The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-12-14
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
The Viper in the Birds Nest.

evil.
1t may excite criticism to discuss a
subject so delicate. Yet the delcacy
or indelicacy does not consist in refer
ring to it, but in the existence of the
evil. That it does exist cannot be
doubted, out how to remedy it has per-
picked many. An ounce of prevention
is better than a pound of cure, but how
to make the ounce effective is the
question. What is the best way to
remedy this glazing evil?
If you want to learn geography or
history you do it by means of books
and teachers. A like means will in
struct the youth in necessary sexual
truths. Ignorance is not bliss in this
sphere. They will learn sometime if
not in proper way, thereby sad ex-
perience.
Parents, teachers and preachers
should combine to lift up the voice
against the iniqultous practices that
are slowly but surely running so many.
The time has come when preachers can
not be silent and guiltles. They are
sent forth to cry against all manner of
sin and wee. Shall false modesty ex-
cuse them on this question?
They preach against lying, stealing,
covetousness ETC., but dread to
touch Righteousness, lest they offend
some of their Pensioners. Almost
every vice comes within the range of
the clerical gatling gun, yet this one
escapes. They seem to be afraid to
speak against it, though it is making
fearful inroads In churches and homes.
It's vile thing that is as seductive as
Satan and as destructive as the pit.
1t is not fattering to ones ambition
to feel the possibility of offending those
whom he respects and admires by say
ing unpalatable truths, still it is better
to be true to convictions, than to policy;
better do right than put upon your con-
science burden of guilt on account of
duty shirked through fear or indiffer-
ence. The social sins are prevalent,
and to degree greater than is gener-
ally supposed they are carried on in
every community. They prevail in
spite of warnings and in the face of
knowledge of the results that must fol-
low such a course. Prostitution is on
the increase, but how could it be other
wise when a premium is put upon it and
some of the customs of the day and the
world favor the evil and drive many
into that awful life,
There are different phrases of this
subject but it will be impossible to
make any thing like ar exhaustive dis.
cussion of it. We can only intimate
some of the evil effects and caution all
against the monster evil and urge them
to lift up the standard against it.
Perhaps society has never been brought
to face a more difficult one yet the duty
remains to do what can be done to save
the Young from sorrow, and older ones
from guilt, that must sink them into
hell unless repented of are cleansed by
the blood of atonement.
If there is one sin above another that
degrades, destroys, units for useful
ness and fits for a hell on earth it is
that of sensuality. 1t may be insidu-
Gus and pleasant but it is all the more
dangerous. 1t sunk Sodom, it will de-
stroy the best city in the world. 1t
prepared the sodomities for all manner
of infamy, so it does today.
Sexual sin is an outrage on natures
ordinances. 1t is common to mankind
alone, and in this respect he sinks lower
than the brute, while the vice of all
sexual vices which deteriortaes- the race
and produces diseases, isthatof person
al fortifcation" as an eminent authority
calls it. Its effects are fatal to mind
and body and it IS especially dangerous
and sernicious because it attacks the
youth. Nor is it confined to any class,
but prevails almost universally among
high and low, rich and poor. No class
seems to be exempt from it.
| shall not make any sweeping de-
nunciations that cannot be proven, but
to tell only the unvarnished truth, and
| believe every reputable physician will
bear me out in what | say. If car
cass lies in the way or endangers the
health or comfort of the family, you
get It away as soon as possible. What
would you think of the may who says.
"Oh, it is so unpleasant, will just let
it alone; it will correct itself. By and
by it will cease to smell" So it will,
but not until it has contaminated the
air you breathe, poison the water you
drink and endanger the lives of all ex-
posed to it.
A thousand times more dangerous is
the social carcass that lies by the door
of every community while its horrid
stencil has gone into many of the homes,
and thousands of youths have succumb-
ed to its miasmatic influence. their
morals are being corrupted and through
ignorance of the effects of what prom