Sentence:  [S]ome people . . . have been so short-sighted and reckless as to clamor for an easy dissolution of the marriage-contract. . . . Is it possible that they do not see that this is a liberty which, once granted, would always <WSD>tell against</WSD> the weaker sex? 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To function as a liability (for someone); to put into a condition of disadvantage.