New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-30
N1TTER or MORALS AND TASTE.

The ladies' who suddenly made II their bust
ness TO file protest against theatrical posters
which had offended them may not be disposed
mr. able to carry on an effective campaign on
that line: bnt there is no doubt that vulgar ana
indecent displays for one purpose or another
have become exceedingly common, and that pop
Mar opinion and public authority ought 10 com
binc 10 sion them Not only are blllboar1lS GOV
cred with abominablc pictures. but numerous
shop-windows on every important thorouchfare
contain photographs which are meant 10 appeal
10 dcpraved tastes. We have no intention OF
discussing the wcarisomc question ~ 'hc nude
in art" Our reference is to the nude and half
nude in n sphere with which art has nothing 10
do: 70 rcproductions Of forms and attitudes
which are contrivcd for the express purpose "f
dcmoralzing those who can be induced To in
spcct them and 81 causing II rush 10 see IN"
originals or something worse OF such pictorial
revelations Oh the stage and the hoardngS New
York is full 1t is a modern Development and
apparcntly 1t has not reached It's limit. Those
who are able 10 carry their thoughts back only
Il few years and revive truthful recollection OF
that time cannot fail 10 realize that an cxtraor-
binary change has been rapidly Introduced III
the general public sentiment which then pre-
vailed could be suddenly restored the com
munity would be astoundcd and shocked by
sights which now evoke only an occasional
protest
The fact Of n remarkable change IS in1s-
putablc The significance OF It may be variouSly
estimated Some persons would probably say
that It was a change for the better, that lars"
PROMOTION Of the people had been civilized into
a rational temper Of mind ana mode Of thought.
.I,o .l. M cd MOI "A
an advancement. "To the pure all things are
pure" is a maxim which is continually employed
with more or less sincerity TO Justify whatever
those who use II have II liking for Sometimes
there is a conclusive argument In the mcr"
statement. but not often We think. II j. IRE
qucntly and nippanlly quoted 10 confound and
make ridiculous sane and highmind"d men ana
women who would suffer fearful loss II they
exchanged standards ~ purity with their crit
les. and who Justly feel more Indignation than
they usually express AZ being thus imperilncnily
classified with the ignorant and the pruricnt.
There are few assumptions OF superiority which
are more offensive than that which expresses
itself in sheer or "A smile 81 compassion ~
pleas against indeccncy And there Is no more
fantastic fool In Christcndom than he who grave
" couples the Venus IL Milo with the carnal
illusions Of billboard and absovcs the most
audacious performers Of the variety stage In
memory Of GOdiya.
This great change ~ custom seems 10 us 10
prove a change Of sentiment which Is not whole
some and those who have not degcncratcd are
not only within their rights when they protest,
but entitled to be supported In their opposition.
There IS no force in the rciort that people
only what they choose to look At The pictorial
vugarltics with which the city is plasiercd can
not be escaped. They are obvious and intrusive
from every point Of view. AZ for the less con
spicuous but more abomlnable displays In shop
windows, they designedly exist as an enticcment
to evil and they unquestionably fulfil their mis-
sion II there are reputable citizens who do
not perceive that morality is menaccd. they
nevertheless have reason 10 unite In defence OF
good taste with those who do. That Is not the
highest concern, but II Is certainly worthy Of
consideration. The offence grows worse, and IL
will continue TO spread If It Is not sharply
checked