Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1917 — WILL EUROPE LEGALIZE POLYGAMY? [ARTICLE]

WILL EUROPE LEGALIZE POLYGAMY?

The enormous slaughter of men has started the, sociologists to debating -the question of whether or not, at the Hose of hostilities, Europe w'll be forced to legalize polygamy, or resort to some other such expedient to provide hiates for its millions of unmarried women. Although not generally known, precisely such a condition was faced in Europe at the end of the thirty years war, and it was met by legalizing polygamy until a relative balance of. the sexes was again established, when the laws , were repealed. It is * estimated that should the war Continue for two years longer there will be in the countries involved not less than twelve million females in excess of males. Hence it cab be plainly seen that the problem confronting those countries is serious indeed. Europe, aside from the purely material' losses which she is sustaining, and which are almost beyond conception or computation, Is facing a certain and serious check to . civilization. Possibly no other condition would so retard the march Of progress as a return,

either by choice or necessity, to this' degrading practice. ' The twentieth century mind revolts at the idea of polygamy. Not only is this true of Americans, but of Europeans as well. This .being true, what effect w’ould it have upon the people/ should such a practice be revived? ' To a race familiar with and accustomed to the practice it may appear justifiable and right. But to a people who for centuries have been taught to regard it as contrary to the laws of nature the effect is certain to be demoralizing to character. Even those who would be Constrained to practice polygamy by force of their previous training would be compelled td regard themselves as living in adultery. How truly should every American thank his God that our land has been spared the horrors that face our cousins across the water, and I how firmly each should determine' that, come what may, we will never be dragged into that conflict and participatein that slaughter except in actual defense of our own shores. /'■- / America today is the white hope of civilization. The destiny of the race lies in the American hand to shape it at will. That we may be true tq our highest ideals is the earnest prayer of every intelligent soul within our borders. Polygamy could never even be considered in this country.