The Detroit times., 1915-01-12

authorities estimate that from 60 TO
so per cent of all men have been at
one time or another afflicted with
yenereal disease In one of its two
forms How prevalent syphilis Is, not
one knows because of the secrecy
which necessarily involves the shame
full disease. and because OF the cow
ardly silence with which II has been
covered A large majority Of surgical
operations upon women, especially
laparotomies, are said TO be traceable
70 Infection OF such diseases. Most
blindness is due directly or indirectly
TO this one cause. Hosts OF children
are damned into the world rather than
born into II by reason OF this one
thing. II Is high time that the state
took some action In the matter.
"The Protestant Episcopal church
IN this diocese, which I have the hon
or to represent, In its annual conven-
tion passed resolution strongly rec.
ommending that before solemnizing a
marriage the clergyman require Ger
tificate from both contracting parties.
certifying that they we're free from
any communicable disease, especially
venereal disease, this certificate TO be
signed after examination by a reputa-
BILE physician. Not all. by any means
OF our clergy have had the courage to
live up TO this resolution; some prob
ably have not seen their way clear to
do so because OF the difficulties in
volved; but some. thank God. have
conformed at thee cost OF much self
sacrifice II demanded a good deal OF
moral courage to do II. The object OF
the resolution was educational II
was designed TO lift a standard that
might rally TO II the conscience OF our
fellow Christians OF other names and
also public opinion. hope II has had
some effect. possibly even on the pres
ent propositions Of the judicature com
mission.
This provision Is going TO be diff
cult to enforce, at least in any effec-
tive form. The ordinary tests OF
syphilis in particular are uncertain.
certain test requires time and also
costs money. We should profit by the
Wisconsin experiment In this matter
where the constitutionality OF the law
was jeopardized and its observance
almost nullifed, because physicians
were practically required to perform
costly service for inadequate pay. But.
whatever the difficulties, innocent
women and unborn children must be
protected from this horrible infection
by the bestial lusts OF men. And this
proposed legislation looks in that di-
rection.
THE prevention OF hasty and clan
destine marriages and the require
ment OF publicity by providing a 60
a tn Of
the license and the marriage and also
the advertising OF the license are also
a long step in the right direction. In
our resolution before mentioned. we
required the publishing of the banns
before the solemnizing OF the mar
riage. Marry in haste and repent at
leisure is an adage coined out of
much bitter experience. We know the
truth OF II here In Detroit, particu-
larly. There have been so many Sc
cret marriages OF minors. the unit.
even OF high school boys and girls.
who have run away TO Windsor and
secured the services OF unprincipled
ministers and magistrates. Marriage
Is so high and holy an estate, II In.
wolves such tremendous obligations.
not only between the contracting par
ties but on their part towards the
community. the state. civilization IT.
self, towards the institutions on which
the community, the state and civiliza-
tion rest, namely, the family and the
home, toward the unborn and the
whole future-marriage Is of such a
character that IL is not by any to be
entered into unadvisedly and lightly,
but reverently. discreetly. advisedly.
soberly. and in the fear OF God And
anything we can do by law 10 enforce
due consideration OF its dignity and
ia we'll done