The Irish standard., 1907-09-14

1 ~SNNS-AA' N-~SOS
come up at every term of court in the
large cities where divorces are asked,
the parties having previously agreed
to part. The first four days of our
court calendar in the city of Min
neapolis for the September term show
Is default cases for hearing. Not a
contested case among them. Pretty
conclusive evidence that the defendants
do not object very seriously AS a
matter of fact, when there is a con-
tested divorce case, the contest arises
usually because of property rights. The
laws of this state and most other states
make it very easy for those who did
not find their affinity" in the first
attempt to release themselves from the
marriage bonds. In this time and place
marriage contract need not hinder
any who are in search Of their affinity.
Indeed, that search may be better pros-
ecuted in the marriage state. They
can do as the New York artist and
Socialist did: take the found part
fS~@
ners home and give them a trial.
1t is hard to escape the conviction
mat women are very largely respons-
IDLE for the growth Of the divorce evil.
1t was woman that was chiefly bene-
hted by the institution of Christian
marriage BY its means she was res
cued from practical slavery. Where
Christian marriage does not attain in
the world. woman's position is a hard
one. The divorce courts make it pos
slble to in measure place women in
the same miserable position that thew
occupied before the Christian era, In
some ways at least successive poly
gamy. which is permitted by our di-
vorce laws. is worse than contempor-
aneous polygamy. The Mormons of
Utah and Idaho support their many
wives and children while the poly
gamist Of the divorce court supports
only one at a time.
Is it not strange that four out of
every Ave applicants for divorce are
women? OF the Is cases set down for
trial during the past week So plaintiffs
were women and 16 men. We have
not the figures at hand, but we VEN
ture to say that in the IS cases re-
ferred to the percentage of those where
any property rights are involved is
very small. We also venture to saw
that in the great majority of cases
the ground alleged to secure the di-
vorce is desertion. For what purpose
do women whose husbands have de-
serted them and where no property
rights are involved, ask for a divorce?
Not to secure possession of children.
because. we venture to say. that there
is not single case where the desert
ing spouse has taken the children. Not
to secure property because there is
no property. Not to secure protection
from a husband because he has de-
serted and has not been seen for years.
What is the purpose? They will tell
you, to secure their freedom or to get
it off their mind. Yes. in a great
many cases to get one man off their
mind and another on!
If we had a national divorce law
making it a criminal offense for either
one of the parties to a divorce action
to remarry during the lifetime of the
+, other party. the divorce calendar of
our courts would be cut down at
| least so per cent. by that one law
alone. Outside of all question of re-
| ligion. outside Of all teaching of the
church, would it not be sound public
policy and good morals to have such
law? Can any good and sufficient
reason be given why people who have
made one failure of matrimony should
be allowed to try it over againo We
have heard and read the old argument
made in favor of divorce; that it pre-
vents secret immortality. Well, as be-
tween secret immortality and public,
open, brazen adultery, give US the for
| ner. 1t at least will not be Haunted
in the eyes of decent people. 1t will
not be brought to homes of little
! children.
| This divorce evil is the most threat
ening menace that confronts the
American people. 1t promises If I'M
checked by law, or by an awakened
public conscience. to entirely destroy
the American home. Something must
be done. In Catholic countries the
Church can and does regulate this
matter. In the United States 1t is a
powerful force in checking the divorce
evil, but it cannot in the nature of
things prevent it. 1t cannot even
discipline those who claim to be men,
bers of the Church. 1t cannot prevent
the civil authorities from granting a
divorce and it cannot prevent the civil
authorities or other religious denomi,