The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-24
Declares Large Families Are a
Blessing and Size Is Not a
Question of Economics.
MORAL LAW is IMPENDING.
Michievous Laws, Which Make Di-
vorces Easy to Obtain, Cause
Danger of Drifting Backward
to Pagan Civilization.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Baltimore. Feb. 23.-Cardinal Gibbons ha.
some very interesting things to say on the
question of. race suicide. He contends that
marriage is a duty. but does not advise It
where love does not exist. Large families,
he contends. are a blessing, and the ques-
ton OF economics should not interfere.
Cardinal Gibbons talked in the handsome
drawing-room Of his palace. In addition to
the question of race suicide. he spoke OF
the home, Of women and Of divorce.
THE question of the home.'' said Cardinal
Gibbons. land how best to preserve 1t and
all for which 1t stands. is the most impor-
tant question before the country to-day.
whether you will place the home on a
durable foundation, ard thus upbuild the
nation, or whether you will sc backward in
the home life to the pagan days. and thus
bring about race suicide Is the vital Ques-
ton.
NO EXCUSE POSSIBLE.
For no nation car prosper as a nation
that does not have a solid foundation for its
superstructure. This is a question of .oth
morals and religion; The dangers that
the family. for the root of the common
wealth Is IN the homes OF the people.
The growing tendency In the men and
its responsibilities is wrong from both the
moral and religious viewpoint. Not enough
people view marriage as a sacrament. and
tAioA a q AolllAly . a blSSSlllk
defeat nature in fulfilling the pur-
pose Of marriage is as criminal as to COM
NIT murder. This moral law. strict. I'M
pending. is alone recognized by the church.
1t governs the whole question of marriage.
and the sacrament would certainly not be
administered to any one who violated the
In a state of sin.
No excuse is p~ossible-neither financial
reasons nor any other. The question of
economics has no place: should have none,
In regulating the size OF families.
"MISCHIEVOUS LEGISLATION."
OF course. people, are not expected to
this sentiment should be rational love-a
love based on duty. on sensibility. 1t
should be a love based on St. Paul's com,
maEd, Bear we one another's burdens. and
SO We shall fulfill the law of Christ
Unhappy. disconnected homes. this social
plague calls for a radical cure. and the
of our mischievous legislation regarding d.
vorce and an honest application Of the Cos
IF persons contemplating marriage were
persuaded that. once united, they were
legally debarred from entering into a Sec
ond wedlock, they would be more circum-
spect before marriage in the choice of a
life partner. and would be more patient
afterwards in bearing the yoke and toll
Grating each others infrmities.
The trouble is too many marry because
call love is earthly and fleeing. a counter
felt of the genuine emotion. And when 1t
has gone there is nothing left but repul-
sion. perhaps emptiness of heart and
misery. Then they want o divorce.
The iaxity of the divorce courts to-day
leads one to ask whether we are not rapidly
drifting backward to pagan civilization.
MARY THE GREAT MODEL"
The great model for the women in who's
hands Is the upbui.oing of the homes OF
this country is Mary herself. This ideal
woman. who is yet real. has the beauty OF
the soul rather than of the body. which de-
light without intoxicating. The contem-
plation of her eXcites no inward rebellion,
as too often happens with Grecian models
She is the mother of fair love, devoid OF
sickly sentimentality or sensuality. In her
We find force of VIII without pride or i'm
periousness. We find in her moral strength
and heroism without the sacrifice of fe-
male grace ard honor-a herolsm of silen;
suffering rather than of noisy action.
And when there are enough women OF
this type. who clasp hands with the church
across the worlds follies and wicked and
foolish beliefs, the question OF race suicide.
the divorce problem and unhappy marital
experience will no more be heard Of"