第5章　

HadFerreractuallyorganizedtheriots，hadhefoughtonthebarricades，hadhehurledahundredbombs，hecouldnothavebeensodangeroustotheCatholicChurchandtodespotism，aswithhisoppositiontodisciplineandrestraint。Disciplineandrestraint——aretheynotbackofalltheevilsintheworld？

Slavery，submission，poverty，allmisery，allsocialiniquitiesresultfromdisciplineandrestraint。Indeed，Ferrerwasdangerous。

Thereforehehadtodie，Octoberthirteenth，1909，intheditchofMontjuich。Yetwhodaresayhisdeathwasinvain？Inviewofthetempestuousriseofuniversalindignation:ItalynamingstreetsinmemoryofFranciscoFerrer，Belgiuminauguratingamovementtoerectamemorial；Francecallingtothefronthermostillustriousmentoresumetheheritageofthemartyr；Englandbeingthefirsttoissueabiography:——allcountriesunitinginperpetuatingthegreatworkofFranciscoFerrer；America，even，tardyalwaysinprogressiveideas，givingbirthtoaFranciscoFerrerAssociation，itsaimbeingtopublishacompletelifeofFerrerandtoorganizeModernSchoolsalloverthecountry；inthefaceofthisinternationalrevolutionarywave，whoistheretosayFerrerdiedinvain？

ThatdeathatMontjuich，——howwonderful，howdramaticitwas，howitstirsthehumansoul。Proudanderect，theinnereyeturnedtowardthelight，FranciscoFerrerneedednolyingprieststogivehimcourage，nordidheupbraidaphantomforforsakinghim。Theconsciousnessthathisexecutionersrepresentedadyingage，andthathiswasthelivingtruth，sustainedhiminthelastheroicmoments。

Adyingageandalivingtruth，Thelivingburyingthedead。

THEHYPOCRISYOFPURITANISM

SpeakingofPuritanisminrelationtoAmericanart，Mr。GutzenBurglumsaid:"Puritanismhasmadeusself-centeredandhypocriticalforsolong，thatsincerityandreverenceforwhatisnaturalinourimpulseshavebeenfairlybredoutofus，withtheresultthattherecanbeneithertruthnorindividualityinourart。"

Mr。BurglummighthaveaddedthatPuritanismhasmadelifeitselfimpossible。Morethanart，morethanestheticism，liferepresentsbeautyinathousandvariations；itis，indeed，agiganticpanoramaofeternalchange。Puritanism，ontheotherhand，restsonafixedandimmovableconceptionoflife；itisbasedontheCalvinisticideathatlifeisacurse，imposeduponmanbythewrathofGod。Inordertoredeemhimselfmanmustdoconstantpenance，mustrepudiateeverynaturalandhealthyimpulse，andturnhisbackonjoyandbeauty。

PuritanismcelebrateditsreignofterrorinEnglandduringthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies，destroyingandcrushingeverymanifestationofartandculture。ItwasthespiritofPuritanismwhichrobbedShelleyofhischildren，becausehewouldnotbowtothedictaofreligion。ItwasthesamenarrowspiritwhichalienatedByronfromhisnativeland，becausethatgreatgeniusrebelledagainstthemonotony，dullness，andpettinessofhiscountry。ItwasPuritanism，too，thatforcedsomeofEngland’sfreestwomenintotheconventionallieofmarriage:MaryWollstonecraftand，later，GeorgeEliot。AndrecentlyPuritanismhasdemandedanothertoll——thelifeofOscarWilde。Infact，PuritanismhasneverceasedtobethemostperniciousfactorinthedomainofJohnBull，actingascensoroftheartisticexpressionofhispeople，andstampingitsapprovalonlyonthedullnessofmiddle-classrespectability。

ItisthereforesheerBritishjingoismwhichpointstoAmericaasthecountryofPuritanicprovincialism。ItisquitetruethatourlifeisstuntedbyPuritanism，andthatthelatteriskillingwhatisnaturalandhealthyinourimpulses。ButitisequallytruethatitistoEnglandthatweareindebtedfortransplantingthisspiritonAmericansoil。ItwasbequeathedtousbythePilgrimfathers。

Fleeingfrompersecutionandoppression，thePilgrimsofMayflowerfameestablishedintheNewWorldareignofPuritanictyrannyandcrime。ThehistoryofNewEngland，andespeciallyofMassachusetts，isfullofthehorrorsthathaveturnedlifeintogloom，joyintodespair，naturalnessintodisease，honestyandtruthintohideousliesandhypocrisies。Theducking-stoolandwhippingpost，aswellasnumerousotherdevicesoftorture，werethefavoriteEnglishmethodsforAmericanpurification。

Boston，thecityofculture，hasgonedownintheannalsofPuritanismasthe"BloodyTown。"ItrivaledSalem，even，inhercruelpersecutionofunauthorizedreligiousopinions。OnthenowfamousCommonahalf-nakedwoman，withababyinherarms，waspubliclywhippedforthecrimeoffreespeech；andonthesamespotMaryDyer，anotherQuakerwoman，washangedin1659。Infact，BostonhasbeenthesceneofmorethanonewantoncrimecommittedbyPuritanism。Salem，inthesummerof1692，killedeighteenpeopleforwitchcraft。NorwasMassachusettsaloneindrivingoutthedevilbyfireandbrimstone。AsCanningjustlysaid:"ThePilgrimfathersinfestedtheNewWorldtoredressthebalanceoftheOld。"ThehorrorsofthatperiodhavefoundtheirmostsupremeexpressionintheAmericanclassic，THESCARLETLETTER。

Puritanismnolongeremploysthethumbscrewandlash；butitstillhasamostperniciousholdonthemindsandfeelingsoftheAmericanpeople。NaughtelsecanexplainthepowerofaComstock。LiketheTorquemadasofante-bellumdays，AnthonyComstockistheautocratofAmericanmorals；hedictatesthestandardsofgoodandevil，ofpurityandvice。Likeathiefinthenighthesneaksintotheprivatelivesofthepeople，intotheirmostintimaterelations。

ThesystemofespionageestablishedbythismanComstockputstoshametheinfamousThirdDivisionoftheRussiansecretpolice。Whydoesthepublictoleratesuchanoutrageonitsliberties？SimplybecauseComstockisbuttheloudexpressionofthePuritanismbredintheAnglo-Saxonblood，andfromwhosethraldomevenliberalshavenotsucceededinfullyemancipatingthemselves。ThevisionlessandleadenelementsoftheoldYoungMen’sandWomen’sChristianTemperanceUnions，PurityLeagues，AmericanSabbathUnions，andtheProhibitionParty，withAnthonyComstockastheirpatronsaint，arethegravediggersofAmericanartandculture。

Europecanatleastboastofaboldartandliteraturewhichdelvedeeplyintothesocialandsexualproblemsofourtime，exercisingaseverecritiqueofallourshams。Aswithasurgeon’sknifeeveryPuritaniccarcassisdissected，andthewaythusclearedforman’sliberationfromthedeadweightsofthepast。ButwithPuritanismastheconstantcheckuponAmericanlife，neithertruthnorsincerityispossible。Nothingbutgloomandmediocritytodictatehumanconduct，curtailnaturalexpression，andstifleourbestimpulses。

PuritanisminthisthetwentiethcenturyisasmuchtheenemyoffreedomandbeautyasitwaswhenitlandedonPlymouthRock。Itrepudiates，assomethingvileandsinful，ourdeepestfeelings；butbeingabsolutelyignorantastotherealfunctionsofhumanemotions，Puritanismisitselfthecreatorofthemostunspeakablevices。

