The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-25
CARDINAL GIBBONS
TT se t3 9 Pleads for ohanss ia the Divorce

F'eaos TOT ohange Tn the Divorce Cardinal Gibbons in July Defineator.
 The reckless facility with which di- vorce Is procured in this country is an evil scarcely less deplorable than Nor monism-indeed, it is in some respects more dangerous than the latter, for divorce has the sanction of the civil law, which Monmonism has not Is not the law of divorce a virtual tolera- ton Of Mormonism in a modified form? Mormonism consists in a simultaneous polygamy, which the law of divorce practically leads to successive polyg- amy.
 Each state has on it's statute books list of causes-or, rather pretexts- which are recognized as sufficient ground for divorce. There are in all twenty-two or more causes. most of them of trifling character, and in some States as in Illinois and Maine, the power of granting a divorce is left to the discretion of the judge.
 It is plainly manifest that the cancer of divorce is rapidly spreading over the community and poisoning the foun- tains of the nation. Unless the evil is checked by some speedy and heroic remedy; the existence of family life is imperilled. How can we call ourselves Christian people if we violate a fun damental law of Christianity? And If the sancity and indissolubility of mar | riage does not constitute a cardinal
  am at a loss to know what does. Picture to yourself the fearful wrecks daily caused by this rock of scandal, and the number of families that are cast adrift on the ocean of life. Great stress is justly laid by nor alists on the observance of the Sunday. But what mockery is the external re- pose of the Christian Sabbath to homes | from which domestic peace Is banlsh- | ed, where the mothers heart is bPok- l en and the fathers spirit crushed, and where the children cannot cling to one | of their parents without exciting the | jealousy or hatred of the other. And these melancholy scenes are followed by the final act of the drama when the family ties are dissolved and hearts l that had vowed eternal love and union are separated to meet no more. The facility with which marriage ia annulled Is most injurious to the nor als of individuals, of the family and of society,
 It leads to ill-assorted and hastv marriages, because persons are less circumSpect in making compact which may afterward be di@olved al- most al will.
 It stimulates a discOntented and un- | principIed husband or wife to lawless- ness quarrels and even adultery well l knowing that the very crime will af- ford a pretext and legal grounds for separation.
 1t engenders between husband and wife fierce litigations about the GUS tody of their offspring.
 u depriVes the children of the pro tecting arm of a father or the gentle care of q mother, and too frequently consigns them to the cold charity of the world; for the married couple Who are wanting in contugal love for one another are too often destitute also of parental affection. In word, 1t brings into the household blight ana desolation which neither wealth nor luxury can repair.
 This social plague calls for radi- cal cure, and the remedy can be found only in the abolition of our mischiev' ous legislation regarding divorce and in honest application of the teachings of
 If persons contemplating marriage were persuaded that once united they into second wedlock they would be more circumspect before marriage in the choice of a life. partner. and would be more patient afterward in bearing the yoke and in tolerating each other s fneirmitiAs