elf all the shame of both the prudery and
the coarseness if I am wrong, I call an indecent exposure. In the
glare and glamour of gas-light, it is flash and clouds and
indistinctness. In the broad and honest daylight it is not. Indeed, I
do not know that I will say "almost." Anything which tends to remove
from woman her sanctity is not only almost, but altogether
objectionable. Questionable action is often consecrated by holy
motive, and there, even mistake is not fatal; but in this thing is no
noble principle to neutralize practical error.

I do not speak thus about waltzing because I like to say it; but ye
have compelled me. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with
it. I respect and revere woman, and I cannot see her destroying or
debasing the impalpable fragrance and delicacy of her nature without
feeling the shame and shudder in my own heart. Great is my boldness of
speech towards you, because great is my glorying of you. Though I
speak as a fool, yet as a fool receive me. My opinions may be rustic.
They are at least honest; and it not be that the first fresh
impressions of an unprejudiced and uninfluenced observer are as likely
to be natural and correct views as those which are the result of many
after-thoughts, long and use, and an experience of multifold
fascinations, combined with the original producing cause? My opinions
may be wrong, but they will do no harm; the penalty will rest alone on
me: while, if they are right, they may serve as a nail or two to be
fastened by the masters of assemblies.

O girls, I implore you to believe me! They are not your true friends
who would persuade you that you can permit this thing with impunity.
It is not they who best know your strength, your power, your
possibilities. It is not they who pay you the truest homage. Believe
ME, for it is not possible that I can have any but the highest motive.
If the evil of foreign customs is to be incorporated into American
society, if foul freedom of manners is to defile our pure freedom of
life, if the robes of our refinement are to be white only when relieved
against the dark background revealed by polluted stage of a corrupt
metropolis, on you will fall the burden of the consequences. Believe
ME, for your weal and mine are one. Your glory is my glory. Your
degradation is mine. There are honeyed words whose very essence is
insult. There are bold and bitter words whose roots lie in the deepest
reverence. Bewar