The social life of that community
where divorce is least free is no purer than that where divorce is
not difficult. Otherwise South Carolina, which alone of the States
permits no divorce on any ground, should be an incomparable Eden of
marital innocence. Is it? And New York, which has only one ground,
and that the scriptural, should be the next most innocent. Is it?
Meanwhile the mismated of our day who are struggling through
the transition period between the despotism of matrimony and its
republic can be sure that the righteous will omit no abuse that
they can inflict. Those who would free Russias must face Siberias.
The worst phase of it is that some of those who are determined to
be free and cannot otherwise get free will not hesitate to destroy
innocent persons who may be useful to their escape.
Mrs. Kedzie Dyckman had her heart set on releasing herself from
the husband she had in order that she might try another who promised
her more happiness, more love, and more prestige. The husband she
had would have been willing enough to set her free, both because he
liked to give her whatever she wanted and because he was not in love
with their marriage himself.
But the law of New York State says that married couples shall not
uncouple amicably and intelligently. If they will part it must be
with bitterness and laceration. One of the two must be driven out
through the ugly gate of adultery. They must part as enemies and they
must sacrifice some third person as a blood-offering on the altar.
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