The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-14
MODERN BABTLON'S VICES.
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell on the Pail Mall
Gazette Disclosures.

To The Editor of the Brooklyn Times.
You will be glad to know the real facts re
speeding the late revelations of vice published by
the Pail Mall Gazette, revelations which have
produced moral earthquake in Europe, and
hope in America also.
know the editor He is an honest, manly
man, who, being convinced of the truth Of his
facts, was resolved to break the conspiracy of
silence and let socalled Christian nations know
OF the lnsldlous sexual vices that are slowly de-
str0yng both womanhoOd and manhood in
America as well as Europe. For here let me say
that have facts in my possession in relation 10
both New York ard Philadelphia revealing
deeper horrors enacting IN those cities than any
thing alluded to by tho Pail Mall Gazette, while
my own personal knowledge of France, and the
legal evidence of its tribunals in my possession,
enable me to assert positively that sexual vice in
Paris has sunk deeper aud advanced to far
moro fearful extent than in London.
The righteous rage of the Pail Mall editor COM
PEELED him to shake his fist in the face of the
hypocrtical Parliament which was going again
to throw ont bill for ra-'"". 49, 49,, ace &C. ;,rotec-
ton of minor girls. Nothing but tremendous
shock from the outside could do this. It was q
deed OF heroic daring for high class and popular
journal to give this shock. But the editor was a
brave man, not q coward, and he did it,
was IN London at the time, and never wit
messed such scene Every hypocrite stood
aghast, or stamped with rage; every prudish
person morally tainted; every delicate minded
man or woman cried ''was this necessary"
Alas! it was necessary; and events have proved
the necessity. But instantly the clubs stopped
the journal, and Mr.. W. H. Smith Cabinet min
ister), who has monopoly Of all the railway
stands and the chief newspaper supply of Great
Britain, forbade tho sale Of the journal by his
agents By this arbitrary act the sale of the
Gazette was taken out of the regular method of
supply, and mob of irresponsible cries seized
upon tire sale during the four days when the facts
obtained by the private inquiry committee were
to be published. In those articles the editor
clearly showed that the guiltiest source of all
thl> horror, source of far deeper guilt than the
brothei keeper or even the vile procurer, is the
man who buys human flesh, who brides the soul
and body int. vice. He proves also that the
COMPROMISE with vice which exists in France
does foster this ana .deadlier forms of evil.
1t is this departnre in sexual morality,
this bravely facing and expo%nding the profound
est source of evil that make this latest move
ment so hopeful. At last we have a clever but
honest man of the world, and a leading journal.
bold enough to speak the truth. This movement
has been led up to- not only by the long inces-
SAINT agitation for repeal of the unjust contagious
disease act but also by the numerous purity ALI
ances active rescue and protection societies. and
the Salvation armies which have sprung up
within the past fifteen years. Last Friday many
of these societies held conference for the fol-
lowing object ITO consider the construction of
a committee with view to working the expected
new laws l wish to emphasize this object as
an indispensable step in ali moral improvement.
The police and officials in no country can be
trusted with the responsibility, unmatched, of
executing law. The union and vigilance Of the
citiZens-men and women working together-is
indispensable to support and guide the police, if
they are honestly to discharge their duties.
l hope these hints ma. be of service to my
valued friends in America They are joining in
the tremendous moral campaign which is open
ing in this genelation, and the principles on
which this warfare must ne carried on are the
same everywhere. The leading principle must
oe to commence by protecting and guiding the
young; then gradually but steadily checking
manifestations Of vice, arousing Christian con-
science in the community, and never ceasing to
watch the administration of justice carried on by
both magistrates and police.
ELIZABETH BLACKWELL, 81 D.
HASTINGS, Eng, July 30.