The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1940-09-20
DIT 0 r Al

worship at the same altar. Time and
again have observed that the most serious
difficulties arise i'm those homes In which
husband and wife do not adhere to the
same religious beliefs.
Other factors that enter into the ques-
tion Of compatibility are the ability TO
agree on economic or financial matters, mu,
tual respect Of husband and wife for each
other, consideration for the others feel
ings and forbearance with their weak
nesses--as someone has expressed it, ito
praise loudly and blame softly
Most Of. the couples who take recourse
to the. divorce courts have no church af-
filiation whatever. 1t is extremely diff
cult for the Court to deal with cases in
which there is no spiritual background,
because in such cases there is nothing OF
a substantial nature to which an appeal
for reconciliation might be directed.
Eventually, the American people must
become aroused and see the future Grim
inal or pauper in the neglected child. It
is now generally accepted fact that most
of the neglected children come from
homes torn asunder by domestic strife.
indeed. here is where the seeds Of crime
are often sown The family still is the
social unit in America today, and the home
is the social stronghold; and to the extent
that these institutions are becoming weak
cned, to that extent our national life is
becoming weakened.
Addressing itself to this premise, the Su-
preme Court of the United States in 1887
spoke thus:
Marriage is an institution, in the main
tenance of which in its purity the public
is deeply interested, and it is the founda-
ton Of the family and Of society, without
which there would be neither civilization
nor progress.
and the Supreme Court Of Indiana in 1888
commented as follows
THE marriage relation is more than
personal relation between man and wom
an. 1t is q status founded on contract and
established by law. 1t constitutes an in
stitution involving the highest interests OF
society and is regulated and controlled by
law based upon principles of public policy
affecting the welfare of the people OF the
State"
During the first week in June of this
year the Court over which ! have the
honor to preside as Judge observed its
fifth annual mo Divorce Week This time
was thought propitious and appropriate
since June is commonly known as the
month of brides. No miraculous claims
are made for mo Divorce Week. but it
does afford an opportunity for the courts
to call attention to the fact that the mar
riage relationship is intended to be per-
manent and to point to the evils that re-
suit from divorce, both for the individuals
themselves, and for the State in general
The favorable reception accorded this
movement has been truly amazing. Many
special days and weeks are observed with
much less rhyme or reason. Some. day, We
hone, mo Divorce Week" may become an
established institution in America.
Have you ever considered the part that
modern transportation plays with regard
to romance? Pick up your Sunday morn
ing paper and look at the pictures OF the
brides, and you will find that in many II
stances bride and groom arc from widely
separated cities. Good marriage and dl-
vorce laws in one State will not help much
if the bordering states arc lax.