Page:The Woman Socialist - Snowden - 1907.djvu/77

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Sex
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nor of their motive in desiring to unite. A decrepit old man just tottering into his grave and a blooming girl of nineteen have the Church's blessing on their union if will only appear before the altar.

Under Socialism the marriage service will probably be a simple declaration on the part of the contracting parties before the Civil representatives of the State. It will be held binding except with the consent of the community to its dissolution. There will be no special command of obedience from one to the other. A sacred charge to love one another, to be mutually helpful, trustful, and forbearing, to bring up their children with discretion and to have the State in high regard will constitute the communal blessing upon its unions between men and women. Free as the wind, the Socialist wife will be bound only by her natural love for husband and children. But such limitation, small at the worst, will be nothing but a joy, for it will spring out of respect and esteem, the surest foundations for a lasting love.

Recognising the sanctity of their unions in marriage, Socialists will, nevertheless, seek to remove some of the ridiculous