The Helena independent., 1892-08-13
Justice ~ Well as Mercy.

To The INDEPENDENT: In your issue of
yesterday m. L. B." writes somewhat
lengthy article on the Clore street women,
erring and intemperate persons are not
more moved BY the constant efforts of good
mon and women for their benefit" though
she admits that she had not the courage
to plead with them." also had had not "the
money to help them. for one would be no
pEoS pis for % bsinR or snv ses%;ne 70 BE- virsuous
THAT the ladies are honest and earnest no
one can doubt. and the question is one of
vital importance to every one interested
in the uplifting Of humanity. That the
good women should be aroused to the nec-
their own sex. is oommendable." (D To
me this sounds like an apology for doing
good. Next the question is asked, "What
do they propose to do with all these women
who are turned out of the only home they
toD.is and the n;s1: e Of ns yng fSF Wiz Soss q.
charity to the errinR ones, will say that
do not think this question should concern
those who are bent on crushing out sin and
shame. When our Lord turned the money
chanRers'' out of the temple. He
did not seek an honorable employ
my house Is the house Of prayer, but you
have made it a den of thieves.' The wo-
men in question were not born or bred in
those houses; doubtless many had mothers
as true and pure minded as m. E. b.
Why then. is it the ''only home they
know?" Like the rest Of us, they had a
homo with few exceptions, perhaps), as
sooiates, good inolinations and bad ones,
but unlike the many, they turned q deaf
ear to the voice of conscience and admoni-
tors. Is this reason why they should be
petted and hsmpered by people who are
<o rn hoip r. hv ho yva of
their brow" that the favored few might
live in luxury and orime3 II they are told
to 20 to work as the rest OF Us are, will they
do it2 How, then. can you give them q
home? Only God knows how many homes
they have broken up. how many mouthfuls
OF bread they have taken from starving
children. whose fathers or supporters have
been induced to spend their last farthing in
those dens of vice, how many poor
mothers heart has been made to bleed as she
ssee her children worse than fatherless, and
she is often fo.ce1 TO put her little ones in
the hands of strangers that she might not
see them sta,ve. Who're is the charity
thers2 Though such as these make us
almost forget charity, and Gil US with anger
and resentment. but only for moment,
ws hear the voice of Christ preaching
charity. and peace and love. Let our err
lives for which they were created aud they
will find our homes and hearts open to
them. God was not unjust enough to pop
ulate the world without giving the neces-
sary means for honest and honorable en-
ployment. Again, II often wonder how
such things arc permitted" Have you not
read that "God created ill with free will"
"that no one shall be tempted beyond his
strength" Tho writer also intimates that
women only who have fathe q. husbands
and brothers who can furnish them the
means of gratifying their taste for dress,
are virtuous." For shame! Taking II as a
whole. the working girl OF our day might
be said to take the lead in the ranks of vir-
tue. Have they no love for dress, or orna-
msnt, or ease? Yes; but they havo a far
greater love Of purity; they are
4 God-fearing people and know that
the souls ornament ia far more
valuable and lasting than the rich apparel
bought at the price Of sin. Her "heart
would ache when she saw a new arrival" "
How many heartaches might be spared
both her and the new arrival" il there
were no such places in which to 90. l do
not wish to appear harsh. but there must be
Justice az well a. mercy, and the many
should not suffer for the few. II. X. NJ.