The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-09-23

NEW SOCIAL EVIL. Viewed in it's
proper light. the method pursued to-
ward the ''social evil" in Washington by
the sensationalists who have taken the
matter In hand, is most remarkable, and
III tne least degree creditable. The re-.
medy Is, IN fact, about as hnd az the evil.
Inc business began by seeking out the
den'1-anondel IN their homes and inquiring
as to their visitors. The ladies engaged
in the enterprise seem to have credulone-
~ believed all that was said to them and
to their surprise thoy found the soiled
doves only too ready to forsako their
evil ways. They ascertained, also, the
names Of many who frequented these
houses, and out of this knowledge thew
proceeded to make capital. They have
not exnctly resorted to 'black. mail. (" in
emulation OF tactics heretofore EMPLOYED
oy the women they attempt to reform,
nue they have approached very closely
10 IL, and one case is cited where money
was sought from young man, and on
his refusal, ''vieit" was made to hie
widowed mother.
The Chronicle, one OF whose editors is
very deeply engaged in this social move
ment. denies that black mail has been
levied, but, after remarking that "the
ladies' OF the club are in possession of
faots OF the most startling character con.
cerning men OF prominence in business
and protensions to piety," saws sit has
been suggested that this knowledge
might be used to quicken the beneyo
lonce of such individuals" In which
case. it observes, that "these gentlemen
would receive very little sympathy ;.
Subscribe or be exposed is the word
The mine is too rich not to be worked,
and the Washington deni.monde will vet
be used as the means of q new lew on
the fears OF those who may now be called
their victims" It was q shrew plan.
indeed, to elicit bagnio secrets under the
mask OF sympothy and aid, and then
make all this hubbub before the public Z
Inc public meetings, says tho New
York Commercial Adceriiser, are in fact
the worst and most brazen feature of the
SHOW" They are 80 bare- faced aud
Dold that ono can but admire the hardi-
hood which encourages them. The
th1ng, indeed, is too good to be confined
to Washington. The exhibition of last
sunday or that of Tuesday evening
ought to travel" It would draw i'm
mensely in the large Cities On Sunday
q lot OF bedizened harridans, on the way
10 a new life, were pnraded in Wash
10 StaoiSbs duO WutT6 LneY were
used AS lawful examples to point the
moral Of sermon. On Tuesday they
were collected in public m Meeting. Ac-
cordlng to the papers, it was motley
show. "Alothers in Israel" .'maidens
Of beautiful lives" ..ieepers OF
bagnios." ''soiled doves" ..preachers
and proaigates," gamblers aud liber-
tines. "pions young men," ''babes in
arms, and here and there ''colored
Individual, were grouped together to
behold "a fallen and severely-stricke
alsterhood imploring for mercy and
help"
And this is the entertainment pro.
vided for Washington during the season
OF paralysis, when Congress is not in
session, and the departments are quiet.
Such an opportunity to make notoriety
mas not been had since the dear, delight
fui days Of the Paris Commune, and
now, as then, extremes meet and fuse.
There is way to promote real reform
among these objects OF sympathy, but it
is not by the doubtful meth DDS adopted
in Washington. They are sure to fail
OF their object and to cover their pro-
!octors with ridicule, If not with infamy.
Men and women engaged in an enter
prise OF real reform, do not, MS the Phi
ladelphia Post says, ''drag the unfortu-
mates under their care before the public.
nor do they haunt their own names be-.
lore the people rs working for the cause
of virtue.