The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-14
PLEA FOR THE FALLEN.


manner which mark the wantOn. Visit the
and you will find somebody's sisters, daughters
wives-yea, and mothers, toO-rolling in the
gilded coach of sin, on toward the palace of
destruction. Death, as fOOtman, stands behind
ready to open the door when the short unsatis-
factory journey shall have been ended and then
at last, weary, stricken heart ceases it's throb-
bing, and the grave closes over life which
might have been made beautiful and loveable had
there been more of forgiveness, of sympathy. and
of Christian charity in it's surroundings. If
there is one class above another deserving COM
miseration it is that made up of these social
lepers these sisters daughters, wives, and
mothers of somebody.
Once they were pure and of spotless reputa-
tion, some of them, perhaps, the pets of society
Doubtless they were all once loved by kindred
hearts but, alas as in the case of our first
parents so it proved with them; the tempter
entered into the Eden of their lives and they fell
never to rise again. They fell, and with the
mark of q sin upon their foreheads-ofa a sin for
which the social world knows no atonement-
were driven forth from homes and friends to
wander up and down the toilsome paths of life
seeking rest yet finding it not objects of pity,
yet scOffed at and spit upon by even the beggars
met upon the streets they walk with aching
hearts and we ary feet. Famishing, not only for
kindness, but oftentimes for food, they look in
to the future with heavy, hopeless eyes, to see
not one single ray of hope or sympathy for
them.
1t may have been the gnawings of hunger that
first led them aside from the path of virtue: but
society, the wel-fed portion of it ataeast, makes
no allowance for this weakness of tfe flesh that
prompts people to sin rather than die of starya-
tion in a land of plenty. Surely-surely these
pariahs of our social system, whatever the cause
of their falling made to do bitter penance for
their violation Of the Divine and moral law; and,
although they repent in sack-cloth and ashes, yet
there is no release from the bondage in which one
false step places them. In all the world there are
few who will say to them, like One of old, $50
and sin more" but there are multitudes
ready to "cast the first stone" For them there
is no remission of sin. The stain is upon them:
they are accurst, and the Christian matron and
vlrtuous Christian maid as they pass one of
these, their poor fallen sisters draw their garments
more closely about them lest her touch prove
to their purity. Little care they
that beneath the gaudy dress or faded frock there
throbs human heart yearning for sympathy.
for one kind word eyen-ittle care they for they
are pure; they never sinned they have no need
for Saviour Let the Master Judge! Thus it
is with the victim, and the victor over her rides
in his coach, mayhap, and ioyously mingles in
the society where Christian men and women meet
as the peer in social position of the best of
them. The matron who so scornfully passes
his victim on the street invites him to her
home; the maiden permits his company and
while her parents, (good churchly
people, as the world goes approve her course:
and all Of them well know his history We fire.
Iuently hear it suggested of such one ooh, he
was only sowing his wild oats" But stop. friends.
and think of it. Sowing his wild oats?" What,
then shall the harvest be when the souls OF his
victims rise up in judgment against him? That
the evil alluded to is widespread all will admit
That its growth should be checked, if not alto
yether eradicated, none will deny; but how may
this desirable object be accomplished? We have
societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals
and Children We have societies for the prevention
Of vice; but they either have application to- or
Else fall short of what is needed so far as regards
IDe CLASS untieT cOnSlucTaUlOu W ny not organ
ze an association, having for its object the incul-
,ation of the eOmmOnest principles of humanity
IF even-handed justice to woman as well as man
of Christian charity? If the recognized leaders
Of society in its different grades would so band
themselves together and would treat with but one
1alf the contempt and loathing they lavish upon
heir poor wrecked sisters those who sought and
wrought their ruin-if they would but give such
% understand that sOciety's doors would be closed
against them as well as their victims, they would
)ring to bear a most powerful engine to aid IN
the great evil preying upon our race
md sapping the very foundations of our boasted
civilization. Men love themselves too well to
hoose to be poorly thought of. Call it selfre-
pect or what you will; there is feeling in each
mans nature which causes him to dread social
fear the loss of the good opinion
nd regard of the circle in which he moves, more
han loss of fortune, and some even fear 1t more
han they do death itself
Then let the social laws be reconstructed upon
he basis of morality, and apply the gauge OF VII
ue to both man and woman. wherever VICE
ppears let it be discountenanced promptly, posi-
lively, persistently. Be just to all, but at the
anne time be merciful, charitable, and torglVlng.
that while some are strong and capa-
lie of successfully resisting temptation, there are
et many others who are weak and who OF nee
c;tyy uiol 10 fbo a1lurpmpDtS