The history of the United States is the history of all countries
as regards prostitution. The population is made up of all nations,
civilized and semi-civilized. In the majority of cases poverty is
the greatest incentive to prostitution. Permanent prostitution has a
numerical relation to the means of occupation.
At the present time in all parts of the United States the lower strata
of men and women are deprived of the results of their labor except
in quantities barely sufficient to retain life in their bodies. They
are huddled together indiscriminately as to sex, in close, crowded
quarters, so that the ordinary delicacies of life cannot be practiced
even if there should be a desire.
The chiefest and often the only form of pleasure within their reach is
that given by nature for the purest and best use in life, but which
comes to be the veriest debauchery. Children and youth growing up
among adults, depraved because no ray of light was shed to show the
way for moral and physical uplifting, must naturally imbibe the miasma
of social impurity. From the very cradle through life their influence
is to further degrade themselves.
On the other hand are the extreme rich, who, not being compelled to
labor for sustenance, spend their time and money in selfish enjoyment.
In contrast with the extreme poor, they have every possibility to
cultivate the good in themselves, but will not, and it grows pale and
sickly among the rank weeds of their selfishness.
Chiefly, among self-gratifications, are social evil habits, especially
on part of the men of wealth. Their manner of life, the food they eat,
creates a fictitious force which must expend itself. They may have a
chivalrous regard for the women of their class, but consider all women
below them to be legitimate prey.
Relying on their wealth to insinuate themselves into the good graces
of young women by supplying them with such things as will gratify
vanity, the offspring of rich parentage find fascination in pursuit
of their object. When she is at last won, and her virtuous scruples
overcome, she is thrown aside like the wilted flower which has yielded
all its perfume. The brothel is open to receive all such, particularly
if she be handsome of face or form.