At the very least, men should exhibit toward women that same equality of consideration and recognition which is common among the brutes to their females. And if they but fully realized the truth, they would deeply reverence their women, who, with their more heavenly endowments and potentiality for motherhood, rightfully occupy the throne of Nature; and they would protect their mothers' sex with all their force and sympathy and influence. We maintain that the man who dishonors woman by the purchase of her virtue, by deceit, treachery, savagery, or ruffianism, falls short of the moral possibilities of the dog.
Travellers in Scotland have the custom, when they climb to the summit of a mountain, of casting a stone upon the "cairn," or heap of stones, which one will usually find there. Thus the pile grows and becomes more imposing. So by what is to come we hope to add somewhat to the upbuilding of an important landmark which is forever prominent in the landscape of every one.
It is vain to hope that improvement in morality will come about spontaneously, for truth and knowledge are useful only if spread broadcast. The medical profession, the true guardians of the public weal, are responsible for the dissemination of specific information on these matters; but their efforts at instruction must necessarily be met by some concentration of attention on the part of the layman, preferably critical rather than apathetic.
While many claim that these times are not so corrupt as those of past generations, yet we are suffering for sins which were then committed, and there is much discouraging reason to believe that abortions are more frequent, that unprotected women are more numerous and unsafe, that houses of assignation and ill-fame are more patronized, that venereal diseases are more prevalent; and he who runs may read in the daily press of our large cities advertisements of charlatans, abortionists, baby-farmers, and even of brothels for sexual perverts under the disguise of "baths and massage."
Impurity, vice and loathsome disease are brought before the eyes of even the tenderest and purest boys and girls by these shocking announcements; and in addition to this, a reservoir of erotic and subtly dangerous literature has burst forth in a hissing and horrible torrent which gushes out and threatens the nation, overwhelming such as are unfortunate in hereditary tendencies or in environment.
A community which will knowingly permit this has the elements of decay in it. In a quiet and dignified way it is our duty to discuss this question as man to man, while to remain silent would be to incur a criminal responsibility. We cannot pass our fellow-beings by, no matter how low they have fallen, as if their faces were but mere masks, but must stop to consider the brotherhood and sisterhood which exists between us.
If any of our readers are hostile, let us now agree to an armistice-all of us being quite familiar with the customary arguments which are offered in favor of pursuing the war on women-and perchance by the honorable truce we may be able to elaborate terms of peace.
Otherwise, if we can come to no agreement, if the physician is to be lightly dubbed a fool, let us separate. But before we come to our last review, when Death, who always triumphs, holds his court, when the bugle-call whose summons none can resist sounds out, let us compare notes and observe the sum-total of rewards and punishments which each has earned.
The enemy need no recruits, for their regiments are overcrowded ; but with some assurance we hope that the strongest and fittest and most genuine and manly will eventually wear the uniform of honor, and cause good principles to prevail.
If we must separate in disagreement, it is but fair to give the admonition that the unanimous voice of that observant profession which alone is qualified to know says that, irrespective of the harm you do to others, you are to beware lest you drink a potion foul as hell, and " fall a victim to a cureless ruin."