nl_e17

Frances Willard, "Social Purity Work for 1887," Jan 1887
Therefore we, men and women of -----, State of----, do most
earnestly appeal to you to enact such statutes as shall provide for the
adequate punishment of crimes against women and girls. We also
urge that the age at which a girl can legally consent to her own ruin be
raised to at least eighteen years; and we call attention to the
disgraceful fact that protection of the person is not placed by our laws
upon so high a plane as protection of the purse.
The United States Congress will be appealed to by similar
petitions at the present session. A Bill to meet the requirements of
these petitions has been prepared, with the advice of the best legal
minds and of thoughtful men and women well qualified to deal with this
difficult subject. This bill has been sent to every State and Territory,
except those which have already passed the desired laws.
The term "age of consent" has been much objected to by white
ribbon women, and it is suggested--after taking legal advice--that "age
of protection" meets the [need] and is less objectionable.
We reiterate the urgent request to each local union [for] the
appointment of a Superintendent of the Department for the Promotion
of Social Purity.
Some have preferred to call it "Department of G[ospel] Purity,"
and surely the name has great significance. The good-news of purity
according to Gospel (i.e., [New] Testament) standards is what we
would help to [spread] abroad. Christ's "Neither do I condemn thee, go
sin no more," proclaimed along with his "Let him [who] is without sin
among YOU cast the first stone at [illeg.] are the firm basis of that
equal chastity which Christianity equally requires of man and woman.
FRANCES E. WILLARD, Nat. Supt. Social Purity
MRS. J. H. KELLOGG, Supt. Mothers' Meetings
DR. KATE BUSHNELL, Nat. Evangelist.
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