Marriage and Divorce in State and Church

Authors

Benjamin Brewster, Grace Church Rectory, Colorado Springs, CO

Abstract

When, in 1831, the French philosopher De Tocqueville visited America, he was impressed with the stability of the marriage relation. In his great work, "Democracy in America," he thus sums up the results of his observations: "There is certainly no country in the world where the tie of marriage is so much respected as in America, or where conjugal happiness is more highly or worthily appreciated." And this acute and discerning reasoner makes a further reflection, from his stand-point as one interested in the maintenance of order and stability in the state: "Agitated by the tumultuous passions which frequently disturb his dwelling, the European is galled by the obedience which the legislative powers of the state exact. But when the American retires from the turmoil of public life to the bosom of his family, he finds in it the image of order and peace... Whilst the European endeavors to forget his domestic troubles by agitating society, the American derives from his own home that love of order which he afterwards carries with him into public affairs." So it was in 1831. How is it with the stability of home ties in our generation in this country?

Recommended Citation

Benjamin Brewster, Marriage and Divorce in State and Church, 3 Mich. L. Rev. 541 (1905).
Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol3/iss7/2