New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-05
Times DECADENT,
SAYS RABBI WISE
Clergyman Bitterly Assails
Our Modern" Dances
and Manners.
"WOMEN COPYING
FASHIONS OF HAREM'
Nothing Could Be Moe Serious
to Democracy than Lowered
Standards, He Ayers.

Pessimism seemed to prevail rs the
keynote in Rabbi Wise's address al Car
ncCic Han Yesterday morning. though ne
pointed out tine way 10 overcome the
troubles which he thinks are now So
ciety's greatest enemies
lie nauv stated that the standard OF
womanhood had been lowered and that
the dances and manners Of the time were
decadent.
IN the course o. his address on ARE
the Manners and Morals Of Our Time
Decadent?" the rabbi said
Ny objection to so-called modern
Dancing arises out OF the belief shared BY
many that it is only phase of the wide
spread social deterioration which we see
about MS Nothing could be more seri-
ous TO democracy than that general
lowering Of standards. that widespread
dehasement Of tone. the evidences OF
which are many and Multiplying.
Not only does clean dancing seem TO
have passed. Int even decent walking Is
much too rare one is nauseated by the
spectacle Of women walking in sugGeS-
tive and vulgar fashion. There is much
about tho manner and the matter OF
uomanhood to-day that suggests
lowered attitude toward life. The women
of the streets. and not merely the women
Of the streets. look as II they would copy
the fashion OF the creatures OF the harem
save that they lack the modesty OF the
wor,en Of the harem to be seen IN East
ern lands The theatre bat renects the
atmosphere of our day. some OF IT hne
and Of high purpose. but more OF It pam
derng TO tastes diseased and decadent
No sane man would helittle the JOYS
Of life nor cloud the brightness Of LIES
sweet and wholesome pleasures. But
tina, is not Joy nor gladness which, in the
euise Of modern dancing. can be had only
AT the cost Of lifes finest and tenderest
sarctities.
Nearly all men and women were
shocked when these wretched dances
were perpetrated for the first time. If
one we're to enter New York ballroom
to-day for the first time after ten years
absence he would be struck dumb and
SPECIFICS with disgust and astonishment
at the degeneration which has come to
pass within little time.
THAT older people indulge in the new
type Of dancing excuses neither the dam
cling nor the fools of an older growth
who suffer themselves TO be enticed by
IFS low and vulgar fascination. Modern
dancing is popular, not because OF It's
grace but because Of its appeal 10 our
lower nature.
There are times when il is the busl-
ness Of parents 10 be rigid toward their
children with regard 10 moral perlls-
such things as are degrading TO man.
hood and debasng 10 womanhood; but
they cannot hope 10 succeed in bringing
their sons and daughters TO a rightful
and decent point OF view unless In their
own lives they have shown n devotion 10
thines that are fine and worth While
IF n be true. az it IS true. that there
arc mothers who virtually cons'rain their
dauehters TO indulge in modern dancing
which I cannot but feel must be revolt
inC to the soul Of a pure woman, then IL
becomes the business. IL needs must. oil
Young women 10 say 10 their mothers:
shall not be forced to do the thing which
j IS dDnOIrtnt 10 NY SOuI - " P'' o."
such obedience owing az involves an
adult son or daughter In the doing OF
things that are morally unclean.
Happily. there are fine young men and
women who stand out in revolt AGAINST
this deprav witty. Courage will be required
IL this disease or dellrium is successfully
tC be overcome. People must face the
threatened ostracism which faces those
who refuse to indulge in this newest form
Of vulgaritv. Women VINO set out 10
rescue their fallen sisters use these
dances The most urgent thing to be
done Is 10 rescue milionairedom and Its
servile imitators from the ritaldry OF
modern dancing.
"A woman must learn To say: II !
have 10 dance these dances TO 20 into So
cietv. I will not go into society. Society
shall not exact from me my self-re-
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