The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-15
a SOCIAL TRAGEDY AVERTED.

is subject to comment in its relation to the
function of journalism. The Call was for brief
space the recipient of unfrendy CRITICISM which was
probably the source of profit to the evening papers
which printed it, because it made timely exposure OF
the Vaccinations of adventurer who had pushed
his shape and veneering OF manners to the verge OF
matrimonial union, which would have been advanta-
geous him. but infinitely distressing to its beautiful
and wealthy victim and humiIiatng to her family and
friends.
We were careful to avoid that sensational treatment
of the matter to which its dramatic and revolving ea
lures temptation that sensational Journalism
would not have resisted preferred to apply to 1t
the severely judicial in which The Call treats
all things OF human interest.
Our object not only TO prevent greyous
social tragedy and the sad wreck OF personality en-
dowed with every endearing quality that shines as
refined example but to make San Francisco an IN
profitable field for the operation Of other adven-
turers who may find it convenient to ply their arts
under the mask of an assumed name, used to cover
life led in defiance of morality and honor.
Women are peculiarly susceptible to abuse through
their affections and all good men, in memory of their
mothers owe to the world duty in the exposure
and the punishment it brings of who adopt this
abuse as a. trade profitable themselves and destruc
tive to their victims
The Call is glad to have been the Of that
moral sanitation which has made all homes within its
influence safer from risk that is appalling than
physical pestence Ills of the flesh may be treated
and cured, and physical health, and lies enjoyment
that goes with it, may be restored and the havoc OF
disease so repaired that it leaves trace and is for
gotten Not so with those wounds OF the spirit
those set sorrows which inflicted by the sinister
adventurer who has counterfeited with a cold heart
the sncertes of affection which have but one pure
stainless a star.
The case which we have treated from desire to
protect the innocent and guard the community from
sinister invasions in the future is not singular as
to warrant any other feeling the part OF those who
have been rescued from impending ruin than graft
tude for their escape Their position is way dit
ferent from what it would be had any other form OF
peril and disaster been avoided by timely warning
and friendly caution.
What passing humiliation may have come is not re-
membered by Others who, looking into the peace and
happiness that brighten their own homes, feel more
sure that these are to continue unbroken by the in
vasion of the plotting schemer,
Life has sorrows and separations, cares and bur
dens enough in the natural order without the intro
duction of these tragedies which blight and tarnsh
all within their influence
The purpose of The Call is accomplished, and
hereafter in all homes the danger signal flying
will be remembered, and momentous issues Of life
which always be, will have in their decision that
proper caution and sleepless vigilance upon which
future happiness and contentment must depend.
From all sides have come commentators
fathers and mothers have expressed their gratitude
and young women whose graces and gifts might mark
them as the spoil of the advenurer have repressed
their expressions of approval In of its aspects
the duty have discharged not pleasant; in
others it had certain elements of risk and danger
But none Of these deferred us in its timely discharge
and we are content with the result.