Theentirehistoryofasceticismprovesthistobeonlytootrue。

TheChurch，aswellasPuritanism，hasfoughtthefleshassomethingevil；ithadtobesubduedandhiddenatallcost。Theresultofthisviciousattitudeisonlynowbeginningtoberecognizedbymodernthinkersandeducators。Theyrealizethat"nakednesshasahygienicvalueaswellasaspiritualsignificance，farbeyonditsinfluencesinallayingthenaturalinquisitivenessoftheyoungoractingasapreventativeofmorbidemotion。Itisaninspirationtoadultswhohavelongoutgrownanyyouthfulcuriosities。Thevisionoftheessentialandeternalhumanform，thenearestthingtousinalltheworld，withitsvigoranditsbeautyanditsgrace，isoneoftheprimetonicsoflife。"*Butthespiritofpurismhassopervertedthehumanmindthatithaslostthepowertoappreciatethebeautyofnudity，forcingustohidethenaturalformunderthepleaofchastity。Yetchastityitselfisbutanartificialimpositionuponnature，expressiveofafalseshameofthehumanform。Themodernideaofchastity，especiallyinreferencetowoman，itsgreatestvictim，isbutthesensuousexaggerationofournaturalimpulses。

"Chastityvarieswiththeamountofclothing，"andhenceChristiansandpuristsforeverhastentocoverthe"heathen"withtatters，andthusconverthimtogoodnessandchastity——

*THEPSYCHOLOGYOFSEX。HavelockEllis——

Puritanism，withitsperversionofthesignificanceandfunctionsofthehumanbody，especiallyinregardtowoman，hascondemnedhertocelibacy，ortotheindiscriminatebreedingofadiseasedrace，ortoprostitution。Theenormityofthiscrimeagainsthumanityisapparentwhenweconsidertheresults。Absolutesexualcontinenceisimposedupontheunmarriedwoman，underpainofbeingconsideredimmoralorfallen，withtheresultofproducingneurasthenia，impotence，depression，andagreatvarietyofnervouscomplaintsinvolvingdiminishedpowerofwork，limitedenjoymentoflife，sleeplessness，andpreoccupationwithsexualdesiresandimaginings。

Thearbitraryandperniciousdictumoftotalcontinenceprobablyalsoexplainsthementalinequalityofthesexes。ThusFreudbelievesthattheintellectualinferiorityofsomanywomenisduetotheinhibitionofthoughtimposeduponthemforthepurposeofsexualrepression。Havingthussuppressedthenaturalsexdesiresoftheunmarriedwoman，Puritanism，ontheotherhand，blesseshermarriedsisterforincontinentfruitfulnessinwedlock。Indeed，notmerelyblessesher，butforcesthewoman，oversexedbypreviousrepression，tobearchildren，irrespectiveofweakenedphysicalconditionoreconomicinabilitytorearalargefamily。Prevention，evenbyscientificallydeterminedsafemethods，isabsolutelyprohibited；

nay，theverymentionofthesubjectisconsideredcriminal。

ThankstothisPuritanictyranny，themajorityofwomensoonfindthemselvesattheebboftheirphysicalresources。Illandworn，theyareutterlyunabletogivetheirchildrenevenelementarycare。

That，addedtoeconomicpressure，forcesmanywomentoriskutmostdangerratherthancontinuetobringforthlife。ThecustomofprocuringabortionshasreachedsuchvastproportionsinAmericaastobealmostbeyondbelief。Accordingtorecentinvestigationsalongthisline，seventeenabortionsarecommittedineveryhundredpregnancies。Thisfearfulpercentagerepresentsonlycaseswhichcometotheknowledgeofphysicians。Consideringthesecrecyinwhichthispracticeisnecessarilyshrouded，andtheconsequentprofessionalinefficiencyandneglect，Puritanismcontinuouslyexactsthousandsofvictimstoitsownstupidityandhypocrisy。

Prostitution，althoughhounded，imprisoned，andchained，isneverthelessthegreatesttriumphofPuritanism。Itisitsmostcherishedchild，allhypocriticalsanctimoniousnessnotwithstanding。

Theprostituteisthefuryofourcentury，sweepingacrossthe"civilized"countrieslikeahurricane，andleavingatrailofdiseaseanddisaster。TheonlyremedyPuritanismoffersforthisill-begottenchildisgreaterrepressionandmoremercilesspersecution。ThelatestoutrageisrepresentedbythePageLaw，whichimposesuponNewYorktheterriblefailureandcrimeofEurope；

namely，registrationandsegregationoftheunfortunatevictimsofPuritanism。Inequallystupidmannerpurismseekstochecktheterriblescourgeofitsowncreation——venerealdiseases。Mostdishearteningitisthatthisspiritofobtusenarrow-mindednesshaspoisonedevenourso-calledliberals，andhasblindedthemintojoiningthecrusadeagainsttheverythingsbornofthehypocrisyofPuritanism——prostitutionanditsresults。InwilfulblindnessPuritanismrefusestoseethatthetruemethodofpreventionistheonewhichmakesitcleartoallthat"venerealdiseasesarenotamysteriousorterriblething，thepenaltyofthesinoftheflesh，asortofshamefulevilbrandedbypuristmalediction，butanordinarydiseasewhichmaybetreatedandcured。"Byitsmethodsofobscurity，disguise，andconcealment，Puritanismhasfurnishedfavorableconditionsforthegrowthandspreadofthesediseases。

ItsbigotryisagainmoststrikinglydemonstratedbythesenselessattitudeinregardtothegreatdiscoveryofProf。Ehrlich，hypocrisyveilingtheimportantcureforsyphiliswithvagueallusionstoaremedyfor"acertainpoison。"

ThealmostlimitlesscapacityofPuritanismforevilisduetoitsintrenchmentbehindtheStateandthelaw。Pretendingtosafeguardthepeopleagainst"immorality，"ithasimpregnatedthemachineryofgovernmentandaddedtoitsusurpationofmoralguardianshipthelegalcensorshipofourviews，feelings，andevenofourconduct。

Art，literature，thedrama，theprivacyofthemails，infact，ourmostintimatetastes，areatthemercyofthisinexorabletyrant。

AnthonyComstock，orsomeotherequallyignorantpoliceman，hasbeengivenpowertodesecrategenius，tosoilandmutilatethesublimestcreationofnature——thehumanform。Booksdealingwiththemostvitalissuesofourlives，andseekingtoshedlightupondangerouslyobscuredproblems，arelegallytreatedascriminaloffenses，andtheirhelplessauthorsthrownintoprisonordriventodestructionanddeath。

NoteveninthedomainoftheTsarispersonallibertydailyoutragedtotheextentitisinAmerica，thestrongholdofthePuritaniceunuchs。Heretheonlydayofrecreationlefttothemasses，Sunday，hasbeenmadehideousandutterlyimpossible。AllwritersonprimitivecustomsandancientcivilizationagreethattheSabbathwasadayoffestivities，freefromcareandduties，adayofgeneralrejoicingandmerry-making。IneveryEuropeancountrythistraditioncontinuestobringsomerelieffromthehumdrumandstupidityofourChristianera。Everywhereconcerthalls，theaters，museums，andgardensarefilledwithmen，women，andchildren，particularlyworkerswiththeirfamilies，fulloflifeandjoy，forgetfuloftheordinaryrulesandconventionsoftheirevery-dayexistence。Itisonthatdaythatthemassesdemonstratewhatlifemightreallymeaninasanesociety，withworkstrippedofitsprofit-making，soul-destroyingpurpose。

