Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-05

His Holiness the Pope Ha. Issued Several
Letters Against the lmmodcsty Of Modern
Woman. Garb. a New Orleans Father
Before Whom Came n Bride So Lightly
Arrayed That Her Outer Clothing Seemed
Only a ~DiaPhanous Envelope Ordered Her
1ome to Be Dressed Before He Would
Perform the Sacrament of Marriage.
will eventually thrust her back to her pos,-
ton in the days OF the Caesars and
ptolemies.
She is on trial.
Her capacity and willingness TO be a sub
stantial civilizing factor hang in 1udg-
ment. And, 10 repeat. there arc many
serious and good men who arc sorry TO
admit that they must suspend judgment in
view of the prevailing indecency to which
so many women arc contributing; sorry
TO admit that they are not yet sure OF be-
ing able to take women seriously, consider.
ing the widespread ~frivolity OF so many OF
that sex.
Doubtless many readers will think this
a much ado about nothing as if a GER
tain freedom Of dress was. after all. only
a rather more or less innocent feminine
prank or wh!msy. Possibly they arc right.
But. al least so far. | cannot see II that
way. | know enough (littlc though it be)
of history to know that indcccncy in fcmi.
nine attire has always gone hand in hand
with loose morals; that 1t was as much a
sign OF social corruption as the sacerdotal
robes are OF spiritual dignity and purity.
Clothes are not only a protection from cold
and heat. but are as well the outward ex-
preston Of q state of soul.
SO much so that you simply cannot pic
turc n Martha Washington of simpler DAYS
being CARRIED as any present-day dcbutanto
or opera.boX tenant; still less picture n
girl Of the days OF Roger Williams going
out into the street as any woman goes now.
Again, let me insist, | am not an author
ity on woman's dress. This subject is
really distasteful to me, precisely because
of It's unjust possible Implications. write
on II really out of the deepest regard for
all women and out OF Il sincere pity for
their weakness. My real object is 70 fry
to make them see. once and for all, that
they, as a sex, ere on trial before the world.
] wish them to make good and prove their
capacity as social factors. For. if they do
not. If the above described manifestations
OF frivolous indecency persist. am sorry
TO say that man will, sooner or later, take
- NJ irIi'S 80 generously given them
ny hlhl' ana reduce them again TO a con-
dition which had better be left uncx.
pressed.
Fundamentally, l believe in woman's ca.
phcity. To fix this firm belief I have only
10 recall the splendid work Of Christian
women from the days of Fabiola and Paula
on up TO Clare Of Assist and Teresa and>a
Mother Seton. But they worked along
mes which are regarded as obsolete by
me modern feminist, and so / suppose they
are too old-fashioned to occasion any sen.
sation. And such quiet women Of strength
Will always he with us, just as will all
quiet. strong and beneiicent things, like
the green grass and the calm moonlight
and the cooling winds that blow across a
bank of %violets." My doubts and the
doubts OF men like me concerning women
refer to this newer and modern and noisy
and indecent type that at present usurps
the right to represent their sex.