INTRODUCED