New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-31
NETWORK WOMEN UPHELD.
ELBRIDGE t. GERRY PRAISES THEN.
HE SAYS THE IDEA THAT THEY ARE NOT WHAT
THEY aHOuLp BIZ 10 FALSE.

HE SAYS THE IDEA THAT THEY ARE NOT WHAT
THEY SHOULD Blk 10 FALSE,
Elbridge T. Gerry. commodore Of the New-fork
Yacht Club, will never appear more gallant In
the eyes Of New-York women than he was lase
night, when he defended them In Association
Hall The occasion was the anniversary cele-
bration of the White Cross Society. Before o
thousand Christian young men the genial and pa
triotic commodore defended the women Of society
here, and his words struck fire. At least 1000
palms clapped hands enough to bring sparks
from flint when the commodore made his pro-
test against attacks upon the women of this
city, 1t was the third anniversary Of the forma-
ton of tho society. Henry Webster presided,
and on the platform sat among others Com
modore Gerry and DE- d. b. st. John
Roosa the two speakers OF the
evening A few preliminary remarks
were made by the chairman in opening the meet
ing, and few statistics were quoted by the
secretary, F. ii. zimmerman Seven hundred men,
bers have been admitted this year, and three new
publications have been issued during the year
Commodore Gerry was then announced as the
6rst speaker, and his subject was Personal
Purity lie was received with hearty applause,
and began his remarks by quietly saying that he
would leave the religious side OF the question to
the clergy, while he would contine himself to the
objects Of the society But after few &c general a
subject, his speech being recognized as reply
to the recent sermon OF the Row. Dr. Morgan DIX.
He said:
It mistaken idea in the minds Of many who should
be wellinformed the subject to fancy that New
York hatitualy and generally impure. There
purer class In the world than American woincn
snd the social circles in which these are per-
feet and free from impurity loud epplause) II is
mistake sppSse that the wives and daughters Of this
community have the slightest impurity OF thought or
action (Appause) The women of New-York constitute
themselves Of society Let man enter
and overstep tho bounds of proprety in the
slightest degree ond he is a marked man. Our young
and bameess that they shudder at the
thought Of becoming contaminated with impurty. ZAP
pause 1t IL and overdrawn TO suppose that
young either By display Of personal charms or
by their conversation auring young men to wrong
(Appause) Recolect that today. II It were not for the
and daughters OF socety who keep the line Of
purity strongly marked society would be perfect brothe
a sodom and GOmorrah loud applause.
three suggestions to mako by which this evil can
cuitivatng purity Of thought. purity Of
and purity Of deed. Impuriy Of thought can be
suppressed By making the sign CT the cross. Impure
words in others be checked by saying: Suppose
that change the subject That remark Will dscon
cert telling improper story. The remedy
for impurty In deed is not tamDerng with SIM total ao
stinence is the only safeguard
The speaker then changed to another subject,
saying:
have spoken Of purity OF society exists In upper
circles; now VIII say something o ahosher soco'9'
substraum OF vice. This Is gaining recruits daily, hourly
from lower classes among the children Of the poor who
plunged almost unconscousy, daily. almost hourly
into tho abyss Of vice.
Mr.. Gerry said that in 1857 he had found
that there were 5000 dissolute women in this
city, and that to-day their number had increased
20 between $1,000 and 10000 He riticd these
poor women, but what fearful shame for the
American people, what disgrace TO clvl i
that so little was done to save them, 10 hit them
upl - ~, A.,
Mr.. Gerrys address was listened TO with the
most intense interest, and the applause when ne
finished was long and loud.
Dr. Roosa was the last speaker He approved
Mr.. Gerrys remarks.