Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-22
Increase of Divorces

ed a sort of census report on the oil
vorce question, as shown in Chica-
go records, on marriages also. In
every five of the marriages there is
one divorce case. Five to one as a
general average.
This exhibit is startling to read
about, The havoc IN domestic rela-
tons is formidable. Where children
are involved the damage is vitality
increased. 1t requires about all the
wisdom possessed by good parents
to train up a child. when both are
more concerned with their RESPONSE
biLty OF rearing their offspring and
less selfish towards their own sriev'
ances.
Patience and forbearance are alb
Solutely necessary and the discipline
is good for both husband and wife,
in settling their own differences, to
save the children.
This five to one announcement is
accompanied by proposed explana
lions as to causes, etc. 1t is not sur
prisins that the mother gets the
most of the blame. The mother
seems to be the closest to the child,
especially in infancy. The mothers
are represented as silly and volatile
in mind and manners. If this in
dictment is sustained, God help the
human family in forthcoming days.
This feature of the indictment
should be thoroughly discussed, be-
cause marriage is not a one-sided af.
fair, nor are all divorces chargeable
to the wife. The story of the why
and the wherefore is never fairly re-
ported. There are good men, also
some very bad mothers, not too
many of either class. The mother is
generally more loyal to the child in
her desire to protect the child's in
terests, because the Maker of heaven
and earth laid the burden OF mater
nifty on the woman and not upon the
man. The child is necessarily obliged
to inherit many things from the
mother, but it is astonishing how
often we discover almost perfect
likeness to the father in the boy,
sometimes, not so often in the girls
face and form; and do we appreciate
this inheritance of a fathers looks
and his mental forces, and his likes
and dislikes, as We should? And
when a strong man sees this imprin
on the child, and then looks on the
mother, who has gone down into the
very shadow of death to give life to
his child, is he not less than human
who would maltreat the mother or
deny to her the best within his reach
for her suStenance and comfort?. 1t
was not mentioned in this caustic re-
view Of womans failure to reach I'D
to the standard as evidenced by this
i've to one exhibit; that many hus-
bands can be cruel as we'll as un.
faithful, neglectful as we'll as selfish.
disregardful of his offspring and of.
ten entailing upon them the unclean-
illness which goes with a habitual
drunkard's blood, yet these things
do happen, not occasionally, but Toe
often.
The failure and lack of religious
training cannot be laid properly on
the woman, because it was of Abra.
ham that the Lord said, "I knew he
would bring up his household in the
way they should 60" Perhaps we
can all agree that "old-time relig-
ION" might solve this mooted cues.
ton as to whom the b;=.,Se belongs.
Mrs. Senator Watson
This scribe has been acquainted
with Mrs. Thomas E. Watson for
many long years. I haveA been a
guest IN the splendid home of her.
self and the late Senator Watson,
more than once, and she was a lady
to be appreciated, honored and be-
loved by all who knew her. She was
truly loyal to her husbands friends.
AS a wife, mother, grandmother,
and friend, she was super-excellent.
She filled all these positions with
becoming dignity and grace. She
was gracious hostess and a noble,
wife and a devoted mother to her
children-without reserve.
The shock of Senator Watson's
death has perhaps shortened her.
own life.
Her own children preceded her to
the grave. She had two young
grandchildren to care for, and had
been doing her utmost for their edu-
cation and sustenance since her
wldowhood. They are also budding
into womanhood and will miss the
loving care OF their grandparents.
May Heaven bless them, and keep
them to the end of their lives!
When I was in Washington city,
a little more than a year ago, I
called on Vice President Coolidge
in the capitol, and mentioned the
fact that had been we'll acquainted
with Mrs. Watson for many long
years. He said: present me to Mrs.
Watson when you see her again,
with my best respects and kindest
wishes for her health and happi-
ness. She is a lovely good woman
one of the excellent of earth"
She won many friends in Wash
ington city during the service oe
her distinguished husband as Unit
ed States senator.
Governor Hardwick rendered her
the office held by her husband-to
fill the vacancy made by Senator
Watson's sudden death. She has
lived well, and has passed on to her
eternal reward, with the abounding
love and tender regard of many.
many friends in her native state.
She was greatly bereaved in the
death of her beautiful daughter
Agnes Leland of her dear son,
also, She has known deep sorrow