National Republican., 1876-05-18
THE SOCIAL EVIL

A Committee Organized for the Prevention Of
Its LegalIzation-The Licensing Of the Social
Evil.
A meeting ofmen to hear addresses from Mr.. n.
]. Wilson and Rev. J. P. Gladstone, Of England,
upon this subject was held in the lecture-room Of
New YOrk-ayenue church on Monday evening.
Rev. G. T. Little, pastor of the Assembly Pres
byterian church, presided. Mr.. Gladstone called
attention to the repeated and persistent attempts
made to elevate a great evil and q dark sin into
an American legal institution, and at the same
time pointing out the misleading titles which are
given TO all bills aiming at this object. He
showed that these bills were always presented
under the gufse of moral and sanitary reform,
whereas they would in reslity foster and encour-
age immortality If once they were adopted and
enforced as law. He maintained that no system
of regulation could be framed which did not vio-
SSe country In the position Of confederate with
wrong-doers. The domain of morals was also In
vaded by the temptations which the regulation
system presents to men and youths to cast OF the
useful restraints Of virtuous principles. The
effects of the system were shown to be perniciOus
are an % induced 10 sim the latter. where they have
gone astray, can hardly be reclaimed by the low
ing efforts of Christian philanthropists. The in
nouneed to be bad, because contempt is thrown
upon married life, and home becomes slighted
h ba bIi e sPeak9r Pe me- ,bery Of tbe sSbiect
unjust to women and oppressive to the poor, and
therefore alien TO the constitution of free
people. ,-,,- +,
all countries where Il has been tried In Paris
The doctors are disappointed and annoyed at the
spread of disease which the licensing and regu-
lating of the social evil instituted for the pur-
pose of removing, while the police declare their
inability to supervise more than tenth Of those
women who lead a life of shame. The different
sets of officials are blaming each other for the
failure, when in fact they are set to administer
vcfp W
succeed. The fault is radical and inherent. An
earnestappeal was made for America to give Eng
land, which has led the way in assailing this de-
mOralizing legislation, her countenance and sup
port. America has danger at her own door, and
her truest safeguard will be to give active aid to
those friends who are fighting for purity in those
old European countries where It has been so long
eOntemned and suppressed.
Mr.. H. J. Wilson, the other delegate from Eng
land criticised that part of the fourth annual re-
port of the Board of Health of the District of Co
lumbia, 1875, which advocates the adoption of the
legaliZing of prostitution, and especially con-
demned the words of DR.. Gross, quoted therein, as
untrue and misleading His positions were es-
tablished by quotations from English and CONT;
to bill No. 2i40 in the House of Representatives,
by which the European plan might be worked in
the District of Columbia.
The sympathy of the audience with the moral
arguments advanced was often manifested in
hearty applause and at the close Of the addresses
that the bill referred to mo. 24+O) would not be
allowed to pass the House in its present objec-
U0naDle form.
A committee was then nominated as o branch
committee of the British, Continental and Gen.
eral Federation for the abolition Of Government
prostitution.
Fifteen members of the committee met in the
Assembly Presbyterian church yesterday after
noon, viz. Revs. DR.. Gray, DR.. Rankin DR.. Lit
tie, Dr. Black and and Dr. Fay; also Messrs. w.
b. Ballantyne A. e. WinslOw, Charles Lyman
and DR.. McKfm; Mrs. DIR. Winslow, Mrs. Johns,
Mrs. Senator Sargent, Mrs. LIE Fetre and Mrs.
Judge Smell. The committee elected Mrs. DR.,
Winslow president; MIR. Charles Lyman, secre-
tary, and w. b. Ballantyne treasurer.
This is the first committee formed in this coun-
try in connection with the European Federation.
Others will be established in most all of the large
cities of the States, and their work will be TO
thwart all attempts to legalize prostitution in
this country, and support the European revolt
against white slavery.
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Gladstone 20 to Baltimore
to-day to meet conference there; they will then
proceed TO Philadelphia and 10 other cities. 1t is
not improbable that they will return to this city
in two or three weeks to address another meeting
here.