Speech #540024093

There are many provisions of the marriage laws of these countries which are directory only. and it makes no difference in the validity of the marriage whether they are observed or not. but the foregoing are fundamental and are absolutely requisite to the making of a valid marriage and one which will be recognized by the laws of these countries. whatever ceremony may have been performed. and however legal it might have been in the country where performed. So true is this that a marriage ceremony might be performed in the United States by an archbishop or cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. one which would be recognized as valid by the Pope of Rome. and yet it would be void. or at least voidable. when contested in the courts of either of the countries mentioned and possibly of others. To such extent is this true that a cause cf1dbra in gllinoi may be cited in illustration: A man born in Germanyattained about his majority owing military duty. emigrated to linois. He settled there. bought a farm. married a wife. reared a family of children. and lived there for twentydyve years. growing quite well off. and having considerable lauded property. At the end of twentyive years he returned to Germany. there became enamored of a woman. and sought her in marriage.