The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-02-24

NoAuOA Ol 2 lAAO1Cl
If those obstreperous danes who demand
suffrage so yehemently would stop short of
their great end, and turn their attention to
some of the more grinding needs of the sex,
there would be more advancement for wo-
man than will ever be brought about by all
the shrieking of all the siscerhood. For
instance, custom, which is as cow
ardly as Phariseeism, and as relent-
less also, prescribes that young ladies shall
not go to amusements unattended. 1t
would be a genuine relief to certain classes
of young ladies to he able to break over this
restraint. There is no reason why two re-
spectacle women shall not attend an opera,
or a fine theatrical performance that does
not apply as well to men. AS a general
thing it is easier for women to find con-
genial companions of their own sex, who ap-
preciate fine performances, and there is no
good reason why they should not join
company and escort each other to the opera,
the lecture, or the play. In fact this custom
if encouraged would purify the young men
and elevate them in mind, manner and
morals. AS it is now, the average young man
has two distinct personalities. One which
he presents to the ladies whom he meets at
stated intervals and one to the world that he
chooses TO mingle with inthe hours of what he
calls relaxation. 1t is safe to say that the
relaxation" of two-thirds OF the young men
and some of the elders too, is of such a char
acter, as would Danish them from the society
of decent people were the exact nature OF it
known. Some time ago the Sentinel in al
luding to a revolving escapade discovered in a
prominent locality in this city, indicated that
the publication of the names of those involr-
ed would bring sorrow and disgrace into
unsuspicious homes and families. That dis
gnsting episode is only one nstancei in a series.
The actors in these iniamies are, in many
cases, the men whom we entrust our daugh-
tiers with in public amusements and social
recreations. They wear a veneering of de-
cency just thick enough to deceive the I'M
suspicious, but their d~ebaucheries are the
subject of raillery and chat, among men.
1t would be a blessed thing to make young
women independent of this class. Permit
them to Iuingle sufficiently with the world
to teach the ~trouping g~allants that to be toll
Grated, they must not only play gentlemen.
they must be gentlemen. That the con-
eealing of vicious tastes and debaucied prac.
tees can not hold them in the ranks of
decency, and that there is degradation as
well as ruin, in playing the whited sepul-
chre. The scandalous laxities of morality,
minked at by what esteems itself good soci-
ETY., in this and other cities in
fact, every city IN the country, is
simpy appalling. The ministers preach
! and the lawmakers rail against the
l-ooseness ofmind and morals which engender
crime, but the proper place to bring the de-
eisive check, is in the parlor and the draw
ing-rooR1. If refined woman will cease
t0lerating Keeling figures at the evening
party, and business men will put a stop to
the visits of young men known to be STEPPED
i'm debauehery there would be an instantan-
eous check to the downward rush of man.
hood and the debssing of the growing
womanhood Refinement among men
seems to be a lost art. In all ranks and
conditions of life, the common talk OF men is
unfit at times for a clean mind. Very good
men, it is lamentable to say, indulge
this indelieaey of speech, and some
times before those from whose ears
they should guard unclean sug-
gestions of every kind. The English Lam
guage is copious enough in epithets and com.
prehensive enough in description to permit
the human family to represent every shade
of thought, without offending the ears
of decency or desecrating xhe divine
command. 1t is a simple rule to follow,
- N.a nxro ao- -
in any company which a mother, sister or
daughter might not hear with propriety and
se~lf-respect. That's a very good rule for the
guidance of any man and very easily fol
lowed The earnest women of the land are
up in arms against intemperance. They
would do a better service by beginning at
home and purifying husbands and sons of
the Generalization which is the base of every
sin that accompanies intemperance.