The Sphere of State

[shikamaru]

Continuing on a slightly different tangent:

Page 210

Such, then, being the importance of the Family to the existence and welfare of the State, the State can not too carefully guard the formation of the Family or too securely guarantee to those who form it its protecting power. The means for the founding of a Family is marriage; and while the STate should encourage marriage in every reasonable way, it should not allow a Family to be formed entirely at the option of the parties. For the public have a right and an interest in the matter as really as the parties. They should first be required to obtain the public consent in order tha tht establishment of the new Family may be duly recognized and its security and peace fully assured.

From the standpoint of the Church of Rome marriage is a sacrament, and throughout all Christendom it is usually attended by religious rites. but in the eye of the State it is simply a civil contract "evidenced in words prescribed by law, or by law counted sufficient." Marriage is the union of man and woman in the legal relation of husband and wife.