Puritanismhasrobbedthepeopleevenofthatoneday。Naturally，onlytheworkersareaffected:ourmillionaireshavetheirluxurioushomesandelaborateclubs。Thepoor，however，arecondemnedtothemonotonyanddullnessoftheAmericanSunday。ThesociabilityandfunofEuropeanoutdoorlifeishereexchangedforthegloomofthechurch，thestuffy，germ-saturatedcountryparlor，orthebrutalizingatmosphereoftheback-roomsaloon。InProhibitionStatesthepeoplelackeventhelatter，unlesstheycaninvesttheirmeagerearningsinquantitiesofadulteratedliquor。AstoProhibition，everyoneknowswhatafarceitreallyis。LikeallotherachievementsofPuritanismit，too，hasbutdriventhe"devil"deeperintothehumansystem。

NowhereelsedoesonemeetsomanydrunkardsasinourProhibitiontowns。Butsolongasonecanusescentedcandytoabatethefoulbreathofhypocrisy，Puritanismistriumphant。OstensiblyProhibitionisopposedtoliquorforreasonsofhealthandeconomy，buttheveryspiritofProhibitionbeingitselfabnormal，itsucceedsbutincreatinganabnormallife。

Everystimuluswhichquickenstheimaginationandraisesthespirits，isasnecessarytoourlifeasair。Itinvigoratesthebody，anddeepensourvisionofhumanfellowship。Withoutstimuli，inoneformoranother，creativeworkisimpossible，norindeedthespiritofkindlinessandgenerosity。Thefactthatsomegreatgeniuseshaveseentheirreflectioninthegoblettoofrequently，doesnotjustifyPuritanisminattemptingtofetterthewholegamutofhumanemotions。

AByronandaPoehavestirredhumanitydeeperthanallthePuritanscaneverhopetodo。Theformerhavegiventolifemeaningandcolor；thelatterareturningredbloodintowater，beautyintougliness，varietyintouniformityanddecay。Puritanism，inwhateverexpression，isapoisonousgerm。Onthesurfaceeverythingmaylookstrongandvigorous；yetthepoisonworksitswaypersistently，untiltheentirefabricisdoomed。WithHippolyteTaine，everytrulyfreespirithascometorealizethat"Puritanismisthedeathofculture，philosophy，humor，andgoodfellowship；itscharacteristicsaredullness，monotony，andgloom。"

THETRAFFICINWOMEN

Ourreformershavesuddenlymadeagreatdiscovery——thewhiteslavetraffic。Thepapersarefullofthese"unheardofconditions，"andlawmakersarealreadyplanninganewsetoflawstocheckthehorror。

Itissignificantthatwheneverthepublicmindistobedivertedfromagreatsocialwrong，acrusadeisinauguratedagainstindecency，gambling，saloons，etc。Andwhatistheresultofsuchcrusades？Gamblingisincreasing，saloonsaredoingalivelybusinessthroughbackentrances，prostitutionisatitsheight，andthesystemofpimpsandcadetsisbutaggravated。

Howisitthataninstitution，knownalmosttoeverychild，shouldhavebeendiscoveredsosuddenly？Howisitthatthisevil，knowntoallsociologists，shouldnowbemadesuchanimportantissue？

Toassumethattherecentinvestigationofthewhiteslavetraffic(and，bytheway，averysuperficialinvestigation)hasdiscoveredanythingnew，is，tosaytheleast，veryfoolish。Prostitutionhasbeen，andis，awidespreadevil，yetmankindgoesonitsbusiness，perfectlyindifferenttothesufferingsanddistressofthevictimsofprostitution。Asindifferent，indeed，asmankindhasremainedtoourindustrialsystem，ortoeconomicprostitution。

Onlywhenhumansorrowsareturnedintoatoywithglaringcolorswillbabypeoplebecomeinterested——forawhileatleast。Thepeopleareaveryficklebabythatmusthavenewtoyseveryday。The"righteous"cryagainstthewhiteslavetrafficissuchatoy。Itservestoamusethepeopleforalittlewhile，anditwillhelptocreateafewmorefatpoliticaljobs——parasiteswhostalkabouttheworldasinspectors，investigators，detectives，andsoforth。

Whatisreallythecauseofthetradeinwomen？Notmerelywhitewomen，butyellowandblackwomenaswell。Exploitation，ofcourse；

themercilessMolochofcapitalismthatfattensonunderpaidlabor，thusdrivingthousandsofwomenandgirlsintoprostitution。WithMrs。Warrenthesegirlsfeel，"Whywasteyourlifeworkingforafewshillingsaweekinascullery，eighteenhoursaday？"

Naturallyourreformerssaynothingaboutthiscause。Theyknowitwellenough，butitdoesn’tpaytosayanythingaboutit。ItismuchmoreprofitabletoplaythePharisee，topretendanoutragedmorality，thantogotothebottomofthings。

However，thereisonecommendableexceptionamongtheyoungwriters:

ReginaldWrightKauffman，whosework，THEHOUSEOFBONDAGE，isthefirstearnestattempttotreatthesocialevil，notfromasentimentalPhilistineviewpoint。Ajournalistofwideexperience，Mr。Kauffmanprovesthatourindustrialsystemleavesmostwomennoalternativeexceptprostitution。ThewomenportrayedinTHEHOUSEOF

BONDAGEbelongtotheworkingclass。Hadtheauthorportrayedthelifeofwomeninotherspheres，hewouldhavebeenconfrontedwiththesamestateofaffairs。

Nowhereiswomantreatedaccordingtothemeritofherwork，butratherasasex。Itisthereforealmostinevitablethatsheshouldpayforherrighttoexist，tokeepapositioninwhateverline，withsexfavors。Thusitismerelyaquestionofdegreewhethershesellsherselftooneman，inoroutofmarriage，ortomanymen。Whetherourreformersadmititornot，theeconomicandsocialinferiorityofwomanisresponsibleforprostitution。

JustatpresentourgoodpeopleareshockedbythedisclosuresthatinNewYorkCityalone，oneoutofeverytenwomenworksinafactory，thattheaveragewagereceivedbywomenissixdollarsperweekforforty-eighttosixtyhoursofwork，andthatthemajorityoffemalewageworkersfacemanymonthsofidlenesswhichleavestheaveragewageabout$280ayear。Inviewoftheseeconomichorrors，isittobewonderedatthatprostitutionandthewhiteslavetradehavebecomesuchdominantfactors？

Lesttheprecedingfiguresbeconsideredanexaggeration，itiswelltoexaminewhatsomeauthoritiesonprostitutionhavetosay:

"Aprolificcauseoffemaledepravitycanbefoundintheseveraltables，showingthedescriptionoftheemploymentpursued，andthewagesreceived，bythewomenprevioustotheirfall，anditwillbeaquestionforthepoliticaleconomisttodecidehowfarmerebusinessconsiderationshouldbeanapologyonthepartofemployersforareductionintheirratesofremuneration，andwhetherthesavingsofasmallpercentageonwagesisnotmorethancounter-balancedbytheenormousamountoftaxationenforcedonthepublicatlargetodefraytheexpensesincurredonaccountofasystemofvice，WHICHISTHE

DIRECTRESULT，INMANYCASES，OFINSUFFICIENTCOMPENSATIONOFHONEST

LABOR。"*——

*Dr。Sanger，THEHISTORYOFPROSTITUTION——

Ourpresent-dayreformerswoulddowelltolookintoDr。Sanger’sbook。Theretheywillfindthatoutof2，000casesunderhisobservation，butfewcamefromthemiddleclasses，fromwell-orderedconditions，orpleasanthomes。Byfarthelargestmajoritywereworkinggirlsandworkingwomen；somedrivenintoprostitutionthroughsheerwant，othersbecauseofacruel，wretchedlifeathome，othersagainbecauseofthwartedandcrippledphysicalnatures(ofwhichIshallspeaklateron)。Alsoitwilldothemaintainersofpurityandmoralitygoodtolearnthatoutoftwothousandcases，490

weremarriedwomen，womenwholivedwiththeirhusbands。Evidentlytherewasnotmuchofaguarantyfortheir"safetyandpurity"inthesanctityofmarriage。*——

