The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-11-01
THE DEMORALIZlNG INFLUENCE OF
THE CENTURY.

THE DEMORALIZING INFLUENCE OF
THE CENTURY.
There was time when men respected
women, and gentleman used to he able to
recognize the qualities that manifested pure
womanhood and permit the license of de-
grading persifage to remain quiescent
while in her presence.
Men used to have sufficient intuitive
judgment to weigh the difference between
the self-reliant manners of an honest wo-
man and the challenging imprudence of
female making business Of her attrac-
tons.
Men used to speak of woman as if they
had faith in the signification of the word
which has become burlesque upon the
tongue Of the rising eneration--vrtue-
and they conducted themselves towards
other mems wives and sisters as if they be-
leved in the possibility of the purity of
Of their own. And to slur the mother who
gave them being was the fouest insult man
could heap upon man.
The moral degcneracy of our time could
have no more lamentable proof OF its pitt
full state than the thoughtless jest of some
what fast" but eminently high toned"
young man. Of this city, who, the other
day, in presenting his father to number of
friends, lightly remarked;
This is my father, gentlemcn-at least |
am 50 assured by my mother-but entire
mous, it's wise son who knows the author
Of his existence these days
This "ioEe" on paternal pedigree found
not one dissenting voice; in fact, instead of
producing rebuke il was accepted as most
amusing and wel-umed hit OF wit, andnone
appeared to enjoy it more than the father
| himself.
Who is responsible tor this stigma upon
our sex--manl-as a naturally libidinous
and demoralizipg ANIMAL
No. Justice will find a candid and truth
full answer in the following facts:
The time has been when women, young
or old, would blush when rudely stared at.
She would consider it most daring piece
| OF impertinence to be accosted in the street,
and if some bold creature had the tipsy au-
| dacity to wink at her, she would have felt
as if she were culpable, or had in some
measure been guilty of bringing it upon
| herself by thOughtless act or seeming i'm
propriety. So our mothers and grandmoth-
| ers tell US.
But such is not the case to-day. Women
| not only permit men TO stare at and loudly
| comment upon them, but even 10 coyet
such attention, and instead of hiding their
insuted womanhood when impudent pup.
pies follow and annoy them, they boast Of
it as if it were crcditable conquest to be so
much admired(0.
Women make street lcqualntances, and
accept favors from such strangers; call it
delicious clark to deyour in their company
a Jolly supper" at their expense They
take long drives and tolerate famllaritics
that hinge upon the disreputable, simply
for little fun"
4 kiss was once the hottest reward of
betrothed love, and a man would no more
presume to embrace girl before he be-
came an accepted lover than he would
think of assultng his future wife. Now,
the first thing gentleman expects from
young lady is a kiss. And he generally
receives it, Mothers consider it correct
and perfectly harmless, if the gentleman is
only "eligible" little accorded freedom
may enhance the daughters prospects, and,
plausible comfort hasten a proposal
Flirting and husband skirmishing is the
demoraliaing influence of our time And
as long as women will indulge in it, and
from the little girl in "pinafores" to the
passe matron the Irritation fever RACES; and
as long as eyes glow with gratfed vanity,
and actions denote appreciation and encour-
agement when some designing fellow plays
upon her weakness by signs and tokens, "
so long will men doubt the purity of We.
man and fail to honor its existence, even in
his mother.
Is there any question as to where the re.
form ought to begin Emily r, Steucstcl
in Sunday Mercury.