San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-12-23
cious and squallid surroundings.
Thousands of infants are annually

child out of every ten dies before
the end OF its first year.
The evils enumerated are mon
strous In an age and country like
ours, and calls for immediate re-
dress. There must be no flinching
from any remedial process, how
ever abhorrent it may be to our
preconceived ideas and prejudices
provided some cure can be effected.
Radical diseases require drestic
treatment, and loathsOme eX-
crescences must be removed by an
unsparing use of the knife. To
begin with, sex privileges and sex
disqualifications shout be abolish
ed, and fair field given to all
alike. Let each be permitted to
be and to do whatever he or she is
able. Boys ond girls should be
educated alike, and should COM
pete with each other in studies
and sports. What is good for boys
is good for girls. Mothers should
encourage entire confidence be-
tween their daughters and them
selves, aud carefully instruct them
in regard to all that concerns their
future. Nothing should be left to
chance, or to prudent instructors.
The mother is the fittest teacher
of her daughter. How many girls
would have been spared miserable
lives had they been blessed with
sensible mothers? Women should
have the same right to propose to
men as men have to women. 1t
is the mother who for weary
months will bear her child beneath
her heart and for years will nurse
it in her bosom. VIII she desire
an idiot, a drunkard, a weakling?
No. She longs for a man-child,
one who will be tender, and wise,
and valiant. Woman is hero
worshipper, and desires to produce
heroes. Her instincts are true,
and she will select the bravest and
best OF men for her husband. II
left to nature, the fittest would
survive. But, as things are, the
unworthiest increase most rapid
ly. The ignorant and the i'm
provident give the reins to their
passions and threaten to over
whelm US with the multiplication
of the unfit" Even those weighed
down with hereditary or contract
ed maladies do not stint them
selves. They marry and are given
in marriage. The prudent and the
wise exercise restraint. II it be
true that labor does not increase
in proportion to the increase of
population, legislative measures
will have to be adopted to prevent
the marriage of the unfit. What
has been done from motives Of
religion, from luxury, or choice,
may perchance be done again
from necessity. Criminals, heredi-
tary paupers, profligates, and
others afflicted with gross bodily
or mental defects, should not be
allowed to marry. Then our pris-
ons, warehouses, and asylums
would at no great distance Of time
be empty. Our Lock Hospitals
would be swept away. Prostitu-
ton would become forgotten
calling. Pauperism would cease.
Disease would be almost unknown.
Our race would be raised to the
highest pitch of perfection and
excellence. The people who shall
first have the moral courage to do
this will take the lead among the
nations of the world.
Profoundly imbued with this
optimistic creed, we gladly see the
old year die, and hopefully well
come in the new. The throes Of
new births are around US. The air
is full Of whispered agonies. The
hearts Of men are beginning to
beat in harmony with the pull
sations Of time. There are, there
fore, great possibilities in the near
future. Courage, my sisters! The
hour OF woman's freedom draws
nigh.
Geo. w. Jenkins, editor Of the
Santa Maria "Times," Cal, in
!. speaking Of the various ailments
Of children said: "When my chill.
; dren have Group there is only one