The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1907-03-14
SECRET MARRIAGES
ARE A NUISANCE.
) o o 0 . 0 0 . . o . . . . . .

Edna X. Wooley Is opposed to mar
rage in secret, and wrote the follow
ing article for The Cleveland News:
why do you not write upon cute
ness of getting married. or some such
title?' asks a correspondent. "a few
days ago announcement was made by
young couple of Cleveland that they
had been married q year. They seemed
to think it quite smart that they had
kept it from the knowledge Of the pub
lie for so long q time. Now, do you
not know that the majority of those
who read of such cases are simply
disguised with what / term NONSENSE
BILE actions? And more, 1t makes the
reader think that in many such cases
the attempt is made to explain GER
tain things | hope you will see your
way clear to give this subject little
writing up. Marriages should be
made in an open, honorable manner,
and If not so made it is sufficient
cause for just criticism"
This is a good point to consider and
i thank my correspondent for bringing
1t to the attention of News readers.
A good many young people nova
days do appear to think 1t Is smart"
to keep their marriage secret until
it is convenient TO reveal the fact or
until necessity will not allow further
concealment. So far as most of US
can see, there is nothing commenda-
BILE is such secrecy. The spirit of the
law is that married people should be
known as such. When two people
decide upon so important step a
step not only important to themselves,
but to society--the only honorable
thing to do is to be married openly,
together. and seek in no way to give
an impression that either is still free
to marry.
In some respects, elaborate we'd
dings may be the cause Of number
of secret marriages. Also, the wish
to escape fool demonstrations from
over-enthusiastic friends, may have
some bearing upon the concealment
of marriages for a time, And then,
there is the idea: Its nobody's bust
ness il we want to get married and
keep it to ourselves"
In the first place when two people
marry 1t is everybody's business. Their
action affects the community. 1t
places both the man and the woman
in different attitude toward society.
Secondly, two self-respecting people
need not bankrupt themselves or their
parents by an elaborate wedding. Only
pair of snobs will offer their elope-
ment as an excuse for escaping we'd
ding with "trimmin's." Thirdly. the
fool friends will soon find them
selves ignored In this connection let
me say that I don't know Of anything
in humanity so asinine as these So
called wedding jokers, who mar the SUI
preme moment, insult the highest emo
lions of two peoples lives. This eus-
tom of "hazing'' the newly married
is thoroughly reprehensible. No COM
munity should countenance 1t. In fact,
the better classes OF people do not In
dulge in this sort of horse play.
But why should people wish to keep
their marriage secret? 1t isn't re-
markedly clever thing To do. or course
when the information Is given out. Il
creates more or less surprise. But how
much greater is the pleasure of those
congratulations, good wishes and
handshakes which start the bride and
bridegroom on the road they have
chosen to travel together. No woman
should try to conceal the fact that she
lis wife. The truth should be d pride
to each. cannot imagine that IL aug
|ers well for any couples happiness
when deceit and concealment form the
beginning OF their married life.