The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1951-10-19
Just Among Ourselves
Passing Comment Considered or lneonsidersfs

Passing Comment Considered or lneonsidersfe
For lack of better employment We have recently
been reading the autobiography of famous sing
ing actress. IT would doubtless be easier TO listen
to her songs than 10 her sage, for, like many self
portraits, this autobiography is done with so many
repetitions and unmeaning strokes that won
ders whether II can be art and is assured that L
is not pretty.
Much OF what a singing actress has to tell of her
life is necessarily technical and of interest only
to musicians. The general reader must be pre-.
pared FOR page after page about training and teach
ers and composers and producers, and cannot right
ly expect much entertainment or inspiration from
the prosy details But he looks for pleasure and per.
hapS instruction, in the matters in which all men
stand common ground-the human rela-
tions," the home life. the ideals and most notably
the morals made manifest in the story of per
sonage
The book here in question is not without interest
IN such points Nor is II lacking in surprises For
instance the subject Of this life" sffirms again
and again that she is welded to her art and has
never had any real notion of being welded TO man
Yet there were flurries of romance. One ardent
suitor was found momentarily acceptable, but he
was dropped when the lady discovered that he had
two major vices he was fantastcay Jealous and
he was though clever at hiding the fact hope
less alcoholic.
Surely, this heroine OF her own tale was just.
fled IN discardlng lover who was greeneyed and
a lush. But there was another reason for being rid
of him. The surprising thing is that the lady does
not recognize It as reason at all and merely
mentions the thing incidentally. This reason is the
fact that the man was already married and was the
father of a szable family
Now here is point for thoughtful consider
alton when we are deving with puzzled mind and
an age that claims the highest enlightenment and
the most forward progress For there are millions
in the modern world whose philosophy of life
commonly called "views'-is with that of the
singing actress who thinks her life important
enough TO go into large book. There are millions
who will instantly approve OF the validity OF leal-
ouSy or alcohol as impedlments 10 marriage, and
will discount entirely the impediment set up by
existing vows and family obligations
When such manifest lack of logic lack of honor
lack of spiritual responsibility is regarded "the
liberal view and serves as the compass for large
part OF our population, VIC cannot wonder at world
gone mad and at civilization on the brink of de-
structon People who regard the marriage contract
as dissolvahle at will or by a simple civil decree
have something wrong with their minds, People
who consider their own emotional experience as
the supreme detrment of values have something
wrong with their souls,
Antnfationary measures may have an econ
omy, Military power may preserve or widen bound.
aries. Laws and rumors Of laws may Straghten
out various kinks in the external conduct of civic
life. But where there is no recognition of marriage
as a sacred and indssolube bond there is a deadly
lesion in the very heart OF society. And none Of
the outer things that congresses and presidents can
do none of the deals that may be deat-talr,
square new or raw-can save society from ruin
II is the natural law the voice OF, sound reason,
which dictates the eXclusiveness and permanence
of the marriage contract The very nature OF the
work normally required of SpouSes, that is, the be-
getting and proper rearing Of children demands un-
tagging and changeess devotion selflesS and all.
enduring dedication, II is not revealed religion
alone which teaches this truth This is the lesson %
right reason And human history is full of evidence
that when this lesson is not learned and needed, dis
aster is inevitable.
We have reason to be worried about the increas
ing burden of our taxes. We are right to wonder
al the strange pattern in which domestic and foreign
policies are manifested to US We are 1usuhed IN
feeling alarm as VIC contemplate the swift advance
OF science in enabling mankind TO blow itself to bits
But We have Tar deeper reasons Tor apprehension
when We notice the serene fashion IN which modern
men regard their own infdelity and dshonor; The
plaeidity with which divorce IS accepted as nuility
inc the most sacred and important duties and obi
cations which il cannot in sane reason touch at all
Here, then is proper matter for our concern
II is a thing far more important to settle right,
than any Asian war any agreement with tn
Sovets Peace talk is profitable only when ther
exists solid moral foundation for peace IN tn
world. As long as marriage is regarded as mer
Holiywoodian romance. ierminable almost at vii
peace talk is only crying. Peace, peace, wher
there is no peace