*ItisasignificantfactthatDr。Sanger’sbookhasbeenexcludedfromtheU。S。mails。Evidentlytheauthoritiesarenotanxiousthatthepublicbeinformedastothetruecauseofprostitution——

Dr。AlfredBlaschko，inPROSTITUTIONINTHENINETEENTHCENTURY，isevenmoreemphaticincharacterizingeconomicconditionsasoneofthemostvitalfactorsofprostitution。

"Althoughprostitutionhasexistedinallages，itwaslefttothenineteenthcenturytodevelopitintoagiganticsocialinstitution。

Thedevelopmentofindustrywithvastmassesofpeopleinthecompetitivemarket，thegrowthandcongestionoflargecities，theinsecurityanduncertaintyofemployment，hasgivenprostitutionanimpetusneverdreamedofatanyperiodinhumanhistory。"

AndagainHavelockEllis，whilenotsoabsoluteindealingwiththeeconomiccause，isneverthelesscompelledtoadmitthatitisindirectlyanddirectlythemaincause。Thushefindsthatalargepercentageofprostitutesisrecruitedfromtheservantclass，althoughthelatterhavelesscareandgreatersecurity。Ontheotherhand，Mr。Ellisdoesnotdenythatthedailyroutine，thedrudgery，themonotonyoftheservantgirl’slot，andespeciallythefactthatshemayneverpartakeofthecompanionshipandjoyofahome，isnomeanfactorinforcinghertoseekrecreationandforgetfulnessinthegaietyandglimmerofprostitution。Inotherwords，theservantgirl，beingtreatedasadrudge，neverhavingtherighttoherself，andwornoutbythecapricesofhermistress，canfindanoutlet，likethefactoryorshopgirl，onlyinprostitution。

Themostamusingsideofthequestionnowbeforethepublicistheindignationofour"good，respectablepeople，"especiallythevariousChristiangentlemen，whoarealwaystobefoundinthefrontranksofeverycrusade。Isitthattheyareabsolutelyignorantofthehistoryofreligion，andespeciallyoftheChristianreligion？OrisitthattheyhopetoblindthepresentgenerationtothepartplayedinthepastbytheChurchinrelationtoprostitution？Whatevertheirreason，theyshouldbethelasttocryoutagainsttheunfortunatevictimsoftoday，sinceitisknowntoeveryintelligentstudentthatprostitutionisofreligiousorigin，maintainedandfosteredformanycenturies，notasashamebutasavirtue，hailedassuchbytheGodsthemselves。

"Itwouldseemthattheoriginofprostitutionistobefoundprimarilyinareligiouscustom，religion，thegreatconserverofsocialtradition，preservinginatransformedshapeaprimitivefreedomthatwaspassingoutofthegeneralsociallife。ThetypicalexampleisthatrecordedbyHerodotus，inthefifthcenturybeforeChrist，attheTempleofMylitta，theBabylonianVenus，whereeverywoman，onceinherlife，hadtocomeandgiveherselftothefirststranger，whothrewacoininherlap，toworshipthegoddess。VerysimilarcustomsexistedinotherpartsofWesternAsia，inNorthAfrica，inCyprus，andotherislandsoftheEasternMediterranean，andalsoinGreece，wherethetempleofAphroditeonthefortatCorinthpossessedoverathousandhierodules，dedicatedtotheserviceofthegoddess。

"Thetheorythatreligiousprostitutiondeveloped，asageneralrule，outofthebeliefthatthegenerativeactivityofhumanbeingspossessedamysteriousandsacredinfluenceinpromotingthefertilityofNature，ismaintainedbyallauthoritativewritersonthesubject。Gradually，however，andwhenprostitutionbecameanorganizedinstitutionunderpriestlyinfluence，religiousprostitutiondevelopedutilitariansides，thushelpingtoincreasepublicrevenue。

"TheriseofChristianitytopoliticalpowerproducedlittlechangeinpolicy。TheleadingfathersoftheChurchtoleratedprostitution。

Brothelsundermunicipalprotectionarefoundinthethirteenthcentury。Theyconstitutedasortofpublicservice，thedirectorsofthembeingconsideredalmostaspublicservants。"*——

*HavelockEllis，SEXANDSOCIETY——

TothismustbeaddedthefollowingfromDr。Sanger’swork:

"PopeClementII。issuedabullthatprostituteswouldbetoleratediftheypayacertainamountoftheirearningstotheChurch。

"PopeSixtusIV。wasmorepractical；fromonesinglebrothel，whichhehimselfhadbuilt，hereceivedanincomeof20，000ducats。"

InmoderntimestheChurchisalittlemorecarefulinthatdirection。Atleastshedoesnotopenlydemandtributefromprostitutes。Shefindsitmuchmoreprofitabletogoinforrealestate，likeTrinityChurch，forinstance，torentoutdeathtrapsatanexorbitantpricetothosewholiveoffandbyprostitution。

MuchasIshouldliketo，myspacewillnotadmitspeakingofprostitutioninEgypt，Greece，Rome，andduringtheMiddleAges。Theconditionsinthelatterperiodareparticularlyinteresting，inasmuchasprostitutionwasorganizedintoguilds，presidedoverbyabrothelQueen。Theseguildsemployedstrikesasamediumofimprovingtheirconditionandkeepingastandardprice。Certainlythatismorepracticalamethodthantheoneusedbythemodernwageslaveinsociety。

Itwouldbeone-sidedandextremelysuperficialtomaintainthattheeconomicfactoristheonlycauseofprostitution。Thereareothersnolessimportantandvital。That，too，ourreformersknow，butdarediscussevenlessthantheinstitutionthatsapstheverylifeoutofbothmenandwomen。Irefertothesexquestion，theverymentionofwhichcausesmostpeoplemoralspasms。

Itisaconcededfactthatwomanisbeingrearedasasexcommodity，andyetsheiskeptinabsoluteignoranceofthemeaningandimportanceofsex。Everythingdealingwiththesubjectissuppressed，andpersonswhoattempttobringlightintothisterribledarknessarepersecutedandthrownintoprison。Yetitisneverthelesstruethatsolongasagirlisnottoknowhowtotakecareofherself，nottoknowthefunctionofthemostimportantpartofherlife，weneednotbesurprisedifshebecomesaneasypreytoprostitution，ortoanyotherformofarelationshipwhichdegradeshertothepositionofanobjectformeresexgratification。

Itisduetothisignorancethattheentirelifeandnatureofthegirlisthwartedandcrippled。Wehavelongagotakenitasaself-evidentfactthattheboymayfollowthecallofthewild；thatistosay，thattheboymay，assoonhashissexnatureassertsitself，satisfythatnature；butourmoralistsarescandalizedattheverythoughtthatthenatureofagirlshouldassertitself。Tothemoralistprostitutiondoesnotconsistsomuchinthefactthatthewomansellsherbody，butratherthatshesellsitoutofwedlock。

Thatthisisnomerestatementisprovedbythefactthatmarriageformonetaryconsiderationsisperfectlylegitimate，sanctifiedbylawandpublicopinion，whileanyotherunioniscondemnedandrepudiated。Yetaprostitute，ifproperlydefined，meansnothingelsethan"anypersonforwhomsexualrelationshipsaresubordinatedtogain。"*——

