The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1904-12-01
SENSIBLE OBSERVATIONS
BISHOP CHESHIRE ON DIVORCE.
Thinks Ne,:h Carolina Should Re-
turn to the Code Ct 1888.

Thinks Norsh Carolina Should Re
turn to the Code Ct 1883.
Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire, i,
sending to the Biblical Recorder a COD,
OF the resolutions passed by the Epls
copal convention last June, relative t.
the divorce laws In North Carolina
writes as follows:
sit seems to me that the present sit
aation Is most favorable tor thorough
and satisfactory reform. North Carroll
ma, thank God, is Christian country
We differ about some things, but the
mass OF our people believe in the prin
clples of Christianity and honor Gods
Holy Word. We all hold marriage tC
be, not a civil contract, but divine
institution, resting upon the divine
sanction. That this has been our idea
ot marriage, is plainly written in the
laws Ct all the States as they came
down to us from our fathers. From
the beginning of our laws down to, and
Including the Code of 1883, 1t is be-
yond all question that the Christian
aw OF marriage was that which our
law glvers had set up and perpetaated.
This could be abundantly illustrated
by the recorded opinions of our judges
N their Interpretation of our laws OF
marriage and divorces. The law OF di-
vorce as it stood in the Code as adopted
IN 1883, satisfied the Christian con-
science OF our people as whole, and
that same Christian conscience de
.nands a return to that law. The only
post-nuptial cause for divorce from the
bonds at marriage, i. e., a divorce al
lowing remarrlage, was for the cause OF
adultery, the one cause allowed by the
New Testament. Ard thus the law re-
manned until 1887. But in that year,
in 1889, and in 1895, and in 1899, and
in 1903, the law was altered and debas-
ed, and new causes of divorce we're add
ed and extended, and, the facilities for
taking advantage of those causes iu-
creased, until the State OF North Caro-
liua is brought to the shameful condi-
ton of utterly ignoring the divine
character of the marriage relation, and
treating it as mere matter of BUSH
ness interest and convenience.
Now the strength of our position
when we as citizens of North Carolina
demand the repeal Of all thee mod!i-
cations OF the divine law is that every
such relaxation of the strictness of our
Old law, was passed, not upon any
principle Of moral, social or political
science, but in direct violation of every
such principle, and for the purpose of
relieving some individual of the obi
cations of marriage. The general law
has been depraved, and the public
sanctions of marriage lowered, and the
public mind demoralized, tor the bene-
fl of this or that individual, who hap
pened TO haye influence in the Legs
lature. l do not make these assertions
0. my own knowledge. but ! am assur-
e. nron what 1 believe to be the best
authority, that such have been the
causes producing the amendments OF
1887, 1899, 1895, 1899 and 1908"
We may we'll demand the repeal of
such laws, passed under such Influences.
General laws should be based upon
consideration of general principles, and
no: upon the personal interests and
desires OF particular individuals. The !
Christian people OF North Carolina,
aud that means in effect all the people |
o. North Carolina, demand of their |
representatives that they shall leglslate
fr the whole body of the people, and
not for the few, and that they restore
the Old law of our fathers, and repeal
these relaxations by which 1t has been |
depraved in the interests OF favored |
Individuals.
"The divorce law in The Code OF
1888 satisfies the necessities and the
wishes Of our people, because 1t ex-