Evening journal., 1915-02-11
Peoples Column
UNWIsE TAMPERING WITH
THE PRESENT MiRRIAGI

III hLoLNi WAhhi4ANL LA W.
To the Editor of THE EVENING
JOURNAL:
Sir-Precipitato rushing into print
is not advisable. But, on the other
hand. we should be minute men, ever
ready to defend what we regard TO he
right Since our present excellent
marriage law is being attacked in
some of its vital features. and since
the mistaken impression has gotten
abroad that tho ministers composing
the Ministerial Union are urging a
radical revision of the marriage law.
| feel that l, for one, should speak
out. Eternal vigilance is the price OF
peace" II would seem that similar
kind Of vigilance is the price Of
moral integrity and ethical sanity AS
this unfortunately appears TO be a
year of reactionary activity in regard
TO welfare legislation, as is indicated
by persistent onslaughts on our pres
ent welfare laws, we must rally to the
standard of wholesome progress.
Previous to the enactment of our
present excellent marriage law. the
conditions relative TO marriage cere-
monies were a moral stencil. Will
mington at that time was vastly more
notorious as a "Grctna Green" than
deservedly famous for its splendid
stores, vast industrial establishments.
financial probity. and worthy spirit
ual and civic ideals and attainments.
Our city and State were dsgracod by
the operations of a defective law
which made clandestine marriage with
D al .. .1a...
Thanks TO the operation of the pres
ent marriage law, requiring ninety
six hours TO expire after the granting
of a marriage license for out of State
parties before the ceremony could be
performed. the marriage of couples
, from other States has practically
/ ceased. Now TO abolish the time con-
ditiOn altogether OF practically nullify
the wholesome operation of the time
feature by reducing it to six hours,
would throw our city back to the nau-
seating and morally demOralfzing
marriage conditions that formerly oh
/ tanned. And anyone who would
work to bring about such utterly un-
/ toward conditions. whether merely
! thOughtless or deliberately sinful. are
/ a menace TO the moral health of
humanity within the State and out.
and should be antidoted as we anti
dote poison. And let IL be thoroughly
! understood right now that the large
majority of the clergymen of VIII
mington are emphatically opposed 10
any alteration of the present law that
would cause return to old conditions.
And i'm this fight IL will not be wise
for any who work for reaction TO try
| TO stand behind time-hOnOred titles
and official positions.
: The argument so persistently pre-
sented by those who wish TO again lot
down the matrimonial bars i'm Della
ware is that. fo~ the sake of conserv-
ing domestic and community morals,
marriage should be made easy. This
argument may be specious, but il is
not sound, and, therefore. not safe
Easy re-marriage leads to thinly-
yeiled free love- And free love Is
the last station this side of hell on
the road TO ruin. The easy murder
of chastity cannot be atoned for b,
easy marriage Such false reasoning
when applied to the temperance ques-
tion would advocate the legalized sa-
loon in order to keep the thirsty from
patronizing the "speak-easy. The
easy marriage and the "speak-easy'
arc in the same class. according to m;
judgment.
In the name Of holy marital love
the love that reflects Gods love. whicl
is as intense as the pure heat of fam
ing worlds, as enduring as His throne
and as inviolate as His holiness. le
us continue TO rightly safeguard th'
sanctiiy of the marriage ceremony IL
Delaware. Because Elkton. Md. sins
let us not yearn for the flesh pots O
Egypt The pure mama of the wild
orness is immeasurably better.
Thomas T. Holloway.
Minister Second Baptist Church
b Wilmington, Del, Feb. 10. 1915.