Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-09
w.x nv HOUSES OF ILL-FAME
Ann S,AMBL1N&.

There is great deal OF human nature
in people, especially smart people. y
thief when hot pursuit is on his heels
shouts ont at the top of his voice, Stop
thief Stop thiefr' and points the pur-
suit after somebody else. In the carrier
stages of the civil war, the commonest
thing observed was. that men unsouna
on the Southern question we're the loud
est to proclaim their own patriotism
and TO denounce those who were sup
,osad 10 he untrue to the South. And,
if the trnth may be limited at, something
of the kind has been observed IN the
onool coy Let woman be caught or
exnosed in frailty, and it is said that the
other women who are the readiest to de-
nounce her are apt TO be those who are
little unsound themselves Of the like
infrmity. Sainted people think they
yindicate their own excellence by pro-
claiming exalted sentiments and de-
nouncing others who commit vice 1t is
this aort of human nature which gave oc-
casiou 10 the remark of the sturdy Eng
fish moraIist, DIR. Sam. Johnson, that
Patriotism Is the last refuge of scoun-
drels. "
While this is so, hoyever, it must be
admitted that many pure and excellent
people denounce the vices aud immoral-
ties of Others, and utter exalted sentl-
ments in regard to the conduct of their
friends and neighbors.
MORAL: Bawdy houses and gambling
houses are undoubtedly great nuisances.
If possible, men and women ought to be
restrained from frequenting such houses,
and they ought to be abated. But the
question is. can. that be done? Has it
ever been done in any large city on earth?
If so. it is not told ia Holy Writ, nor in
unholy print If they cannot be abated,
what thenl Shall no effort be made to
regulate them? Shall no effort be made
10 ameliorate their evil2 How can this
be done best? By driving them into Sc
crecy or opening them to publicity
Enabling those who visit such places 20
do so unseen and unknown, or opening
the doors and exposing all visitorsH Pub
LEFTY is a power. greater in America than
anywhere else in any civilized portion Of
the earth. 1t is one Of the chiefes'
powers which Furnishes and restraints the
ofFeuses against morals, which the erin
inal Law leaves without penalty.
lisa grave question, about which good
men may doubt and differ. There is NJ
reason why men who tiink one way shall
disparage those Of contrary opinion. o
shall set up themselves as the conserya
ions and exemplars Of osieniatious ex
eelience.
Perhaps publicity is the efficient powe
over these dens of vice. Many year
ago. in the palmy days Of the power
Thomas J. Finney, a policeman was ST
toned At tue AvAi u NhNAs N'N ~ ti-f+
houses 10 take down and report the name
of all WHO went in. OF course, shiv'
ofholy honor rushed through the bones
many people particularly Of the visi
ors) a; the unhesrd Of unparalleled, nj
endurable outrage upon the sanctiiy
the hearihs and homes Of genilene
and ladies Who we're thus disturbed
the repose Of their innocent household
and declared from the eujoymen. - y
society Of their friends The neWsPap'
press Joined in the Ouiery, and Finney
policemen had TO retire before ihe c.
raged voice Of indignant public seat
ment bounded on BY The waichmen o
the iowers Of public liberty.
Hvnsa pity that Finasy plan va