Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-06-12
lComrnuuicated ]



EDrroR LEADER;-Do you not think it is to
be regretted that among all the Benevolent and
Educational Institutions Of this city, there ex-
lists not one for the reformation of outcast fe-
males Is it not very painful to read the records
of arrest and imprisonment of these unfOrtu-
nate and erring ones, and know that immediate-
ly upon their liberation they will have to recur
again TO the same dreary round of sin ard sor-
row and shame l-.They will hare to recur"-I
say; and it is bitterly true. For the tenacious
grasp on life is as strong within them as within
Us; and if we will but strip the matter Of
It's sOphistry, shall We not find it as sacred tool
l will not stop to trace out and analyze the
eGasss of their deep misery and disgrace, though
something pertinent might be said on that score,
also. Let US accept the matter as It stands, for
an argument. We say-and rightly-that their
modes of life are pestiferOus evil Their Esodes
OF life, remember, rather than themssires; for
who will take it on himselfto declare them one
and inseparablei Are not the gates Of regeners-
ton open TO them, alsol And has society no du-
ties to perform toward them, save those of scorn
and punishment Do we adOptthe true method
of fextinguishing the iniquityi Will branding a
criminal east out his eiminalilyi It is better 10
starve than 10 do wrong: better to perish utter
ly from the earth than taint its beauty with pes
thence; but if T. is so hand for the oftiest na-
lures to learn, ., unspeakably harder must it
not be for those whose whole existence is a con-
tinuous scene of retrbutive suffering. This ar
bitrary severance of humanity into classes Of
innocence and crime-these ysvning ehasms
and impossible gulfs-shall the first be never
obliterated: shall the latter never be bridged
acrossl Are there, in your beautiful city Of
Cleveland, no true brothers and heroic sisters
who will take these poor daughters Of wretch
edness by the hand, leading them into other
pathsi VIII these fostering ulcers Of poPulous
communities heal themselyesi Are there no ten
der hands whose slight touch is very purity o,
If only the avenues 10 worthiness and true life
were thrown open, how many would gladly east
of the garments of their shame, and walk
meekly and reverently forth.
From one Institution alone (the Five Points
House of Industry in New York City there is
sues annually an army Of five hundred such re-
claimed ones, carrying the blessed influences Of
their regeneration into all the homes they enter
Why may not a similar institution be organized
here The annual expense of 100 benefeis-
ries would be absolutely less than the yearly
cost OF the maintenance of an equal number Of
prisoners and who shall estimate lis higher
benefits, or tell where they would end
+ am only a stranger in your city i know
nothing Of your municipal organization; moth
ing Of your ordinances and laws. But, stand
ing yesterday at the door of my Hotel, saw
several of these poor creatures (aIl Of them.
should Judge, under 20 years Of age) pass BY
in charge Of policeman; and could not sup
press a shudder as witnessed his contemptuons
insolence Of .c1rriage towards them, and their
preeoeious hariihood and abject shame.
think the matter is at least worthy Of one
systematic effort in another direction Your
citizens are public spirited they have erected
many handsome edi6cesi established many