I see no evidence in what has been published on this question, of late, by statesmen, ecclesiastics, lawyers, and judges, that any of them have thought sufficiently on the subject to prepare a well-digested code, or a comprehensive amendment to the national Constitution.
Some view it as a civil contract, though not governed by the laws of other contracts; some view it as a religious ordinance--a sacrament; some think it a relation to be regulated by the State, others by the Church, and still others think it should be left wholly to the individual.

With this wide divergence of opinion among our leading minds, it is quite evident that we are not prepared for a national law.
"Moreover, as woman is the most important factor in the marriage relation, her enfranchisement is the primal step in deciding the basis of family life.

Before public opinion on this question crystallizes into an amendment to the national Constitution, the wife and mother must have a voice in the governing power and must be heard, on this great problem, in the halls of legislation.
"There are many advantages in leaving all these questions, as now, to the States.

Local self-government more readily permits of experiments on mooted questions, which are the outcome of the needs and convictions of the community.

The smaller the area over which legislation extends, the more pliable are the laws.