*Guyot，LAPROSTITUTION——

"Thosewomenareprostituteswhoselltheirbodiesfortheexerciseofthesexualactandmakeofthisaprofession。"*——

*Banger，CRIMINALITEETCONDITIONECONOMIQUE——

Infact，Bangergoesfurther；hemaintainsthattheactofprostitutionis"intrinsicallyequaltothatofamanorwomanwhocontractsamarriageforeconomicreasons。"

Ofcourse，marriageisthegoalofeverygirl，butasthousandsofgirlscannotmarry，ourstupidsocialcustomscondemnthemeithertoalifeofcelibacyorprostitution。Humannatureassertsitselfregardlessofalllaws，noristhereanyplausiblereasonwhynatureshouldadaptitselftoapervertedconceptionofmorality。

Societyconsidersthesexexperiencesofamanasattributesofhisgeneraldevelopment，whilesimilarexperiencesinthelifeofawomanarelookeduponasaterriblecalamity，alossofhonorandofallthatisgoodandnobleinahumanbeing。Thisdoublestandardofmoralityhasplayednolittlepartinthecreationandperpetuationofprostitution。Itinvolvesthekeepingoftheyounginabsoluteignoranceonsexmatters，whichalleged"innocence，"togetherwithanoverwroughtandstifledsexnature，helpstobringaboutastateofaffairsthatourPuritansaresoanxioustoavoidorprevent。

Notthatthegratificationofsexmustneedsleadtoprostitution；itisthecruel，heartless，criminalpersecutionofthosewhodaredivertfromthebeatenpaths，whichisresponsibleforit。

Girls，merechildren，workincrowded，over-heatedroomstentotwelvehoursdailyatamachine，whichtendstokeeptheminaconstantover-excitedsexstate。Manyofthesegirlshavenohomeorcomfortsofanykind；thereforethestreetorsomeplaceofcheapamusementistheonlymeansofforgettingtheirdailyroutine。Thisnaturallybringsthemintocloseproximitywiththeothersex。Itishardtosaywhichofthetwofactorsbringsthegirl’sover-sexedconditiontoaclimax，butitiscertainlythemostnaturalthingthataclimaxshouldresult。Thatisthefirststeptowardprostitution。Noristhegirltobeheldresponsibleforit。Onthecontrary，itisaltogetherthefaultofsociety，thefaultofourlackofunderstanding，ofourlackofappreciationoflifeinthemaking；especiallyisitthecriminalfaultofourmoralists，whocondemnagirlforalleternity，becauseshehasgonefromthe"pathofvirtue"；thatis，becauseherfirstsexexperiencehastakenplacewithoutthesanctionoftheChurch。

Thegirlfeelsherselfacompleteoutcast，withthedoorsofhomeandsocietyclosedinherface。Herentiretrainingandtraditionissuchthatthegirlherselffeelsdepravedandfallen，andthereforehasnogroundtostandupon，oranyholdthatwillliftherup，insteadofdraggingherdown。Thussocietycreatesthevictimsthatitafterwardsvainlyattemptstogetridof。Themeanest，mostdepravedanddecrepitmanstillconsidershimselftoogoodtotakeashiswifethewomanwhosegracehewasquitewillingtobuy，eventhoughhemighttherebysaveherfromalifeofhorror。Norcansheturntoherownsisterforhelp。Inherstupiditythelatterdeemsherselftoopureandchaste，notrealizingthatherownpositionisinmanyrespectsevenmoredeplorablethanhersister’softhestreet。

"Thewifewhomarriedformoney，comparedwiththeprostitute，"saysHavelockEllis，"isthetruescab。Sheispaidless，givesmuchmoreinreturninlaborandcare，andisabsolutelyboundtohermaster。

Theprostituteneversignsawaytherightoverherownperson，sheretainsherfreedomandpersonalrights，norisshealwayscompelledtosubmittoaman’sembrace。"

Nordoesthebetter-than-thouwomanrealizetheapologistclaimofLeckythat"thoughshemaybethesupremetypeofvice，sheisalsothemostefficientguardianofvirtue。Butforher，happyhomeswouldbepolluted，unnaturalandharmfulpracticewouldabound。"

Moralistsareeverreadytosacrificeone-halfofthehumanraceforthesakeofsomemiserableinstitutionwhichtheycannotoutgrow。

Asamatteroffact，prostitutionisnomoreasafeguardforthepurityofthehomethanrigidlawsareasafeguardagainstprostitution。Fullyfiftypercent。ofmarriedmenarepatronsofbrothels。Itisthroughthisvirtuouselementthatthemarriedwomen——nay，eventhechildren——areinfectedwithvenerealdiseases。

Yetsocietyhasnotawordofcondemnationfortheman，whilenolawistoomonstroustobesetinmotionagainstthehelplessvictim。

Sheisnotonlypreyeduponbythosewhouseher。butsheisalsoabsolutelyatthemercyofeverypolicemanandmiserabledetectiveonthebeat，theofficialsatthestationhouse，theauthoritiesineveryprison。

Inarecentbookbyawomanwhowasfortwelveyearsthemistressofa"house，"aretobefoundthefollowingfigures:"Theauthoritiescompelledmetopayeverymonthfinesbetween$14。70to$29。70，thegirlswouldpayfrom$5。70to$9。70tothepolice。"Consideringthatthewriterdidherbusinessinasmallcity，thattheamountsshegivesdonotincludeextrabribesandfines，onecanreadilyseethetremendousrevenuethepolicedepartmentderivesfromthebloodmoneyofitsvictims，whomitwillnotevenprotect。Woetothosewhorefusetopaytheirtoll；theywouldberoundeduplikecattle，"ifonlytomakeafavorableimpressionuponthegoodcitizensofthecity，orifthepowersneededextramoneyontheside。Forthewarpedmindwhobelievesthatafallenwomanisincapableofhumanemotionitwouldbeimpossibletorealizethegrief，thedisgrace，thetears，thewoundedpridethatwasourseverytimewewerepulledin。"

Strange，isn’tit，thatawomanwhohasakepta"house"shouldbeabletofeelthatway？ButstrangerstillthatagoodChristianworldshouldbleedandfleecesuchwomen，andgivethemnothinginreturnexceptobloquyandpersecution。Oh，forthecharityofaChristianworld！

MuchstressislaidonwhiteslavesbeingimportedintoAmerica。HowwouldAmericaeverretainhervirtueifEuropedidnothelpherout？

Iwillnotdenythatthismaybethecaseinsomeinstances，anymorethanIwilldenythatthereareemissariesofGermanyandothercountriesluringeconomicslavesintoAmerica；butIabsolutelydenythatprostitutionisrecruitedtoanyappreciableextentfromEurope。

ItmaybetruethatthemajorityofprostitutesinNewYorkCityareforeigners，butthatisbecausethemajorityofthepopulationisforeign。ThemomentwegotoanyotherAmericancity，toChicagoortheMiddleWest，weshallfindthatthenumberofforeignprostitutesisbyfaraminority。

EquallyexaggeratedisthebeliefthatthemajorityofstreetgirlsinthiscitywereengagedinthisbusinessbeforetheycametoAmerica。MostofthegirlsspeakexcellentEnglish，areAmericanizedinhabitsandappearance，——athingabsolutelyimpossibleunlesstheyhadlivedinthiscountrymanyyears。Thatis，theyweredrivenintoprostitutionbyAmericanconditions，bythethoroughlyAmericancustomforexcessivedisplayoffineryandclothes，which，ofcourse，necessitatesmoney，——moneythatcannotbeearnedinshopsorfactories。

