The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-02-19

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Southern Society LEADER Say it Hus1
b stopped. Sam Jones says Ditto.
An osculatory epidemic is pre-
vailing at Atlanta, Georgia. II
other words, kissing has become q
growing social evil and the leaders
Of the capital city's society declare
it should be stopped. A note Of
warning was recently issued by Mrs
Kingsberry, q recognized leader Of
the high social circles, which Gre
ated . terrific sensation. and the
beaux and bellies of Atlanta are con.
fronted with tho question Of the
hour, ITO kiss, or not to kiss" One
of the prominent ladies said:
1.-THE position taken by Mr. Kings
berry ID not only eminentlv correct, but
il exceptionally timely. 1t is sad truth
that kissing ~ it Is now INDUCED 10 bj
the young people of Atlanta oversteps it,
innocent bounds, and 10 the one evil that
threatens heretofore pure and lovablt
society."
A committee of ladies interviewed the
mayor Of Atlanta and other prominent
gentlemen of the city to obtain theil
sentiments on the subject Of kissing.
The Rev. Sam p. Jones, Georgia's noted
evangelist, has taken the matter up aud in
an authorized interview adds to the warn
ing that has been made by Mrs. Kings.
berry.
"We had better stop and ask some ques
tions," he says in fatherly way. "First,
who il it that wants kiss, and what il
he xoing to do with it after he gets iii
What will follow this kiss, or these kissesl
Really first-class gentlemen and really
first-cla ladies don't do much kissing
before they are married, in my judgment
The second class can do pretty much q
they please anyhow.
Il don't want anybody kissing my sis
ter, aud as gentleman ! am not going
to kiss anybody else's sister, for no gen
tleman will treat another mans sister or
wife or daughter differently from what
be would ask fcT his own sister Or wife
Of daughter.
"When kissing comes in crazes it be
comes dangerous, and have known of
some Instances where it impaired coma
glon., A young lady's lips ought to be as
sacred as her character. Touch not, taste
not ought to be the motto of every pure
girl. There are too many wrecked al
really, and too many eharacterless dudes
'.Modcsty aud purity are the two pillars
that uphold woman's character. You
knock either of these pillars sout from
under her character, and down she goes,
and after the devil gets a woman down
aud puts his foot on her neck she never
gets up.
"Our girls devote too much time to
beauty of the face and the fashion of
dress. But after ali, beauty of character
is the thing, tor by aud by the roses will
fade from the cheeks and the luster will
fade from the eyes, but u beautiful char
acter, upheld by the pillars Ct modesty
and purity, will shine on when the stars
have grown dim aud while the dateIess
of the future is wearing away"
One of the interesting features of the
present fad in Atlanta is that it finds
many advocates among the older gentle
lhen Of the Four Hundred. Mayor Col
Iier, in discussing it in an afternoon paper,
says:
"As Mayor of the city, it would prob
ably not he proper for me to give an Off
cial opinion regarding such an important
question, and one, too, which the learned
men of all great nations are unable to
decide to the satisfaction of all persons
When | was young and everything was
sunshine, was heartily in favor of kissing
"Of course, the girl was to be pretty,
and the time and place acceptable. Now
that | have passed this period, I do not
feel that / should hamper the rights of
others. Kissing is On art, and both give,
and receiver should lie experts to secure
the proper effect. Seriously speaking.
love should be the judge in all such cases =
''The State Treasurer says: IL think
kissing is a good thing if the parties can
agree. 1t won't do to force such matters.
however. l think people ought to be
very careful"
Col. Allen D. Chandler, the Confeder-
ate veteran, who IS leading the procession
for Governor of Georgia, says: kissing
ia an institution of which | ain very
proud, provided the party of the second
part is good looking. That's all I know
about it,"
There is talk Of legislation on the kiss
ing subject, but legal authorities say a
law would be unconstitutional
and that it could not be enforced any way.
A number Of Paris woman have