The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-02-24

|, tnerefore, ask the atrenucnHnnd invoke the aid of every patriot on this floor.
 Upon the purity of our literature de- bends in a vast measure the purity of our morals, the progression of our educa- tional interests. the happiness of our homes, the elevation of society and the stability of government. And shall we not have high standard ? Shall we not in the exercise of the powers now vested in us by confding and expectant con- sutuency seek to purify it-eliminate thar which IS evil and encourage that which is good:
 Shall the fountain at which our inno-- cen, children drink of knowledge be pol luted by the slime of vile minds when it IS in our power in great measure to keep it's waters pure?
 Shall we submissively view the stream which bears upon its laden bosom to our very doors its pernicious freight when it IS yet within our power to check its on- ward flow:
 Shall we quiescen,ly fold our arms and hold our peace and await unmoved the insidious growth Of this upas tree whose poisonous calculations are being inhaled by the youth of our land when 1t is vet in our power To wield against it the ax of exter,ninaiion
 Nay, sir. let our maligned and slan- dered state stand up in her majesty and prove to the world that she is not respon- sible for the birth of this tree: that it is not indigenous to her soil nor can it prosper here, even though it was trans planted by her older and more dissolute sisters.
 feel assured that the bare statement of this proposition must carry conviction to every honest mind, and that argument IS unnecessary, but trust you will in- dulge me while l endeavor to make a practical illustration.
 Would you admit semi-nude person into the presence of your wives and daughters.
 Would you suffer a vulgarian to come before them and reheaTse the disgusting events of the lowest grades of society?
 Would you permit him to enter into an elaborate and ingenious argument mi,i- gaung and even Justifying those vices which ought 10 exclude the perpetrators from the company of decent people:
 could not for moment think of in- snitlns you by even supposing the possi- biity of such thing. Ne, it cannot be denied that these things are tolerated in another form. Yea. a more guileful. a far more hur,ful form.
 The pending measure, against which there Is no constitutional objection, seeks 10 encourage pure literature by expung- Ing that which Is pernicious. and in urg- ing IS claims feel that am urging the claims of intellectual purity.
 Without purity of mind there is no pu- ri,y of action.
 Literary tastes are generally formed early iE life and with access to pure read. Ang matter alone, the mind naturally turns into healthful channels growing stronger and brighter as the sun mounts higher toward the zenith of life.
 Keep the mind of the youth vigorous aud the nation is safe. Truthfully hath the poet said:
 Vice is monster Of such frigh,ful mien
 That 10 be hated needs ba. to be seen.
 But seen too oft familiar with it's face
 We hrst endure, then pity, then embrace.
 With the growing increase of vile and seductive literature, what can we expect? Exposed to its influence virtue itself is moi safe. Indeed, sir, the ruin of many A household may be traced to the perusai of an ailuring volume or sheet when it's victim in her biushing modesty would have recoiled in horror at the personal recital of the self-same story; story. sir. which the dastardly writer would ne'er have dared to narrate in her pres- cnce.
 As the ,wig is bent the trees inciined.n
 Purify and exalt the mind and the heart IS right. Temptation is shorn of its sub- tie powers, and our children can trayerse life $ troublous path like Feronia's priests. who walked unhurt upon the burning coals.
 If we acknowledge the potency of ex- ample-which surely no rational person will deny-then let us add ours to that of the few states which have taken action upon this vital measure, thus resisting vice in the insidious disguise of obscene literature. Let us add the name of our great state to that noble roll, and thus encourage others to fellow.
 Why should we not as a nation strive 10 leave to posterity this best and most lasting heritage-a pure and exalted lit- erature!
 The inventive genius of all other civi- lized countries in the past century when compared with that of the United States are but as the gold iligree work of Za- mara beside the eternal architecture of Egypt Why should any surpass us in the equally glorious sphere of letters?
 We admire the arts of Greece, but her literature we worship. Pure, without a blot on its page to-day, it is the reflect Ing sheen of minds whose power will be felt ages and ages in the future. Mighty empires have orumbled great heroes have been covered in oblivion's dust, bu, the power of that pure literature and that retned thought gathers strength with the coming years.
 So may it be said of America.
 It is with pleasure that we record the passage of the bill in the house by large majority. It will no doubt pass the senate and become law.