The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-09-15
PLAIN TALK.

Virtue VS.. Vice.-In whatever form vice
may appear, it has a just claim to a rightful
parentage in some cause; and in many forms
of vice, that cause is found among the monu-
ments of virtue. To great extent vice is pro-
teeted by virtue, and the vicious supported by
the virtuous. There is vice known to the
world, upon which the guileIess look with min
gled feelings of pity, adherence and contempt.
This form of vice has attained a magnitude
and enormity in this place, that causes the
name of our city to be dragged with disgrace
full associations wherever spoken. For years
the subject has been upon the lips of our citi-
zsns, and many bitter words spoken, but eff
fective measures have been untried, and every
year the number of abandoned women has in
creased. We ask why does TINS condition of
society exist2 and are answered, because the
law is not enforced. Now, this is without
doubt reason, but in the light of our first
proposition, it is not the chief reason. This
form of vice neUer exists unless supported. The
great number of vicious women that remain in
our city, do so because they are supported
here, and supported, too, by individuals
whose intimate associates are among the high
est responsibility of socity. And in this ana
lysis is made apparent the warped condition
and inconsistent state of sentiment and action
of that highly respectable portion of society.
Far be it from Us to lessen one degree the
intensity of the vice of which these
courtezans are guilty, or shield them in the
least from the seVerest condemnation or most
exacting penalties, but let their associates in
vice, their protectors and supporter, the az
probrium of society. Men wearing the guise
Of respectability are frequent visitors of disre-
putable houses, and large contributors to those
who rob them. They conceal their acts and
disgraeeful practices so skiIlfully that they are
not altogether known, but whether known or
not, society claims them as cherished members
and seals them as paragons of virtue and acod.
ness. In reality they are the criminals, and
those they ruin the unfortunate victims. The
verdict of society upon the men is anaughtv.
but after all gOod"-upon these women, "dis-
graced outcasts." There is a way by which
a most dreaded relationship might be estab-
lished between many guileless persons and
these disgrsced outcasts. The man is the in
innate associate of the disgraced woman, and
also the intimate friend of the guileless per-
son. Now there is an axiom which declares
things equal to the same thing to be equal to
each other, and as each clans equal friend
ship from the man, are not their claims upon
each others friendship mutual and establish
ed? This theory would never be accepted,
however, by more than one party, yet, if its
result were accepted, the lecherous man would
be obliged to purify his ways or be banished
as his victim is from society.
Create and put in force a condition of things
that shall visit exposure and force disgrace up
on the men of of our city, who visit and sup
port the disreputable houses here, and see how
long abandoned women will parsde our streets.
There is no probability, however, that this will
be done, and the action already commenced,
aiming the law direct at the disreputable wo-
men, should be continued until their presence
will no longer be known in our city.
We do not believe the time has come when
NlELuS SuOuAu NC bA6 CouQu6ISu anu vice Ln6
victor. to the extent that respectable men, wo-
men or children should be prevented from ap-
pearing in public places for fear of mortifca-
tion or insult, or made subjects of criminal ac-
cusations if seen beyond certain limits in the
city. Mothers have duty to perform, it
is true, in properly guarding their children.
Fathers have an equal duty in guarding ttsm-
seyUes. The authorities have a duty in pro-
tecting the public by suppresslng, not compro-
missing the vice. The theory that this form of
vice can exist in a community, that corruption
decked in costly attire, can Aaunt in public
places, without pernicious effects to others than
associates, is as dangerous as untrue. We need
not search beyond the history of vice in our
own city to find records that will attest the
truth of this, and the end is not yet, unless
the vice is wiped out. The tongue of scandal
will be supplied with morsels from unlocked
for sources, and disgraces will follow each 9TH
er. 1t can not be otherwise where society is
breathing an atmosphere SO impregnated with
immortality and corruption. Proceedings have
been instituted against this vice, and we hope
they viii not close until the:monster has been
driven out.