Inotherwords，thereisnoreasontobelievethatanysetofmenwouldgototheriskandexpenseofgettingforeignproducts，whenAmericanconditionsareoverfloodingthemarketwiththousandsofgirls。Ontheotherhand，thereissufficientevidencetoprovethattheexportofAmericangirlsforthepurposeofprostitutionisbynomeansasmallfactor。

ThusCliffordG。Roe，ex-AssistantStateAttorneyofCookCounty，Ill。，makestheopenchargethatNewEnglandgirlsareshippedtoPanamafortheexpressuseofmenintheemployofUncleSam。Mr。

Roeaddsthat"thereseemstobeanundergroundrailroadbetweenBostonandWashingtonwhichmanygirlstravel。"IsitnotsignificantthattherailroadshouldleadtotheveryseatofFederalauthority？ThatMr。Roesaidmorethanwasdesiredincertainquartersisprovedbythefactthathelosthisposition。Itisnotpracticalformeninofficetotelltalesfromschool。

TheexcusegivenfortheconditionsinPanamaisthattherearenobrothelsintheCanalZone。Thatistheusualavenueofescapeforahypocriticalworldthatdaresnotfacethetruth。NotintheCanalZone，notinthecitylimits，——thereforeprostitutiondoesnotexist。

NexttoMr。Roe，thereisJamesBronsonReynolds，whohasmadeathoroughstudyofthewhiteslavetrafficinAsia。AsastaunchAmericancitizenandfriendofthefutureNapoleonofAmerica，TheodoreRoosevelt，heissurelythelasttodiscreditthevirtueofhiscountry。YetweareinformedbyhimthatinHongKong，Shanghai，andYokohama，theAugeanstablesofAmericanvicearelocated。ThereAmericanprostituteshavemadethemselvessoconspicuousthatintheOrient"Americangirl"issynonymouswithprostitute。Mr。ReynoldsremindshiscountrymenthatwhileAmericansinChinaareundertheprotectionofourconsularrepresentatives，theChineseinAmericahavenoprotectionatall。EveryonewhoknowsthebrutalandbarbarouspersecutionChineseandJapaneseendureonthePacificCoast，willagreewithMr。Reynolds。

InviewoftheabovefactsitisratherabsurdtopointtoEuropeastheswampwhencecomeallthesocialdiseasesofAmerica。JustasabsurdisittoproclaimthemyththattheJewsfurnishthelargestcontingentofwillingprey。Iamsurethatnoonewillaccusemeofnationalistictendencies。IamgladtosaythatIhavedevelopedoutofthem，asoutofmanyotherprejudices。If，therefore，IresentthestatementthatJewishprostitutesareimported，itisnotbecauseofanyJudaisticsympathies，butbecauseofthefactsinherentinthelivesofthesepeople。NoonebutthemostsuperficialwillclaimthatJewishgirlsmigratetostrangelands，unlesstheyhavesometieorrelationthatbringsthemthere。TheJewishgirlisnotadventurous。Untilrecentyearsshehadneverlefthome，notevensofarasthenextvillageortown，exceptitweretovisitsomerelative。IsitthencrediblethatJewishgirlswouldleavetheirparentsorfamilies，travelthousandsofmilestostrangelands，throughtheinfluenceandpromisesofstrangeforces？Gotoanyofthelargeincomingsteamersandseeforyourselfifthesegirlsdonotcomeeitherwiththeirparents，brothers，aunts，orotherkinsfolk。Theremaybeexceptions，ofcourse，buttostatethatlargenumbersofJewishgirlsareimportedforprostitution，oranyotherpurpose，issimplynottoknowJewishpsychology。

Thosewhositinaglasshousedowrongtothrowstonesaboutthem；

besides，theAmericanglasshouseisratherthin，itwillbreakeasily，andtheinteriorisanythingbutagainlysight。

Toascribetheincreaseinprostitutiontoallegedimportation，tothegrowthofthecadetsystem，orsimilarcauses，ishighlysuperficial。Ihavealreadyreferredtotheformer。Astothecadetsystem，abhorrentasitis，wemustnotignorethefactthatitisessentiallyaphaseofmodernprostitution，——aphaseaccentuatedbysuppressionandgraft，resultingfromsporadiccrusadesagainstthesocialevil。

Theprocurerisnodoubtapoorspecimenofthehumanfamily，butinwhatmannerishemoredespicablethanthepolicemanwhotakesthelastcentfromthestreetwalker，andthenlocksherupinthestationhouse？Whyisthecadetmorecriminal，oragreatermenacetosociety，thantheownersofdepartmentstoresandfactories，whogrowfatonthesweatoftheirvictims，onlytodrivethemtothestreets？Imakenopleaforthecadet，butIfailtoseewhyheshouldbemercilesslyhounded，whiletherealperpetratorsofallsocialiniquityenjoyimmunityandrespect。Then，too，itiswelltorememberthatitisnotthecadetwhomakestheprostitute。Itisourshamandhypocrisythatcreateboththeprostituteandthecadet。

Until1894verylittlewasknowninAmericaoftheprocurer。Thenwewereattackedbyanepidemicofvirtue。Vicewastobeabolished，thecountrypurifiedatallcost。Thesocialcancerwasthereforedrivenoutofsight，butdeeperintothebody。Keepersofbrothels，aswellastheirunfortunatevictims，wereturnedovertothetendermerciesofthepolice。Theinevitableconsequenceofexorbitantbribes，andthepenitentiary，followed。

Whilecomparativelyprotectedinthebrothels，wheretheyrepresentedacertainmonetaryvalue，thegirlsnowfoundthemselvesonthestreet，absolutelyatthemercyofthegraft-greedypolice。

Desperate，needingprotectionandlongingforaffection，thesegirlsnaturallyprovedaneasypreyforcadets，themselvestheresultofthespiritofourcommercialage。Thusthecadetsystemwasthedirectoutgrowthofpolicepersecution，graft，andattemptedsuppressionofprostitution。Itweresheerfollytoconfoundthismodernphaseofthesocialevilwiththecausesofthelatter。

Meresuppressionandbarbaricenactmentscanservebuttoembitter，andfurtherdegrade，theunfortunatevictimsofignoranceandstupidity。Thelatterhasreacheditshighestexpressionintheproposedlawtomakehumanetreatmentofprostitutesacrime，punishinganyoneshelteringaprostitutewithfiveyears’

imprisonmentand$10，000fine。Suchanattitudemerelyexposestheterriblelackofunderstandingofthetruecausesofprostitution，asasocialfactor，aswellasmanifestingthePuritanicspiritoftheScarletLetterdays。

Thereisnotasinglemodernwriteronthesubjectwhodoesnotrefertotheutterfutilityoflegislativemethodsincopingwiththeissue。ThusDr。Blaschkofindsthatgovernmentalsuppressionandmoralcrusadesaccomplishnothingsavedrivingtheevilintosecretchannels，multiplyingitsdangerstosociety。HavelockEllis，themostthoroughandhumanestudentofprostitution，provesbyawealthofdatathatthemorestringentthemethodsofpersecutiontheworsetheconditionbecomes。AmongotherdatawelearnthatinFrance，"in1560，CharlesIX。abolishedbrothelsthroughanedict，butthenumbersofprostituteswereonlyincreased，whilemanynewbrothelsappearedinunsuspectedshapes，andweremoredangerous。Inspiteofallsuchlegislation，ORBECAUSEOFIT，therehasbeennocountryinwhichprostitutionhasplayedamoreconspicuouspart。"*——

*SEXANDSOCIETY——

Aneducatedpublicopinion，freedfromthelegalandmoralhoundingoftheprostitute，canalonehelptoamelioratepresentconditions。

