The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-09
MURDERS OF LOVERS.
A Woman Gives Her Views on Thi
Timely Topic.
st. Louis Globe-Democrat.

For about five years past it has been
the criminal rage to kill a girl who refuses
slight change of programme, and discarded
husbands are shooting women they have
driven to part with them by abuse.
Much of the numbering Is due TO a popu-
lar sentiment that has allowed a man to
kill one who insults his sweetheart, or a
woman to KIN ,, g man s Tno d mas ; 1etr9 6sSl
atty. Sentiment really should have no
place in criminology, for the good reason
that you cannot put TO 1t any limits OF
But there should be a much graver code
for young women in their relations to suit
ors. Those who triiie with affections in or
der to number victims must understand that
they are breeding .. spirit OF revenge that Is
dangerous. 1t is one Of the incomprehensi-
BILE Incidents of American society that there
is no LITTLE conscience on this point. L have
known young women deliberately aiming 10
gain, not the attentions only, but the real
love OF young men, until they, could boast
OF two. three or four devoted suitors. 1t
then becomes impossible for her 10 retain
her honor. She has lied in manner and de-
ceiVed in words. The probabilities are she
will ruin two or three whom she should
have ennobled, and that she IS herself both
debauched in spirit and finally miserable as
q wife. What wonder if this
selishness has at last created an ugly SEN
timent among young men, ana mat a mama
has risen for shooting trlnerS.
Talk all you Will OF womens rights, ana
their deprivation of rights, there Is one
period when they have all the rights, and
- tIGlI Gl III 4 @AIA Ills 40
at the turning period of character. If our
young men are roue, blase, 1t is because
they find so little of real wOmanhood in
girls at the marriageable age. This is not
due to any custom of mothers in this coun-
try to endeavor 10 marry their daughters,
but to the almost total lack of direct moral
culture in our families and schools. The
only guard q Young girl Is taught TO pre-
serve is that which covers her sexual rela-
tons. But sexual purity does not consti-
tute honor or right character. True woman
illness is a fine regard for the best character
of those about us. L do not know. many
girls who are so large in spirit, so truly
devoted TO goodness that they Will aid or
try to aid q young man to attain his noblest
and best. Suppose you retort that you know
few young men of such stuff and character;
that does not impeach my point; it only
makes the state of affairs the more I'M
promising.
derouS spirit that has grown into a lovers
fad, society cannot quietly permit 1t to be
unchecked. | do not believe any thorough
cure win or can take place until the rela-
tons of the sexes in early life are read
iIsted. 1t is possible that we shall go
through the same revolution or social eVolu-
ton that took form in Eastern countries
and betroth the young without consulting
their wishes. This, on the face Of it, seems
a terrible outrage. The girl ought to have
a chance, according to the accepted code.
to attract about her a dozen suitors, and
disappoint I'll but one. She ought to be
privileged TO go through q flirting period,
the result of which is TO take a pick of
such as she can. Meanwhile she has not
only done vast mischief to others. but to
herself. She has loved, more or less. half
Il dozen, and does not know her own mind
or feel sure of her affections in any di-
rection. Blu if she has selected wisely,
the process of selection may have been in
furious to her. OF course, it will not Go
woman's rights. Only | cannot help noting
that marriages are not held to be very
sacred affairs; divorces steadily multiply,
and the existence of the family is en-