The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-17

appeal for commercial purposes TO the
curious morbid interest OF a class that
| Is being Increased daily by the artificial
stimulus OF suggestive and demoralix-
| ing shows.
We call attention TO the entire aues-
tioh that the above incident has
brought into prominence, as indicated
by the question that some have asked ::
why do you NO: oppose the shows
being given in Richmond that are posi-
lively immoral in themselves" We
desire 10 make IL plain that We most
emphatically do oppose them, and that
we believe the time has come when
the moral welfare OF the community
demands a suppression of the sugges-
tive shows that appeal to the prurient
interest Of the young. The real bear
ing OF this matter needs to be pointed
out
Just row the civilized world is being
aroused to the peril of the social evil.
Mr. Flexncr. in his recent report on
Prostitution in Europe for the bu-
reau Of social hygiene. utters this ms
hts last word. Civilization has
stripped fer life and death wres;e
with tuberculosis, alcohol and other
plaques 1t is ON the verge of a similar
struggle with the eraser forms OF
II must fling down the gauntlet to the
whole terrible thing. This will be the
real Contest---a contest that will tax
the courage. the self denial the faith,
the resources OF humanity to their ut
tefynost" Those who have follow ed
the Investigations and studies of the
social evil In this country and in En-
rope know that one thing has become
very evident. namely: that the com
mi alfxQtfnD pF vice and OF the ten
denotes thereto, it's artificial stimuia-
tion for gain. is the worst aspect of
the whole subject, a social crime the
most needless and the most preventable
in connection with an evil that Is
threatening the very foundations OF
society. We are we'll aware that the
publication OF public morals involves
long process of education and OF
moral regeneration. But we are very
sure the time has come for the moral
public TO insist that the lust for gain
shall not add it's artificial stimulus
and aegravation TO the growth OF this
open sore on the. social body
Pointing Ont Danger.
II is one question and not two
the eommercialization and artificial
stimulation of prostitution and the
cotnmercialization and artificial stimu
latian of the morbid curiosity and pra-
rent interest OF the young. whose pitt
full ignorance and weakness leaves
them too often to become the victims
Of their overstimuiated imagination
and impulses and of the perverted
ideals that have been pressed upon
then, by the public education In i'm
morality We allow in the form of pub
NC shows that are an ofense to de
cency and the moral sense of the COM
munity ut large.
1t Is the height of all folly to at
tempt TO dam or dry up this stream of
social ifnpuFity that Is threatening the
blood and brain and moral fiber of
the nation while We allow the sources
uf that stream TO be artlhcially and
Systematically stimulated by the lewd
show that traffiCs in the prurient In
terest of the young. that robs them of
their purity OF heart and prepares them
for the slaughter.
in the name Of public welfare, in
the name of our homes and OF the
moral safety OF our boys and girls.
and especially OF those who arc most
unprotected and weak, we desire to
point out a danger that liz threatening
the very foundations of public morality
and social purity, and we appeal to
those who have a moral conscience on
the subject, and who are awake TO the
peril of the Influences of which we
have spoken to lend their aid against
She present tendency To popularize in
dereney. and to idealize infamy-