lieves in the indissolubility
of marriage. Would he want a divorce?

I suppose that very few people have any adequate idea of the
sufferings of women and children; of the number of wives who tremble
when they hear the footsteps of a returning husband; of the number
of children who hide when they hear the voice of a father. Very
few people know the number of blows that fall on the flesh of the
helpless every day. Few know the nights of terror passed by mothers
holding young children at their breasts. Compared with this, the
hardships of poverty, borne by those who love each other, are
nothing. Men and women, truly married, bear the sufferings of
poverty. They console each other; their affection gives to the
heart of each perpetual sunshine. But think of the others! I have
said a thousand times that the home is the unit of good government.
When we have kind fathers and loving mothers, then we shall have
civilized nations, and not until then. Civilization commences at
the hearthstone. When intelligence rocks the cradle--when the
house is filled with philosophy and kindness--you will see a world
a peace. Justice will sit in the courts, wisdom in the legislative
halls, and over all, like the dome of heaven, will be the spirit
of Liberty!

_Question_. What is your idea with regard to divorce?

_Answer_. My idea is this: As I said before, marriage is the most
sacred contract--the most important contract--that human beings can
make. As a rule, the woman dowers the husband with her youth--with
all she has. From this contract the husband should never be released
unless the wife has broken a condition; that is to say, has failed
to fulfill the contract of marriage. On the other hand, the woman
should be allowed a divorce for the asking. This should be granted
in public, precisely as the marriage should be in public. Every
marriage should be known. There should be witnesses, to the end
that the character of the contract entered into should be understood;
and as all marriage records should be kept, so the divorce should
be open, public and known. The property should be divided by a
court of equity, under certain regulations of law. If there are
children, they should be provided for through the property and the
parents. People should understand that men and women are not
virtuous by law. They should comprehend the fact that law does
not create virtue--that law is not the foundation, the fountain,
of love.