Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-03-05
Social Purity.

The very embodiment of success is
right beginning.
No mathematical problem is ever OBJ
tained by indirect measures, no profess
sional requirements gained without
direct application to the specified end.
Physiologically there neveris a thought
or act consumated but there is ten
dency in the mind to reproduce the
same; if parents and guardians rightly
understood this fundamental principle,
they would control what seem harmless
tendencies in their children.
Youth is tull of indiscretion, and Of
ten in an unguarded moment perpetra-
tes a foolish act that casts shadow on
his reputation, and weakens his charac-
ter for life. A falsehood however small,
bad word however rare, only calls for
a repetition Of the same. How often
the criminals history begins with some
seemingly frivolous act of childhood.
Here is where social purity hinges.
Youth eager to grasp knowledge guages
his or her respect for the opposite sex
from some lnsipid, unguarded remark
indiscretly dropped in their presence;
the future gives the sequel in broken
hearts and premature wrinkles mysti-
fving all who see the result but not the
cause There is no mother but would
have her son as pure in thought and
word as her daughter; Yet she unwise-
ly risks more with the former than
with the latter; before starting the
daughter On an errand she cautions her
over and over to not go by the loafer's
corner for fear she may hear rude re-
marks: while the son she neglects, IL
lustrating in this what so many erring-
ly say "hes boy it don't make so
much difference" he inquiringly ling
ers long enough to catch an obscene
story, recital of II winning game of
cards or pool; with these he becomes
familiar, interested, infatuated, and the
downward course begins; this son in
all probability will be the bosom friend
or companion for some idolized CAREFUL
ly educated daughter whose humilia-
tion is sooner or later felt. One of Gus
toms lll-timed, ill-advised laws, bridges
over the breach of honor men cause in
the ripples of society; while for the
same offence woman is exiled or isolat-
ed, with shame always clinging to her
history; here justice sitting with avert
I'd face dares not weigh the inlquities.
The last six months has brought great
revelations concerning the weak and
inefficient laws of this country and
England for the protection Of women,
rich and poor alike; these revelations
will bring great revolutions, VIM. T..
Stead the invincible protector of wom-
ans rights and honor stands impeach-
able; carried by the waves of public
sentiment into q glorious victory.
MISS Willard in speaking of him says:
"His awful revelations will hasten the
day of equal pay for equal work; and
equal financial status for the home
maker and the bread winner; juries in
which one-half are women where wom-
en- are to be tried; representation where
both are to be dealt with; freedom Of
all professicrs. and industries to all
persons who are capable of filling
them, and an equal voice for women
in making all the laws by which they
must be governed" All these and
much more is anticipated to he achiev-
ed by the lovers OF light and liberty. A
friend once said aye: sit is struggling
against odds that make women sacrifice
all that is Gacred TO their name" She,
womanly and true, is bailied with ad-
yersity. an unhappy childhood and a
diseased constitution, her heritage. the
| legitimate offspring Of strong drink,
were the powers that weighed her
down, and caused her to sympathize as
one who truly can with the bread-wiE-
ners in our beautiful and prosperous
country. Who Is better calculated to
avert these wrongs than the mothers
and sisters whose pure hand should un-
faltering, seek the ballot with the un-
swerving faith that shall remove the
mountains "of unjust laws.
| According to the census reports OF
1880 there are ia breWerics in Iowa,
valued at Sl.9S7.343. Bremen county
has two of these, yet VIC understand
the assessor has failed to recognize