The Washington herald., 1906-11-09
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

1t IS difficult in the face Of the matri-
monial fascos that distinguish the pres
ent day, TO determine exactly what
should and should not be food for public
digest in the circumstance Of marriage
Upon reading the naUseous detail that
foreruns suit Of separation, one recalls.
with cynicism. the bIare of -rumpets that
made the nuptials Of this same man and
woman a seven days wonder. The com
ment is apt TO be made that if less pub
liclty had attended the marriage. q great
ct degree of deCency would characterize
the divorce.
For a man or woman who contem-
plates matrimony, an excellent plan is TO
determine whether the ceremony is TO
be regarded as a religious or legal
contract II entered into as sacrament.
the marvel is that the marriage should
not be conducted as solemnly and with as
reverential a spirit as any other sacra-
ment of the church. II viewed as a re-
lgiOus rite. it should be as quietly cele-
brated as Communion; if held in soul ac-
count Il should be private as the service
Of burial
That is strong language. and the senti-
ment viii not appeal 10 the average
young girl who anticipates her wedding
as a joyous function unattended by an
element of sadness. She fOrgets that the
highest JOY and the deepest sorrow are
close akin.
There IS no fault to be found with the
gaiety and merriment Of a wedding re-
ception. There is cause for criticism.
however. when this element enters into
the marriage ceTemOny-especiaIly a cere-
eaG al.
Persons should be morally ConvinceI
that marriage will stand the test of time
before they invite the world TO witness
the VOWS that. through the agency of the
church and clergy. are made direct TO
God. If. on the other hand. marriage is
looked upon In the light of legal pro
ceeding, there is no excuse for employ
ing the ministers or the forms of the
church TO celebrate il.
II is a simple and an honorable thing
TO transfer Il name and enter into legal
partnership. Magistrates are eminently
suited 90 transact the business. They
are mediums of reason, not sentiment.
Eliminate all sOul-claims and let such a
ceremony represent a dignified alliance
of lives. and a greater degree Of self
and public respect will be preserved if
incompatiblity results.
There is better chance Of success in
asking a magistrate to return woman's
freedom than in attempting TO get back
vows from God.
Hold the gay and congTatulatory recep-
ton after the legal marriage, the same
as after the religious one. Make no
boasts In either case. Time is a better
test of fealty than public protestation.
When a woman Is in love, she only
questions Can I possibly live without
him?''
When she is out Of love, she demands:
Can l possibly live with him?''
The latter question IS propounded with
better grace in state of legal matri-
mony. which demands less of the future,
than in sacramental alliance. A woman
married by religious contract is In a way
bound 10 preserve the decorum of the
state into which she has entered, quite rs
much as the nun who takes the vows OF
sisterhood legal union is a frank con-
fessiOn of reliance upon a civil power
that can undo what it has done
When ceremonies of marriage are con-
Quoted privately, the world will not have
its attention directed TO the religious or
legal claims made by the contracting par
ties.
In cases Of divorce, the unfortunate
participants viii be spared a portion of
the embarrassment and chagrin that must
attend the remembrance Of public protes-
tations made to God and man.