The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-29
Suppression Of Vice.

(By Lady Cook. nee Tennessee Clafiin)
The revelations that continue TO be made
in the press. owing TO the exposure Of the
sanitary state OF rhe British army In In
ola. gather force every day. We fear, how
ever. that the worst Il NOT yet known. AID
that It viii be found that the condition of
the native army is even more deplorabie.
When the country gecomes fully enlighten-
ed. as II must shortly be, regarding the
extent OF the disease which Is rapidly ruin
ing our fighting forces. It's attention win
nave TO be drawn 20 the alarming increase
OF this immoral malady among the civil
community also. We have embarked on
a career OF investigation which must be
made complete and comprehensive before
the nation will be satisfied And Il needs
no prophetic faculty to forsee that the re-
sui; viii be huniiiatins 70 our seIf-es-
TEEN: that We shall stand convicted Of the
rankest folly In having repealed the laws
Instituted for Its prevention and for the
protection Of health and life.
1t Is almost an elementary part CT a
mans education, that he should SOW his
Wild oats while he Is young. The boy IS
soon given TO understand that II Is quite
the proper thing for him to do. and that
il would m some way argue a want OF man
ineSs IN him TO refrain from it. Chastity
$ fitting for women only!
Wild oats, by which figure OF speech vice
IS intended. Is naturally 20 be looked for
and to be excused in young men. But so
long as they are taught this perniclous doc
trine. and made to believe in IT, SO long
will it be impossible for any check de-
vised by Divine or human law 20 operate
effectively.
What would be said II respectable young
women claimed the right TO SOW wild oats
In the some manner as respectable young
men?
How would brothers regard their sisters
II they consorted with the vilest and most
abandoned men and took the same nber-
ties with the decalogue as they do? Would
not the land resound throughout its length
and breadth with one long ululation of
male wrath and fear? Yet, for all they
know, If the practice Is necessary TO one
Sex, 1t would be beneficial also to the 9TH
er. OF one thing we may ever be certain:
that Nature is always right, and that she
never leads whittier We may not with safe
ty follow. But the evil Of sowing wild
oats Is proved by the depravity and mis-
cry which IL generates. In this manner
medical men are greatly to be blamed, In
asmuch as they have upheld the practice,
and, as we have denounced the priests as
promoters Of religious superstition. so We
denounce the medical faculty for this san
.tary superstition Of their cherishing.
The stock argument of the opponents Of
the G. D. Acts is that these would encour-
age Immortality. The morality that ex-
lists is therefore chiefly of their manufac-
ture, and might be labelled, MADE by
Purists." And what a hideous and re-
Voting picture 1t presents US: the streets
swarming with loose women, making It IN
safe for any decent girl to be out alone
at night, and positively dangerous for
youths and men; the lighthouses echoinH
obscene jests and oaths. and ringing with
Laughter; vice and disease on
all sides dancing over the fashionable nag
stones hand in hand, while Death looks
On and reaps an abundant harvest. If this
state OF immortality is the best that We
IAN hope for. then God help us in the fu-
lure! And until change of procedure
shall have been adopted. we shall refuse to
believe that We are in the right way.
The Purists however, are not altogether
1t fault. Much Of the responsibility lies
IN parents. No woman has any moral right
% become a mother until she has acquired
l certain amount OF medical knowledge,
sufficient to guide her IN her various ma
.ernal functions and duties. and to enable
her to warn her daughters against the
hangers and temptations Of youth. The
ignorance Of the majority of those who as
oire to be mothers. Is appalling. They now
absolutely nothing of those things they
ought to know. They are destitute of the
Useful instincts of brute mothers. and have
substituted for them no requirements what
ever of learning or reason. They seem to
forget that when instinct fails. reason
must supersede it. They do not realize
heir responsibilities Alright. Every mother
should be the instructress of her daughter
n all those subjects which are necessary
or the latter to know and fittest for the
orrner to teach. In like manner every IA
her should instruct his sons. Wise paren.
al teaching would assist In diminishing
disease and vice.
There are many children who are left or
,hans at an early age. Consequently SINH
ar instruction to that referred to might
'e given to the older pupils in schools.
sides benefitting these. 1t might also tend
o make good any deficiency or ignorance
IN the part of the parents of the others.
But whether individuals do their duty or
iOt, IL a. liOl lOT any ~ neg
ect its functions. the chief of which is
he protection of all the community. 1t in
lists on vaccination, In itself cruel thing
or young infants. TO supprass smallpox. |
I provides for the destruction OF cattle TO
lamp out pneumonia and other diseases.
I makes isolation compulsory in all cases
T infectious fevers. Plaques and pesti-
snce. which formerly ravaged our coun- |
~, have disappeared, and are prevented |
rom re-entering by rigid rules Of quaran-
inc. AL contagious diseases of man or |
east are Systematically guardad against
y preventive and coerciye measures. But |
hat which is not only the most loath- |
ONE and most painful in itself. not only |
he most Outrageous, but is also the most |
ersistent and most dangerous in It's hered- |
,ary bearings, by reproducing itself and |
arious fatal forms CT disease for many |
generations, is allowed 20 spread and de- |
elop unchecked. and its authors are per- |
nitted 20 go UNPUBLISHED. We protest that |
II this Is CRIME against the army. |
gainst society, and against the state at |
arge. And we solemnly urge that no time |
hould be lost in repairing the mischief that |
as been done.
Reflections of a Bachelor.