Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-07-01
REMARKABLE LETTERS.

| must gradually have laid h0ld OF the
American people. This conclusion is
forced not only by the fact that the
divorce evil Is growing 10 enormous
proportions. but also by another fact,
that inndelty Is condoned, as never
before IA this country
A striking illustration OF this Is found
IN the Sunday Magazine OF the New
York World A lady, IN a letter 70 Or.
Abbott complains Of the alienation OF
her husbands feelings, and asks for ad-
vice. She states that she has lived for
years with her husband In perfect hap
pnoss. Finally he became acquainted
with another lady and he learned to
love her too. when she heard Of
this lamentuble fact she, naturally
felt inexprcssibly miserable. Her
husband had always tried TO lead the
lie Of a Christian, and the wife was at
loss &c account for the new infatua'
ton. There are moments the grief
stricken wife says, when despair over
whems me feel that perhaps this
passion Is really the deepest, the SUI
preme affection Of his life, and In that
case what solution is there TO this trag-
edy? Can you at least send me SONS
one thought to cling 70 IN those dread
fu moments when feel like giving ny
the s;ruggle?'
TO this letter Or. Abbott replies, In
substance. that there may be faults on
both sides, aud that reform must COM
mence az home. lie advises the wife
to go back 10 checrfulness.' as the
motives on the part Of the husband
may be az innocent az his actions have
been, And then he says:
Us 1t wrong for husband to find tn
tcrcst and attraction ~ the society Of
a woman other than his own wife? Is
II wrong for wife 10 ind interest and
attraction In the society II a man other
than her own husband? II may be. IL
may not be. IL depends entirely upon
the circumstances, the conditions, the
nature and degree Of the Interest and
attraction. N one person. not even
faithful and loyal wife. can OIL TO the
full all the life Of any other person.
though he be n devoted husband our
lives are complicated; they have many
elements I'm them. and they must get
their supply through many avenues and
from many springs. All that wife has
any right TO ask is that kind Of loyalty
and devotion which puts her hrst ana
supreme In his regard, All that hus-
band has a right to ask Of his wife Is
similar supreme regard
That certainly is remarkable phlloso-
ply. at a time when there Is so much
agitation. ostenslbly for the purity"
and Integrity" Of the American home.
And stll more remarkable, Or. Abbott
finds supporters among prominent We
men for the stand taken. The World
submitted the correspondence to several
ladies, for their opinion, Mrs. Almon
Hensey says IN part
"Dr. Abbott's advice to the troubled
wife was eminently wise. The pain
would seem TO be wholly unnecessary
and the result Of oyermuch broodlng
and a surcharged Imagination, AS adj
vice in this one case Dr. Abbotts re-
marks cover the ground and supply all
that was needed. Considering the mat
ter generally however / should go fur
Their than he does | think there should
be In an Ideal marriage absolute Free
dom as to the comings and goings;
liberty OF Individual friendships and
whole souled recognition on both sides
Of the need Of other companionshlp
than that AFFORDED by conJugal life
Where there Is such knowledge of hui
man needs and also willingness for the
partner 10 lead his or her individual
life as he or she may think best, with
out dlctatlon or Jealousy, there we find
happy, cheerful homes"
Another distinguished lady, pr. So
phe b. scheel, remarks
"As to the possibility or deslrabillty
OF a husband admiring other women
than his wife, I should think that a
man Of small mind failed to find pleas
ure In the acquaintance OF others OF my
sex. do not believe In restricting him
to too narrow lines"
Others, however, insist that nothing
but separation will 1T this case.
The entire discussion suggests that
we have drlfted away from the position
Va ln' oAh uli'ol"f 40 iNh"lu9 h'"'"i
standards. especially those marking the
Ideal home, The ship is drifting. II
il the plaything Of changing winds and
tickle waves Where is It goingP 1t
seems. really. to be nearing destructive
breakers and dangerous coast but 1t
will finally find new harbor, and safe
anchorage, guided by the light OF re-
veaed truth. which gives forth It's rays
forever and ever