Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-07-24
THE LONDON CRIME.

We have advices through the cable that
the Pal Mall Gazette was able the very first
day Of the investigation which it has so.
licited to establish the truth of the charges
with which 1t recently startled the British
nation and the whole civilized world.
Those who have affected TO regard the
horrible exposures of crime against the
female children Of the poor as mere news
paper sensation must perforce abandon that
foolish theory. The committee which has
consented to examine the charges is made
up of some of the most eminent men in
England and their character is unimpeach-
able.
The agents of the Pail Mall Gazette were
prepared TO demonstrate the truth of their
assertions of assaults on the children of the
poor, and that the horrible practice had not
ceased, but was continued right along in
the most practical way, and proceeded to
arrange anew for the actual production of
purchased girls Of fourteen years certified
by doctors as virgins in the manner de-
scribed II was shown that "Mme, X" and
mime, Y" are not myths, but real persons
actually engaged in the infamous business
Of supplying young girls of poor parents to
crafty tue bestial desires of wealthy roues.
The investigation has already created so
much impression that the Home Secretary
has made public announcements in Parlia.
ment of the Governments sympathy with
the work which the Gazette inaugurated and
promised that no effort shall be spared to
discover and punish the perpetrators of the
offense
That class of persons whom Chas Reade
once described as "prurient prudes" have ut
terly misconceived the object and effect OF
this exposure Of the atrocious dongs of the
pampered and licentious classes. There was
no other way in which the British public
could be arousedto the unspeakable sexual
crimes that were being committed and the
enornity of the offense against public morals
Had the Pail Mall Gazette undertaken the
work gngerly, had il contented itself with
rumors and inuendoes, had it given out iso
lated cases in ambiguous phrase, then its
information would have passed unheeded
as police-court gossip, and il would have
been fairly chargeable with prurient motives
But il fired broadside which reverberated
throughout the world. 1t appealed TO hui
manity. There was no lasciviousness about
its revelations. There was no romance oil
Illicit love or seduction. Not single case
was mentioned which could be regarded a:
an amour. 1t was not description Of
prostitution nor Of free-will lust, it was an
account Of the most horrible crimes com
mitted by wholesale, in which the imma
ture daughters of the poor, orphans with
out protection, daughters of poor widows
or Of dissoiutc parents, were abducted, in
weighed, hribed and roped through Gun
Mug system of procuration. There is ne
crime a. revolving as this, and il has beer
carried on with the apparent assent Of til,
police Of London and almost with the sane
ton Of the law, which fails to give til,
authorities the right 10 interfere.
The Gazette has succeeded in arousing
universal indignation and melting move
ment which will undoubtedly lead to N re-
vision of the law 1t was good work
which claims the gratitude of all mora
mankind.
We regret that this horrible development
was not made earlier, so that in our country
our State legislatures could have passed
laws, as surely they will yet, making the
carnal knowledge of any girl under sixteen
years OF age punishable as rape The ex.
posures made by the Pail Mall Gazette is a
truthful record of revolving crime which
should be accepted as warning by Ameri.
can legislators and the police authorities of
every community. II il the herald of mis-.
sionary work of greater importance than the
conversion of the heather. Common hu-
manity cries aloud for the protection Of
young girls from the fiends who sell and
buy their bodies and destroy their souls