The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-11-13

receive some of the benefits coming to
all. Society had a right to protect itself
to the end that it might not be burden
ed by the existence and operation of
vice. and to interfere with the vicious
that might add to the over-swelling
tide of crime. All over the land. in all
denominations, there were agencies cs-
tablished and maintained simply be-
cause the government, limited and
shackled as it was, proved wholly in
adequate to the task Of coping with
it all. These were the outgrowth Of
reformatories and courts, without num-
Der, but still the flood of vice swelled
and grew. 1t was because the functions
OF government proved inadequate that
private agencies were established.
Among all the troubles of life, there
was one noble and inspiring thought
that private charities were to be found
in every city In the land. Among all
the evils Of Greece ana Rome, there
were not to be found an asylum or hos
pital. These were the outgrowth Of
modern civilization. Let child be born
who knew nothing of motherhood or
fatherhood, and thousand arms were
ready to receive and nurture it; take
the old man standing at the end Of life,
face to face with poverty-and institu-
lions were reared to care for him; take
the young girl. thrown on the mercies
of great city, with lust ever ready to
grapple with virtue, and there were
willing hands waiting to take charge
of her.
If governmental agencies were suf-
ficient, these institutions would not ex-
list. In all these great agencies stand
ing out first and foremost was the
Catholic church, which was made the
object of attack in this case. It's ben
eficent agencies were to be found on
the eternal SHOWS of the Alps, on the
burning sands of the desert and even
in the leprous colonies of the Pacific.
When an individual became men,
Der of society he relinquished certain
OF his rights for the benefit of all.
When people appealed to these volun-
tary agencies they must be held to
have abandoned certain of their rights
for the good of all. 1t was the duty of
this institution, organized to meet a de-
mand that the laws of the state could
t0
the inmates in a reasonable manner.
There were reciprocal rights on the
parts of the inmates. They must SUBJ
nit to a reasonable supervision over
their rights and desires. II was the
duty of the sisters to protect their
charges. There was an end to the in
stitution If the lust from without could
reach the lust from within.
There was no institution that could
rescue and reclaim ALL There were
some natures so low and depraved that
no power could reach them. The way to
test the work Of an institution was
by the general effect of that work on
society generally, not by taking up
isolated cases. 1t was the duty of the
sisters, nay their bounden duty to re-
press, If possible, any hayward impulse
to leave. Stanislaus, one of the in
mates, wanted to leave three days after
arrival, but today the influences CT her
wicked heart were subdued and she
could be exhibited as the fruit of these
noble women. The rights of the insti-
tuition were measured by its RESPONSE
biiities. and he believed it was his
duty to show the character of the wit
nesses for the plaintiff. Continuing,
Mr. Clapp said:
Selma Clewett is piece of clay in
the potters hands, moulded and pre-
sented to the counsel to play upon his
sympathies. 1t is malignant spirit
that turks back of this case, spirit
that instead of lifting up vice to the
plane of virtue would bring virtue down
to the level of vice. That's the spirit
back Of this persecution. That's the
spirit that has rakcd the dens of in
fanny in this city, that this institution
might be smirched."
The counsel said that the saddest
sight in all the world to him was an
abandoned woman. 1t was the epitome
of broken and aching hearts; of par
ents on Bonded knees beseeching AL
mighty God to save an erring child.
Her life was one of absolute hopeless
ness. The doors of society were closed
against her. And when the unfortunate
had sunk to the lowest depths of degrala-
ton, it was the nature of abandoned
womanhood to gloat over the fall OF
others.
IF could sound a note of warning"
said Gen. Clapp, ut would be that no
man who loves a woman will degrade
her. 1t IS harsh law that a girl who
transgresses is lost. Society bolts its
doors against her, and there she stands
There are two doors open TO her. The