Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1888-01-14
VIRTUE.

We use the above heading for the want
of a more expressive term TO cover what
we are about TO say. The subject is sug-
gested by recent occurrences. local to
Eureka, though our moralizing is in.
tended to take a wider range.
The virtue Of woman, in the general
and broader sense, and how to strengthen
and uphold it, is what we propose to talk
about. This brings us at once to say,
and with emphasis, that we are q strong
believer in the saving grace of the shot
gun. In every country, and in every
age Of the world, where men have re-
sorted to violent means TO protect the
honor Of woman, there has been found
the highest standard Of virtue and NOR
atty among the women. Womankind
cannot avoid placing the same estimate
upon herself and her conduct that may
be placed upon them by their natural
male protector, whether it be husband,
father or brother. The lesson is as old
as the creation. The history of o~iviliza-
ton, since its very dawn, bears testimony
to it. If men are lax in their ideas Of
virtue among women, so will the women
themselves be. II men kill for this Of.
tense against society and the Preside,
then will woman move on the higher
plane. But. Of course. there must be
discrimination between right and wrong,
as in everything else. The man who
wrongs q woman-mark the distinction,
wrongs her-should be killed like a dog
on sight by the nearest Of male kin. II
this were the universal custom Of men,
there would be less debauching Of women,
and the great safeguards of pure homes
would be increased immeasurably. 1t is
the doctrine that we believe in, and we
deliberately place it in cold type to in
~culcate it as the doctrine Of the general
public also il we can. This is a startling
question, and is daily becoming more so
in this country. We cannot shut our
eyes to the facts if We would. The life
of liberty itself is involved. Does history
teach in vain?
Rome at one time was mistress OF the
earth. Her institutions and civilization
were nearly as full and as enlightened
as ours of to-day. To be a Roman citizen
in those days was the proudest title that
could be conferred upon man, aud to be-
come a Roman Senator was to reach a
proud Olympus next to the unattainable
in life. The manly virtues everywhere
prevailed in the highest degree of perfec.
ton. To insult, or make indecent pro-
posals to a woman, meant instant death.
But conditions changed. Prosperity
and freedom bred vice and immortality.
The virtue of woman gave way, and in
less than one hundred years from the pc.
riod Of greatest perfection in Rome, the
wives Of Roman Senators were intriguing
and planning designations in the CORR.
doris of the capitol. One step speedily
followed another. Corrupt mothers
brought forth weak, effeminste and ener.
waited sons, without courage and without
manhood, and soon proud Rome went
into decay and final ruin. Her downfall
was due solely to the immortality OF her
women, and the women fell because Of
the abandonment Of the shotgun as a
means Of protecting her honor.
The lesson should not be lost on this
Republic. That it is being ignored can
not be denied by those who are going
through the world with their eyes open.
Hence we repeat that the mar who
openly Stays another, who has wronged a
woman, performs a service for society
and the State, for which he should be
pensioned rather than punished.