New-York daily tribune., 1846-01-14
Licen,iou,nes, Encouraged.

Two recent trials in our City-those OF virgil
Knapp and A. 3. Ideson-have given our citizens
some fresh revelations Of tie horrors which Lioer-
tinism is ever enacting in our City, and, aias IN
every community. In each of these cases me re-
pu,aton, prospect OF usefulness and chances OF hap
piness of young and innocent girl have been
blasted by the iendish arts Of the seducer In that
OF Knapp, the vic,i-n was brought 10 an untlrely
death of agony and despair b. practices intended 10
hide her shame, yet her seducer and destroyer Is
cleared by the verdict off Jary Ia the case OF lde
son, mere child reared in ignorance, wretchedness
and without maternal counsel, falls victim 10 the
long-plied arts and frauds OF husband and father
who ases every diabolic device 10 compass her de-
sructon, and al last drags her TO den OF prosutu-
ton and for this child, thus wronged and bhghted
beyond hope, what redress does The Lat7 afford =
What penalty does il denounce against the lecher-
Gus villain who has devoted months and perverted
The powers Of master over servant IN bis own
household to effect her destruction None-none
The Law is made by men, and generally by cen-
tious corrupt men who sneera at chastity and deride
the commands OF God Living themselves in viola
ton OF the laws of purity and moral rectitude they
will not enact laws punish Seduction and kindred
crimes because they fear that the penalties SO en-
acted would be visited on themselves. Our Ma
tional and State Capitals are usually preeminent
for Llcenuousness, especially while Legislation IS
being carried on therein When Congress IS about
10 assemble troops OF harlots are seen heading to.
ward Washington from all quarters, followed, alas !
by hundreds who, as yet uncorrupted, are destined
to be contaminated by the vicious atmosphere of the
Nouv vfpe cOs
not distant day. There is no European capital
more grossly depraved in this respect than our own
and our State capitals not far behind It We
have therefore begun to despair OF seeing any laws
enacted in own State TO punish the crimes OF the
Libertne. He is shielded from any other penalties
than those which bis vices inevitably bring upon
him by the general licentiousness of Legislators
Tragedies daily enacted all over the land. which
demons must shudder at; and at least halt our male
youth are trained TO consider Lcenousness gallant
and many-a characteristic of shrewdness and spirit
"a claim 10 the envy OF Manhood and the smiles OF
Beauty There is no township SO small as not to
contain at least one systematic bertne, who nightly
boasts 10 his circle OF admirers and would be lmlia-
tors of the number of bis victims and recounts the
arts by which they were ensnared-while every
large town and city is sink of depravity in which
thousands live bu, TO indulge in debauchery and
multiply the tenants of that moral charnelhouse
whose inmates are hurried swiftly down from ho-
low and guilty enjoyment through misery, disease
loathsomeness, to death of inconceivable horror
From this labyrio,h of crime and woe we see no
way of escape-nonel The People choose TO have
i, perpetuated-at all events they choose Legisla
tors who arW perpetuate it There remains but to
suffer and deplore.