The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-03-23
A VITAL BOOK

Stokes Company. Publishers. New York.
This is book that has attracted very
wide attention both In Europe and an
America. This translation is OF the
third edition: but it is something unus,
snal in Europe for any book at ALL and
remarkable indeed for book OF this
character. to attain third edition. II
has been translated into French and
Italian we'll as into English.
The author bewails the growing de-
generacy of character and laxity of tho
modern world in the sex relations. He
does not believe that a sturdy. char
acter IS built upon indulgence, but on
the contrary, that confluence. chastity.
seJfrestraint. and Indeed asceticism, show
immensely better for the human race
ness of Indulgence, Indulgence he prop
erly calls weakness. and restraint.
strength
He pleads very strongly for rnonogamy,
not only the highest type of relation
between the sexes. but the only possible
type In a civilized Christian community.
lie holds that the common honesty that
ought 10 be the guide for men In all
walks Of life call for honesty. purity.
and the observance Of VOWS by men IN
all these relations Therein is the only
true morality, the only true soundness
Of character and upon this tho author
comments: ut has remained for our
@wn age to make a new morality out or
uncontrolled frivoty and loose passion,
and to obliterate, In the sexual sphere:
every distinction between strength OF
chara cter and its opposite"
He denonnces the erotic literature or
the day. He SAYS that this literature
dcbascs the moral standards and con-
fuses every ideal conception. As a
necessary consequenceof his position. he
saws. "the absolute rejection OF all sex
relationships outside OF marriage must
be demanded This because OF the sa-
credness of the obligation. and OF the
essential nature Of II. and OF the obi,
cations Incurred in the marriage VOW
He commends highly the position OF the
Catholic church upon the sacredness OF
marriage. and the mutual obligations OF
eXclusiveness entered Into in that rela-
tion- And with regard to those who
violate their marriage vows he says:
Those who yield TO their feelings at the
cost of the fidelity and responsibility
which hold all human society together
will always introduce into their erotic
relationships the curse OF dsloyal sell
iishness. and will see their life hence
forward marred by the same want OF
principle which has led them TO snatch
at their so-called happiness. Morality
is no artificial external law: its threats
and its promises only warn us OF the
actual consequences OF things. conse-
queuces which bring ali high-souled im-
agintngs into the dust.
Referring to The srosser elements. that
literature Of the day. the author says;
"But in truth in the conscience there
is expressed above all the fact that man
is not merely sexual being and an
erot'c process. but first and foremost a |
spiritual personality with ineradlcable |
spiritual and moral requirements" And
II.
measure Of responsibility. his strength
of mind and spiritual liberty. for the |
delights OF the moment without denying
thc whole dignity OF his manhood"
Passing 10 the general consideration OF
much vicious literature the author says:
To-day there is most unfortunate idea
prevalent TO the effect that the fixed
homogeneous marriage stands In oppo-
siton To the development OF society along
free lines. 1t is completely forgotten that
true progress does not consist In Sc
f.,r,Ht,, sp,aI
through = more perfect control OF the
lower self IN setting free the spiritual
center OF personality. truly free So
cietF cannot be built up except upon
The broad basis OF an Intelligent obe-
2ience. of voluntary subjection OF the
fn1pulslvitv Of the individual to the fixed
forms which give society its solidarity.
Tlese forms embody the experience and
wisdom Of the race. and serve the pur-
prse of BARRIERS compelling individuals
10 act in manner in harmony with the
general welfare Of society and with the
nc"ds and rights Of their neghbors.'
Further arguing on this point he SAYS:
"Ji must not be forgotten that when an
Individual is undisciplined. his lack of
sef-control is not simply matter con-
cerniuc himself alone. II leads directly
TO the oppression OF others The free
dom which each particular member of
a communtr Is able TO enjoy depends
upon the degree OF self-disciplne TO
which the other members have at
Asserting the right OF the child to have
"A pure father as %ell as pure mother.
he condemns with the utmost rlgor those
who argue against the homogeneous mar
riasc. for greater freedom in sexual rela-
tions, and shows that the result OF their
in their children which condemns the
very individuality for which they con-
tend
In discussing the value of the monoga-
nous ideal, he puts this question: Which
type OF relationship Is best adapted Tor
the deepening and Strengthening OF our
whole social life; which is best able in |
every relationship of life. TO produce the
maximum amount of sense of RESPONSE
bility. OF self-denial, and OF self-sacrifice,
willie working most effectively against all
undlsclipined selfishness and changeful
frivolity?" The answer TO this question is
unquest!onably, emphatically. and always,
the monogamlc relationship, not merely
on account OF the sacred obligations In
CURED In entering into II, but on account
of its social. educational, and discipll.
nary value There is question at all |
but that this answer Is the correct one.
Further discussing this proposition. the /
author says: THE discipline demanded |
by the homogeneous Ideal Is today wide
ly looked upon as not only impracticable
but monstrous. The time will come when
it will be much part Of complete
manhood az any other kind Of honorable |
think OF recommending. in the name Of
health sexual Intercourse outside mar
riage. as he would now think OF advising |
poor workmen to resort to theft. The |
homogeneous marriage, as tho sole right
ful form of sex relationship. is nothing |
more than an application in the sphere |
OF sex OF that supremacy Of conscience !
which is admitted in all other depart
ments of life The character-destroying I
and will and nerve-weakening influence !
OF sexual immortality rests upon the fact !
that In all such practices we find our
selves in contradiction with our own |
truest selves"
Clinching further his proposition In ia |
vor Of monogamy he says: ''We have al |
ready referred to the assertion that strict |
form, We maintain. on the other hand !
that precisely on account of the educa- !,
tional value OF monogamy. society will be |
compelled. more and more. TO take its |
stand upon a monogamio basis. All other |
forms Of sex-relatonship have disinte-
grating effect upon character. Monog- |
amy alone Is an education In constancy. |
In concentration OF feeling. and In WILL |
power, 1t thus exerts a deepening and |
strengthening Influence throughout tine |
whole society an influence which affects |
all the relationships into which human |
beings eufer'