Wilfulshuttingofeyesandignoringoftheevilasasocialfactorofmodernlife，canbutaggravatematters。Wemustriseaboveourfoolishnotionsof"betterthanthou，"andlearntorecognizeintheprostituteaproductofsocialconditions。Sucharealizationwillsweepawaytheattitudeofhypocrisy，andinsureagreaterunderstandingandmorehumanetreatment。Astoathorougheradicationofprostitution，nothingcanaccomplishthatsaveacompletetransvaluationofallacceptedvalues——especiallythemoralones——coupledwiththeabolitionofindustrialslavery。

WOMANSUFFRAGE

Weboastoftheageofadvancement，ofscience，andprogress。Isitnotstrange，then，thatwestillbelieveinfetichworship？True，ourfeticheshavedifferentformandsubstance，yetintheirpoweroverthehumanmindtheyarestillasdisastrousaswerethoseofold。

Ourmodernfetichisuniversalsuffrage。Thosewhohavenotyetachievedthatgoalfightbloodyrevolutionstoobtainit，andthosewhohaveenjoyeditsreignbringheavysacrificetothealtarofthisomnipotentdeity。Woetothehereticwhodarequestionthatdivinity！

Woman，evenmorethanman，isafetichworshipper，andthoughheridolsmaychange，sheiseveronherknees，everholdingupherhands，everblindtothefactthathergodhasfeetofclay。Thuswomanhasbeenthegreatestsupporterofalldeitiesfromtimeimmemorial。Thus，too，shehashadtopaythepricethatonlygodscanexact，——herfreedom，herheart’sblood，herverylife。

Nietzsche’smemorablemaxim，"Whenyougotowoman，takethewhipalong，"isconsideredverybrutal，yetNietzscheexpressedinonesentencetheattitudeofwomantowardshergods。

Religion，especiallytheChristianreligion，hascondemnedwomantothelifeofaninferior，aslave。Ithasthwartedhernatureandfetteredhersoul，yettheChristianreligionhasnogreatersupporter，nonemoredevout，thanwoman。Indeed，itissafetosaythatreligionwouldhavelongceasedtobeafactorinthelivesofthepeople，ifitwerenotforthesupportitreceivesfromwoman。

Themostardentchurchworkers，themosttirelessmissionariestheworldover，arewomen，alwayssacrificingonthealtarofthegodsthathavechainedherspiritandenslavedherbody。

Theinsatiablemonster，war，robswomanofallthatisdearandprecioustoher。Itexactsherbrothers，lovers，sons，andinreturngivesheralifeoflonelinessanddespair。Yetthegreatestsupporterandworshiperofwariswoman。Sheitiswhoinstillstheloveofconquestandpowerintoherchildren；sheitiswhowhispersthegloriesofwarintotheearsofherlittleones，andwhorocksherbabytosleepwiththetunesoftrumpetsandthenoiseofguns。

Itiswoman，too，whocrownsthevictoronhisreturnfromthebattlefield。Yes，itiswomanwhopaysthehighestpricetothatinsatiablemonster，war。

Thenthereisthehome。Whataterriblefetichitis！Howitsapstheverylife-energyofwoman，——thismodernprisonwithgoldenbars。

Itsshiningaspectblindswomantothepriceshewouldhavetopayaswife，mother，andhousekeeper。Yetwomanclingstenaciouslytothehome，tothepowerthatholdsherinbondage。

ItmaybesaidthatbecausewomanrecognizestheawfultollsheismadetopaytotheChurch，State，andthehome，shewantssuffragetosetherselffree。Thatmaybetrueofthefew；themajorityofsuffragistsrepudiateutterlysuchblasphemy。Onthecontrary，theyinsistalwaysthatitiswomansuffragewhichwillmakeherabetterChristianandhomekeeper，astaunchcitizenoftheState。ThussuffrageisonlyameansofstrengtheningtheomnipotenceoftheveryGodsthatwomanhasservedfromtimeimmemorial。

Whatwonder，then，thatsheshouldbejustasdevout，justaszealous，justasprostratebeforethenewidol，womansuffrage。Asofold，sheendurespersecution，imprisonment，torture，andallformsofcondemnation，withasmileonherface。Asofold，themostenlightened，even，hopeforamiraclefromthetwentiethcenturydeity，——suffrage。Life，happiness，joy，freedom，independence，——allthat，andmore，istospringfromsuffrage。Inherblinddevotionwomandoesnotseewhatpeopleofintellectperceivedfiftyyearsago:thatsuffrageisanevil，thatithasonlyhelpedtoenslavepeople，thatithasbutclosedtheireyesthattheymaynotseehowcraftilytheyweremadetosubmit。

Woman’sdemandforequalsuffrageisbasedlargelyonthecontentionthatwomanmusthavetheequalrightinallaffairsofsociety。Noonecould，possibly，refutethat，ifsuffragewerearight。Alas，fortheignoranceofthehumanmind，whichcanseearightinanimposition。Orisitnotthemostbrutalimpositionforonesetofpeopletomakelawsthatanothersetiscoercedbyforcetoobey？

Yetwomanclamorsforthat"goldenopportunity"thathaswroughtsomuchmiseryintheworld，androbbedmanofhisintegrityandself-reliance；animpositionwhichhasthoroughlycorruptedthepeople，andmadethemabsolutepreyinthehandsofunscrupulouspoliticians。

Thepoor，stupid，freeAmericancitizen！Freetostarve，freetotrampthehighwaysofthisgreatcountry，heenjoysuniversalsuffrage，and，bythatright，hehasforgedchainsabouthislimbs。

Therewardthathereceivesisstringentlaborlawsprohibitingtherightofboycott，ofpicketing，infact，ofeverything，excepttherighttoberobbedofthefruitsofhislabor。Yetallthesedisastrousresultsofthetwentiethcenturyfetichhavetaughtwomannothing。But，then，womanwillpurifypolitics，weareassured。

Needlesstosay，Iamnotopposedtowomansuffrageontheconventionalgroundthatsheisnotequaltoit。Iseeneitherphysical，psychological，normentalreasonswhywomanshouldnothavetheequalrighttovotewithman。Butthatcannotpossiblyblindmetotheabsurdnotionthatwomanwillaccomplishthatwhereinmanhasfailed。Ifshewouldnotmakethingsworse，shecertainlycouldnotmakethembetter。Toassume，therefore，thatshewouldsucceedinpurifyingsomethingwhichisnotsusceptibleofpurification，istocreditherwithsupernaturalpowers。Sincewoman’sgreatestmisfortunehasbeenthatshewaslookeduponaseitherangelordevil，hertruesalvationliesinbeingplacedonearth；namely，inbeingconsideredhuman，andthereforesubjecttoallhumanfolliesandmistakes。Arewe，then，tobelievethattwoerrorswillmakearight？Arewetoassumethatthepoisonalreadyinherentinpoliticswillbedecreased，ifwomenweretoenterthepoliticalarena？Themostardentsuffragistswouldhardlymaintainsuchafolly。

Asamatteroffact，themostadvancedstudentsofuniversalsuffragehavecometorealizethatallexistingsystemsofpoliticalpowerareabsurd，andarecompletelyinadequatetomeetthepressingissuesoflife。Thisviewisalsoborneoutbyastatementofonewhoisherselfanardentbelieverinwomansuffrage，Dr。HelenL。Sumner。

InherableworkonEQUALSUFFRAGE，shesays:"InColorado，wefindthatequalsuffrageservestoshowinthemoststrikingwaytheessentialrottennessanddegradingcharacteroftheexistingsystem。"

Ofcourse，Dr。Sumnerhasinmindaparticularsystemofvoting，butthesameapplieswithequalforcetotheentiremachineryoftherepresentativesystem。Withsuchabasis，itisdifficulttounderstandhowwoman，asapoliticalfactor，wouldbenefiteitherherselfortherestofmankind。

