The daily gazette., 1874-08-27
THE MIsoIilEF OF FREE LOVE DOC.
TRlNES.
From the Boston dlote.

From the Boston dlote,
There Is one great lesson of the BROOKLYN
scandal which ought not to pass unbeaded,
and that Is the unalloyed and unmitigated
mischlevousness of what are called ".ree-love
| doctrines" Their effects have been shown
| mp in light which reveals no redeeming
quality in them, aud strongly confirms the
| idea that sexual purity is the very central
virtue OF all. Without il there seems to re-
main In the soui little moral scrnple OF any
kind; fidelity and truthihless of every sort
appear to depart when deprived OF the
purifying ana exalting companionship Of
chestily. IL is no doubt beneficent arrange
mcnt which gives this exalting quality such
| u predominauce over the moral nature by
making Its want 50 disastrous, for thereby
Il great cons lrvahvc influence is brought to
bear to preserve tue sacred relations Of the
family and the manifold sanctities OF home.
Tho inevitable wretcheGucss and misery,
the appalling moral ruin and death, which
ordinarily follow u lapse from sexual virtue
which involving many sad lardShiIs and
much seeming Unjust iee,aIe no doubt just
r1,ribution for casting of the restraints
which guard so much that is precious. and
the only penalty horrible enough to deter
human nature from giving rein TO passions
which. without bride, will overwhelIa
so.ial life with degradation aud ruin, but
which, In their restrained and legitimate
operation, serve the most beneficent ends,
and give zest aud fcrvor to the highest seu-
tlmentS.
1t IS but lately that u systematic attempt
has been made to "reiorm society by de
sroyng the moral restrictions placed about
the marriage relation, and to give rcspecta-
bility to theories aud practices which the
hest sentiment in all civilized times has con-
demned. certain degree of plausibility
has Len given to the arguments put forth In
support OF this so called "Sociul reform"
based on the frequent uuhappiness in do
nestle life 1t is true that human nature il
beset with the faults and fliIings, that many
mistakes are made and much wretchedness
is thu consequence; but this lis Il reason why
all good men should labor earnestly TO reform
human nature, aud not break down all bar
llers ana let it run liot at the bidding OF its
worst impulses. Men and women ought TO
understand themselves aud each other bet
ter, and to assume marital relations with
each other with their eyes open and full
understanding oil what they are dong. The
notion that love Is blind should be set aside
with the other myths Of heathcn fable
Nothing should be more alert and quick
sighted, and nothing needs SO much } be en-
h2htened aud TO be regardiui of consequences
uc doetiiiC tHit duu ltS RESTRAINTS
are unnatural Is not new; 1t has been fay
oiite theory with those who have chaled
against all moral banners since the dawn OF
Clgi'I2it,oD, aud its revival III these DAYS,
when all theories are freely entertained and
discussed, N not TO he wondered at; but new
er have II &c who have had the cearcst ia
sight INTO i.nnIin character aud destiny Civ
en- them cuunienance. 1t is the unscrupu-
lous, tie thoughtless and defiant who liaye
appeared as Their advocates.
The present Instance is no exception The
apostles oi this gospel have teen revealed AS
MALICIOUS slLDdGreIs, unPIiucIpltd black
inailefS, diatulbel ut domestic: peace and
happiness, and repud'atJIs Of every moral
obi9aiion or demand. Tie deploiaulc re-
suits OF thelr ieAchinrs have been shown in
Llohen mad di-honoltd families severed
lii-bd-hip3, ruined enterprises, and a gener.
al wreck "l tbs bnghtest hopes and prospect.
Not ohe ray ii 80 nj appears IN tho general
blachness Of their designs aud achievements.
Mr. Illton'a lnchlessness appears to have
sprung from this wreiched influence 1hle
is evidence that Nj. Btechtr, in some OF lns
eEef'VLfylug moods, has given ear to the
plausible pleadingS OF the siIel, and seen in
r' 'i'1l realization OF the promises of Its
~ out OF the manifold miseries of
;,H.,at.t ME, He seems 10 have at some
t4'." let slip utteranees which have been
Construed as fayorlng some ol the Sc doctrines
'h.iheir ideal objects, however much he may
r"ndcinn them as the basis OF conduct at the
present time. on no other ground ran We
understand the position oi some o. his own
ltiniiy aud the hold that certain iiee-lovers
thought they had upon HIM Ii this be SO,
he has occasion now to recall sulemtl ques-
uoning Of scripture :-"Cln mun touch
Ditch and uDt IA tiip1Di
IN. iIan1,..t.at il. ~ - ft,,..,,, =, -, i,