The Irish standard., 1907-10-26
MARRIAGE FAILURES
More Common Here Than In
Any Other Country
Plain Reasons Why Present
State of Affairs Exists.

Plain Reasons Why Present
3 State of Affairs Exists.
N II q violent patriotism and fero-
newspaper editors, all the more con-
scientious and Intelligent among them
would undoubtedly have called their
readers attention to a notable article
under the above heading In the Sep
tember number Of the Atlantic Month
ly. It is by all odds the most import
ant contribution to any of our maga-
zines or reviews in many months. one
well deserving Of the careful consider
alton of every American citizen-an
article that should be read with some
measure Of self-reproach by men. and
by women without much or any re-
sentiment. It was fine editing to pre-
sent this paper just when people had
returned from the mountains or the
seaside, disposed for more serious
reading, and to assign its first place
In an issue Of special attractiveness.
says the Ave Maria.
: The writer. Mrs. Anna A. Rogers,
who is new contributor to the At
iantic, begins with the statement Of
two facts as palpable as they are oe-
plerable-that our social disease is
increasing, and that conditions are ia
vorable to It's propagation.
Every recent decade has shown a
marked increase in the evil of divorce
in the United States-out of all pro-
portion to the growth of population.
It is also a matter Of statistics that the
evil Is growing more rapidly in our
country than in Europe. OF course.
this prsponderance may BE- partly ac-
counted for by the greater number of
divorce courts on this side Of the At
lantic. We have 1891 courts which
have the power to grant divorces. as
against Bngland's one, Gernany's
twenty-eisht and frances seventy
nine,
Three principal reasons for the fail
ure OF so many American marriages
are assigned: namely, the reputation
by women Of the dignif1ed duty of
wedlock: their selnshness and extrav-
asance; their failure either to promote
happiness or to preserve peace in their
households. In establishing these
charges, Mrs. Rogers unconsciously re-
veals the qualities which she herself
most admires in those wonderful. old
women Of past generation-exquisit.s .
refinement. ready sympathy. calm
judgment as Of wisdom long dtgested,
Mnworldliness. high sense of RESPONSE
bility, and SO forth.
There would be more harmony In all
households. less incompatibility be-
tween husbands and wives, and as a
consequence fewer divorces, il An1er-
can women were to heed such words
as will presently be quoted-"words Of
wisdom, we'll weighed"--and take to
heart the lessons which they incul-
cate. Mrs. Rogers bases her sugges-
tions on the conviction that women
are largely responsible for the slack
ening Of marriage ties in the United
states. unprepared. undisciplined, un-
counselled, small wonder that, after
assuming the responsibilities of wife
hood and motherhood, the wives Of
our time shoukl grow restless and re-
bellious. Hare are warning and coun-
Sci for such as are not too frivolous or
too desperate to heed:
There are several facts about the
masculine character Of which women
will do we'll to realize the innmutabil-
ty. 1t makes not one particle Of Diff
Terence what the wife expects or de-
niands in marriage, whether she gives
freely or begrudgingly-if for any rea
/ son whatsoever a man does not flnd
his home happy. or at least peaceful,
4 whether it be her fault or his, the
chances are that he will close his lips.
\ put on his hat and 90 his brutal way
Y elsewhere! He may seek distraction
among other men, in frenzy Of work
or pleasure-and he may not.
OF one thing the young wife may be
H sure: that man has neither the in
Il stinct nor the time to coddle his disap-
4 sentiments in marriage-he puts on
I his hat! This is his universal. silent,
,inlabeled argument that the happiness
sc1 that home is not his business. but
1 hers. If the fault is his. the brute ex-
4 pects patience: If it's hers. he expects
4 sslf-control. If neither is forthcoming
we'll. that Is her lookout. He wanted