But，sayoursuffragedevotees，lookatthecountriesandStateswherefemalesuffrageexists。Seewhatwomanhasaccomplished——inAustralia，NewZealand，Finland，theScandinaviancountries，andinourownfourStates，Idaho，Colorado，Wyoming，andUtah。Distancelendsenchantment——or，toquoteaPolishformula——"itiswellwherewearenot。"ThusonewouldassumethatthosecountriesandStatesareunlikeothercountriesorStates，thattheyhavegreaterfreedom，greatersocialandeconomicequality，afinerappreciationofhumanlife，deeperunderstandingofthegreatsocialstruggle，withallthevitalquestionsitinvolvesforthehumanrace。

ThewomenofAustraliaandNewZealandcanvote，andhelpmakethelaws。ArethelaborconditionsbettertherethantheyareinEngland，wherethesuffragettesaremakingsuchaheroicstruggle？

Doesthereexistagreatermotherhood，happierandfreerchildrenthaninEngland？Iswomantherenolongerconsideredameresexcommodity？HassheemancipatedherselffromthePuritanicaldoublestandardofmoralityformenandwomen？Certainlynonebuttheordinaryfemalestumppoliticianwilldareanswerthesequestionsintheaffirmative。Ifthatbeso，itseemsridiculoustopointtoAustraliaandNewZealandastheMeccaofequalsuffrageaccomplishments。

Ontheotherhand，itisafacttothosewhoknowtherealpoliticalconditionsinAustralia，thatpoliticshavegaggedlaborbyenactingthemoststringentlaborlaws，makingstrikeswithoutthesanctionofanarbitrationcommitteeacrimeequaltotreason。

NotforamomentdoImeantoimplythatwomansuffrageisresponsibleforthisstateofaffairs。Idomean，however，thatthereisnoreasontopointtoAustraliaasawonder-workerofwoman’saccomplishment，sinceherinfluencehasbeenunabletofreelaborfromthethralldomofpoliticalbossism。

Finlandhasgivenwomanequalsuffrage；nay，eventherighttositinParliament。Hasthathelpedtodevelopagreaterheroism，anintenserzealthanthatofthewomenofRussia？Finland，likeRussia，smartsundertheterriblewhipofthebloodyTsar。WherearetheFinnishPerovskaias，Spiridonovas，Figners，Breshkovskaias？

WherearethecountlessnumbersofFinnishyounggirlswhocheerfullygotoSiberiafortheircause？Finlandissadlyinneedofheroicliberators。Whyhastheballotnotcreatedthem？TheonlyFinnishavengerofhispeoplewasaman，notawoman，andheusedamoreeffectiveweaponthantheballot。

AstoourownStateswherewomenvote，andwhichareconstantlybeingpointedoutasexamplesofmarvels，whathasbeenaccomplishedtherethroughtheballotthatwomendonottoalargeextentenjoyinotherStates；orthattheycouldnotachievethroughenergeticeffortswithouttheballot？

True，inthesuffrageStateswomenareguaranteedequalrightstoproperty；butofwhatavailisthatrighttothemassofwomenwithoutproperty，thethousandsofwageworkers，wholivefromhandtomouth？Thatequalsuffragedidnot，andcannot，affecttheirconditionisadmittedevenbyDr。Sumner，whocertainlyisinapositiontoknow。Asanardentsuffragist，andhavingbeensenttoColoradobytheCollegiateEqualSuffrageLeagueofNewYorkStatetocollectmaterialinfavorofsuffrage，shewouldbethelasttosayanythingderogatory；yetweareinformedthat"equalsuffragehasbutslightlyaffectedtheeconomicconditionsofwomen。Thatwomendonotreceiveequalpayforequalwork，andthat，thoughwomaninColoradohasenjoyedschoolsuffragesince1876，womenteachersarepaidlessthaninCalifornia。"Ontheotherhand，MissSumnerfailstoaccountforthefactthatalthoughwomenhavehadschoolsuffrageforthirty-fouryears，andequalsuffragesince1894，thecensusinDenveraloneafewmonthsagodisclosedthefactoffifteenthousanddefectiveschoolchildren。Andthat，too，withmostlywomenintheeducationaldepartment，andalsonotwithstandingthatwomeninColoradohavepassedthe"moststringentlawsforchildandanimalprotection。"ThewomenofColorado"havetakengreatinterestintheStateinstitutionsforthecareofdependent，defective，anddelinquentchildren。"Whatahorribleindictmentagainstwoman’scareandinterest，ifonecityhasfifteenthousanddefectivechildren。Whataboutthegloryofwomansuffrage，sinceithasfailedutterlyinthemostimportantsocialissue，thechild？Andwhereisthesuperiorsenseofjusticethatwomanwastobringintothepoliticalfield？Wherewasitin1903，whenthemineownerswagedaguerillawaragainsttheWesternMiners’Union；whenGeneralBellestablishedareignofterror，pullingmenoutofbedsatnight，kidnappingthemacrosstheborderline，throwingthemintobullpens，declaring"tohellwiththeConstitution，theclubistheConstitution"？Wherewerethewomenpoliticiansthen，andwhydidtheynotexercisethepoweroftheirvote？Buttheydid。Theyhelpedtodefeatthemostfair-mindedandliberalman，GovernorWaite。Thelatterhadtomakewayforthetooloftheminekings，GovernorPeabody，theenemyoflabor，theTsarofColorado。

"Certainlymalesuffragecouldhavedonenothingworse。"Granted。

Wherein，then，aretheadvantagestowomanandsocietyfromwomansuffrage？Theoft-repeatedassertionthatwomanwillpurifypoliticsisalsobutamyth。ItisnotborneoutbythepeoplewhoknowthepoliticalconditionsofIdaho，Colorado，Wyoming，andUtah。

Woman，essentiallyapurist，isnaturallybigottedandrelentlessinherefforttomakeothersasgoodasshethinkstheyoughttobe。

Thus，inIdaho，shehasdisfranchisedhersisterofthestreet，anddeclaredallwomenof"lewdcharacter"unfittovote。"Lewd"notbeinginterpreted，ofcourse，asprostitutionINmarriage。Itgoeswithoutsayingthatillegalprostitutionandgamblinghavebeenprohibited。Inthisregardthelawmustneedsbeoffemininenature:

italwaysprohibits。Thereinalllawsarewonderful。Theygonofurther，buttheirverytendenciesopenallthefloodgatesofhell。

Prostitutionandgamblinghaveneverdoneamoreflourishingbusinessthansincethelawhasbeensetagainstthem。

InColorado，thePuritanismofwomanhasexpresseditselfinamoredrasticform。"Menofnotoriouslyuncleanlives，andmenconnectedwithsaloons，havebeendroppedfrompoliticssincewomenhavethevote。"*CouldbrotherComstockdomore？CouldallthePuritanfathershavedonemore？Iwonderhowmanywomenrealizethegravityofthiswould-befeat。Iwonderiftheyunderstandthatitistheverythingwhich，insteadofelevatingwoman，hasmadeherapoliticalspy，acontemptiblepryintotheprivateaffairsofpeople，notsomuchforthegoodofthecause，butbecause，asaColoradowomansaid，"theyliketogetintohousestheyhaveneverbeenin，andfindoutalltheycan，politicallyandotherwise。"**Yes，andintothehumansoulanditsminutestnooksandcorners。Fornothingsatisfiesthecravingofmostwomensomuchasscandal。Andwhendidsheeverenjoysuchopportunitiesasarehers，thepolitician’s？——

*EQUALSUFFRAGE。Dr。HelenSumner。

**EQUALSUFFRAGE