New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-20
FREE LOVE ONCE MOEE
A LAST WORD FROM MRS. PAULINA WRIGHT
DAVIS.

A LAST WORD FROM MRS. PAULINA WRIGHT
DAVIS.
TO the Edftor Of Thc TribWpe.
SIR: The article entitled "Ihe Anarchy Of
Free Love-" has only this moment reached me. hasten
20 reply while my Indignation ut your sOphiy and ia
Justice is at the boiling point for have nc special de
light in dwelling disagr'cable subjects, and this is
one from which would most gladly turn away. Allow
me- however, TO thank you for the high personal estimate
Of myself which you have so frequently expressed.
could be fatrred by much appreciation II il did not
imply that am better than my sisters and that through
my sheltered shielded liic am ignorant OF what tie
world H. and OF what it needs For once, friend Of
oden times LEI LOOK tho question Of free Love fairly
I'm the face.
FOR ourselves II may be Of consequence but upon
your opinions thousands who DO not think themselves
wait and accept your word authority II Is, there
fore Of the utmost Importance that that word should be
true 10 the highest standard OF truth and purity. But
there "a an equal, perhaps larger number, who de-
mandRg change who desire lives Of peace and purity,
and look with eager hOpefuncss for better future.
am aware that you have held many arguments with
Of wide culture and reputation, but their stand point
was not that of woman, and hence, while have read
have often said, How these men darken counselsi how
one-sded narrow aud false their ideas of the rea-
ton of the such special pleading however in
genous perverted will ultimately fail to sustain these
positions before the great court OF tho worlds expert
must be permitted to say that am shocked with the
apparent Indifference with which you TO trae with
the public conscience when In the article before
you charge all the ouragcs and murders Of the times
Gree Love-" which. as every pure common-sense per
SON. with a moderate knowledge OF phlology knows,
means pure sentiment. In my limited knowledge of
controversial, theological disputes, even have mem
DRY of such oruous reasoning and such perverted and
false application Of facts in this article entitled The
Anarchy OF Free Love"
In the very para graph you say Free Love has
yotaries to speak Of and then charge to 1t the most
ribe catalogue of crimes which this age of crimes has
known VIII you, Sir tell definitely what you mean
by Free Love 2" You persisteDy declare every woman
who claims the right t. her person Free Lover,
and then nsnuate definition from which they rocol
with alright II Free Love is what you claim 1t to be-
then am with you heartily in opposition to 1t but If it
Is not then is you who are convicted Of mludgent,
OF evadng the issue, and doing battle with
ton OF your Imagination. Let us define the phrase
"Free Love" What are the terrOrs In the adjective
Erect" One would think that in It there hidden
sting when 1t chances to come before either the word
Trade or Love you seem to feel shock through your
whole nature and there is every indication that you
would like them all botted from vocabulary Love,
find defined sentiment founded upon esteem az
miration respect, aud affection. This definition pre-
supposes freedom TO exercise these feelings
am disposed to doubt If it be the province OF
write about love at ALL for in these degenerate times
they entirely TO have lost sight Of its truth.
swedcnborg says woman represents love- and man. wis
dom; and st. Paul says, although have the gift OF
prophecy aud understand all mysteries and all knowl-
edge, and though have all faith that could remove
mountains, and have charity H. e. love am moth
ing" 81. Paul comprehended that love guiding
power in the world but you Sir seem TO suppose that 1t
must have laws made TO govern and control 1t while its
design is TO make laws TO govern the world. /
wish to adopt the term Free Love-" and avow my
thorough belief in the doctrine high .and holy and
hur back all the foul charges against H. which are made
ny the ignorant the corrupt ana the Impure, from the
Now, by what right human divine, do Won assa me
az uph9ldng false dOcnosl You charge the tragedy In
Newark TO Free Love. Ircpndiac the charge The man
Hasted was "a civilized debauchee one OF vast army OF
men in al oar cities who IL the great writers OF the
are 70 De believed, are created under the very laws
WHICH your teachings conserve. NOW, what the pure
minded women Of the country demand h that this army
be dsbanded and sent TO homes OF free love and purity
II IN our vast cities alone there are 100000 prostitutes,
as estimated there are and II that vast number o.
women are supported by army OF men six times az
great what does pOyel' Simply that your lave are
failure tat men do not for them, and that wOmeE,
abandoned.
The of Foster IL another which You cite against
'Free Love-" in the breath declaring that II was
ms unDrdled Passions that caused the murder. why,
thel, inpute THIS murder 10 Free Lover H. IL not
te mat you should divorce the lustfl ioul ana brutal
passions OF men from the divine sentiment OF love, ana
In your teachings aid in Hitting humanity UP out OF this
slough OF falreness and pOllutiOnl
Mrs sherman is another instance cited do not find
that this pale Connecticut matrOn was a Woman
snnragst, much more Free Lover As read her life,
generations Of lust last eumlnate 10y their fear
tu crimes shock the world for day, but without rous
ing II % investigate tine OF such an organization
IL would he well n by the Iid light evolved by these
crimes some close invesligatons shOnld be- made.
Ihe n7llihiloh Oh mhIiidge h under gong searching
trial" Gai aware that our idoae q marriage uc DIS