The herald., 1837-05-12
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger Of Nav ..


SKpucrroS.-We have more than once alluded 10
this deplorablc evil and shall continue mention il
80 often as we think any good can be effected All
admit that Is one OF the most dlrcu evils which af
fiict society, yet few disposed assign it to its
most fertile cause, the nconsiderae levity with
which il is treated by women. Generally women
consider this detestable crime no impeachment of a
mans honor or virtue, and will readily enter into
the important relation OF marriage with him as with
one whose conduct Is without reproach. When we
consider the influence Of women i'm socety-an in
huence which nature has estabshed-and which is
always greatest in the highest condition Of civza-
ton, shall perceive at that TO exermnate se-
duction is completely within their power.
In civilized countries where the rights and dignity
of women are recognised, no man will consent 10 be
an outcast from their socsty. He will therefore ex-
ercse towards them the most scrupulous good faith
fhe cannot obtain their society any other terms
II, then, they would make common cause against the
seducer, and expel him entirely from their presence
If they should regard him asone with whom the mar
rage tie was utterly unsafe, and who utterly un.
nj 10 be guardian OF woman's nights, honor or Dig
nifty If they should deny to him all those coureses
and charities which, from the hand of woman, are
among the brightest charms Of life, and should leave
hi on ms ped OF sickness, 10 the Of his own
sex; If they should do all this every seducer would
cry out like Cain, that his niquity was greater than
he could bear, and would present an example which
few Of his sex would dare to follow And all this Is
IN me power OF women Tor they exercise il daily to-
wards their own sex. 1t is no more than thew exhi-
bit, by common consent, towards the unfortunate VIC,
tim Of mans treachery. They make her an on,cas,
from her own sex, and drive her. through stern no.
cessity TO the lowest depth of dshonor II she ake
one step in tho descent they will not allow her 10 re-
turn, but persist in driving her 10 the very boop-
But what is their conduct to the traitor1 DO thew
withhold from him their appreciation or confidence
DO they visit him with the slightest censure1 On tho
contrary, they seem to triumph in his attentions
Mothers court him for their daughters and daughters
court him for themselves and they seem to glory in
his hearess and peridous devotons to them i'm pro.
portion to the number of those crimes which ought
to proc2re for him their and adherence.
We do not complain of the Judgment which wo-
men pronounce upon the dclinquences Of their own
SEX as too severe They should be keepers of their
own honor, and should act up their own standard
and doubtless the most ciicacous preventive of error
IS this rrevocable sentence of condemnation. But
we INSIST that they unjust t. themselves in con-
demning the victims Of crime and jssfyng and
courting rs perpetrators. We admit the crminality
OF women IN cases of seduction, but contend that in
the great majority of cases. the sin is more against
prudence than virtue. In man, the criminal iy Is en-
tire arNi unmxed. IL - deliberate and perpeuated
with the intent W deceive, and with full knowledge
Of rum entaed upon the victim The seducer can
never plead that he has snned against prudence His
CRIME Is always against virtue, and that alone Now
II the victim IS to be condemned, we ace nothing bnt
the most cd'ous injustice in sparng the dcsroyer-