18C4.] 319 [Price. 



rality of any population, when you have ascertained that of the 

 women; and one cannot contemplate American society without admi- 

 ration for the respect which there encircles the tie of marriage. The 

 same sentiment existed to a like degree among no nations of anti- 

 quity; and the existing societies of Europe, in their corruption, have 

 not even a conception of such purity of morals." (J)e Beaumont.) 

 "The marriage tie is more sacred among American workmen than 

 among the middle classes of various countries of Europe." (Che- 

 vallier.) " One of the first peculiarities that must strike a foreigner 

 in the United States, is the deference paid universally to the sex, 

 without regard to rank or station." (Lyell.) 



Moral and religious influences have been dwelt upon as the sources 

 of the welfare of the family, and through the family, of society. 

 What, then, has or can the law do for the same object? It has done 

 much, and may do more; yet the main reliance must ever be upon 

 moral and religious influences that have their operation in the suscep- 

 tibilities of the human heart. Volumes of law have been written on 

 the domestic relations, defining the rights and duties of husband and 

 wife, parent and child, guardian and ward, and master and servant. 

 These are well and wisely written, yet have regard chiefly to property 

 and government; but law cannot reach to enforce the moral and re- 

 ligious sentiments from which spring the highest culture and truest 

 civilization. 



The law has done much less than it might do, because public opi- 

 nion, that springs from culture and civilization, has not sufiiciently 

 advanced to enact and maintain the laws needed for human reform. 

 It is owing to this, that we have not laws adequately restrictive of in- 

 temperance, and do not enforce laws that exist against gambling and 

 other vices. 



The ancient and existing statutes against vagrancy are the law's 

 assertion of the duty of every one to be a member of a family of 

 fixed locality, and it provides a public habitation for all that have no 

 home, — the Prison, Almshouse, or Refuge. 



Law, public opinion, and the habits of our people, have been most 

 beneficially operative in building our City of Philadelphia in an adap- 

 tation to the separate residence of each family, and consequently most 

 favorably for the best family influences. Here is provided one house 

 for nearly every family, and of a size and expense convenient for 

 almost every family. When we consider that each house now built, 

 of whatever size, generally has all the conveniences for fire, gas, 

 water, and baths, and that in each may live a family upon the 



