The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1907-01-31
BY MARGARET E. sANesTeR.


The divorce laws OF this country
are dissimilar in many important
particulars in different localities. In
some of the states divorce is easily
obtained On the ground of incompati-
bility or OF almost any pretext that
enables a dissatisfied husband and
wife to sever the bond that has hither-
to united them.
Infidelity, intemperance and deser-
ton are three of the most cogent rea-
son presented in the divorce courts
and in a majority of the states; IL
the complaint is proven on any of
these grounds. the decree of separa-
ton, either limited or absolute, is
granted without much demur. In n
or two of the older and more conserv-
alive states, notably in the south, and
on the Atlantic seaboard below Ma
sons and Dixie's line, unfaithfulness
to marital VOWS is the only cause com.
monty offered by uncomfortably
mated people, with any hope of gain
ing their end. Nonsupport of a wife
by a husband is a ground for divorce
accepted by the courts in a large num-
Der of states, and with much reason.
Yet when all is said there remains
this stigma that divorce rests on too
flimsy a basis, that there Is no uni
formity in our laws in this depart
ment so that people are divorced and
remarked with undue haste, while 1t
is quite possible that a man and
n.azn x~1A lsxvA L. 1A,-F-V -.-lI--I-
in ohe state may be regarded as UNI
married in another, and If they live
together do so under the ban of open
immortality.
To assert that people never make
mistakes in the closest of human rela-
lions and that divorce should never
be granted except on the one ground
of infidelity, is to affirm an opinion
that in some cases would infict use
less and intolerable suffering, and do
no good to any of the parties con.
cerned. But to permit divorce to be
easy, to let the state consent to a
change OF partners in marriage as
children change places in the old
game of stage-coach, and to remove
wholly from divorced persons a re-
proach when they remarry as they
often do, in precipitation and by evi.
dent pre-arrangement, is to strike a
blow at the foundation-stone of So
ciety, the family.
Everything stable In civilized life
depends on the integrity of the family.
The family is the greatest of human
institutions. It preceded the state and
the church. When the family is no
longer regarded as sacred, when its
responsibilities are trampled upon.
and husband and wife In mad selfish.
ness forget the claims upon them of
their offspring, there is the greatest
danger that the nation will follow
the fate of effete and corrupt nations
in the past.
The real sufferers in easy divorce
are the children. 1t is pitiful to see,
as n often does. a father and moth.
or at variance %contending oyer the
children who should be their dearest
bond of union. The little ones cling
ing in the sweet simplicity of child
ish affection to father and mother
vainiy try to understand the discords
that ruin their home. The love of
their little loyal hearts Is given alike
to father and to mother. If by the
adjudication of a court they are torn
from the arms of one and placed in
the care of the other, they begin a
MANNED and mutilated life.
They are ashamed when among
their little mates because there is
something that sets them apart, some
thing queer and odd that they AN
not explain.
Children have a strange capacity