The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-02
The Moral Standard for Men and
for Women.

The Moral Standard for Men and
for Women.
The revelations in the trial % the case
OF Miss POLLARD against Congressman
BRRcKINRIpaE Of Kentucky and his confess
sion OF moral depravity have melted the
leagues and societies devoted to social pu-
rity to renewed efforts to accomplish their
praiseworthy purpose. The Social Purity
League Of this city would have the present
Mra BREcKNRIDoB leave her husband be-
cause OF his offences against society and
moral and civil law. Tho Woman's Rescue
League OF Boston adopted resolutions last
Monday requesting 1.-The chivalrous people
Of Kentucky to retire W. G. P. BREoKIN-
RIDGE to q private life OF obscurity
and oblivion"
IL is reported that so far from intending
to abandon her husband. Mrs. BREoKrN-
RIDGE stands up for him faithfully. and Wis
it's her condemnation on Miss POLLARD
alone. as wicked woman who led good
man astray. Such wifely fidelity cannot be
reprobated. and is not unusual. Moreover. It
seems apparent that Mrs. BREoKNRIDaE
knew before her marriage to the Congress-
man that he had had. and had. some sort
OF complications with Miss POLLARD:
but she only pltled him because she
believed that he had been In the
tolls OF q depraved woman. Probably she
feels that for that very reason he needs the
comfort and protection Of good wife, His
infdelity to his wife now dead she charges
as an offence Of Miss POLLARD rather than
as an outrage Of his own. She married him
thinking of his future which she was conf
dent would be safe in her keeping. and not OF
his past. disfgured by the vile offences
which he has been forced to confess.
This Is another among q multitude OF
proofs that good women will paliate con-
duct In men which they denounce In women
as an Indication OF utter degradation.
Practically In these matters they set up for
women standard to which they do not hold
men. After the exposure OF Sir CHARLES
dixie in England. a woman Of the most esti-
mable character and very great ability was
willing to marry him. She believed In him
In spite of the terrible testimony against
him. Many men from whom their wives
have obtained divorces on the statutory
grounds OF this State. where the divorce
law Is so strict. have not for that reason
been prevented from marrying thereafter
and elsewhere good and pure women. A
woman so divorced is almost invariably
shut out from subsequent matrimony
wherever her infldelity is known. No man
wants her for a wife. Matrimonial union
with her involves disgrace for him in the
eyes OF both men and women. He Is
tabooed socially.
The Social Purity League OF this city. at
Its annual meeting last Monday night. de-
manded that this social punishment should
be visited with equal severity and certainty
on men and women. 1t contended that In
morals and religion the standard Of purity
is the same for both. and that impurity is
no less an offence against society In a man
than In woman: that 1t Is as morally de-
In the one as in the other. Yet
the sentiment Of society. from the days OF
the Old Testament until now. has been DIFF
ferent. and at present the difference is
largely. ifNnot chiefly. due TO women.
Women continue to put the standard higher
for women than for men. and not many Of
them find fault with the law when IL dis
eliminates between the two by making the
woman offender punishable where the man
Is allowed to escape.
This difference is defended on physiology
ical grounds; but the Social Purity League
Is right In denying that 1t is defensible
under the laws and principles of Christian
ity. The moral offence Is the same In both
men and women. except that where a pure
girl Is led astray by man. IL Is far worse
In him than in her. The League. there
fore. needs first to educate women 10 apply
TO men the same standard of purity as
they apply to themselves. As 1t is
now. q great part OF them excuse
In men as a peccadillo. an offence for
which they condemn and ostracize women
pitilessly. Men whose irregular and de-
PRAYED relations with women are q matter
Of notoriety. marry the spotless daughters
Of parents cognizant OF the facts. That Is
30 indisputable and so frequent that young
men are thereby encouraged In dissolute
courses before marriage.
The Social Purity League Is endeavoring
10 overcome this evil by specific legislation:
but that is not the way to provide an effect
lal remedy for 1t. The law cannot inculcate
md enforce moral principles. It cannot
shange the public sentiment. and more par
the sentiment and the practice OF
women which create this difference OF moral
standards Of which We have spoken. The
change must be effected by cultivating |
n both men and women higher and TIMER |
sentiment. SO that each shall hold the other |
TO the same moral law. II Is . |
natter in the regulation OF which women can |
make themselves all-poWerful, IL they will. |
Is a beginning. w. @. p. BRECKENRIDGE |
,ught. as the Boston Rescue League de- |
hands. to be retired by the condemnation |
II women to "a private life OF obseurity |
md oblivion" Such fate he deserves all |
he more because OF his religious hypocrisy
md his unmanly attempt TO throw on his |
youthful paramount the whole burden of |
heir common sin.