The influence of legislation on public morals / Friends' Association for Abolishing the State Regulation of Vice.

Date:
[1873?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The influence of legislation on public morals / Friends' Association for Abolishing the State Regulation of Vice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    There is no distinct evidence that any diminution of disease amon^ the men of the army and navy, which may have taken place, is attributable to a diminution of disease contingent upon the system of periodical examination among the women with whom they have consorted. These Acts are left then without one redeeming feature; and if their opponents are desired to propose some other Act for the diminution of disease, they may reply that the real cause, the root of the evil, is beyond the reach of legislation; and that the only preventive is that already recommended by every chaste man, cease to do evil. It does not however follow that no legislative reform can take place by which the weak may be further protected, and wrong doers more effectually dealt with. There is no lack of valuable suggestions in this direction. They are within the reach of every inquirer. [See Report of Royal Commission, question and answer 12,878, also 7116.] We have pointed out the nature of the fearful evil that has gained a footing in the British Islands. We have shewn that two principles are striving for the mastery. Science is said to be steadily progressing. Religious conviction is declared to be dying out. If it is indeed so, our case is hopeless. But we appeal, and not hopelessly, but more and more confidently, to the national conscience, vindicated as it is by thousands of the ministers of Religion, both in and out of the Establishment, who, as with one voice, have openly denounced, and continue to denounce, this Law, as iniquitous in its nature, scandalous in its object, and disgraceful alike to a nation and to its Government. EDWAED BACKHOUSE, Sunderland. BARTON DELL, Bristol GEORGE TATHAM, Zeeds. JOSEPH EDMONDSON, ITaUfax. THOMAS PEASE, JiristoL ARTHUR ALBRIGHT, Birmingham.