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Show MRS. WOODIIVLL GOES AKTKR IIKK CRITICS. The following card from Mm. Victoria WoodUull appottra in tlio Now York Times of May 22nd: Becauso I am a woman, and because I conscientiously hold opinions somewhat some-what different from tlio self-acted orthodoxy which men find their profit in supporting; and becauso I think it my bounden duty and my absolute right to put forward my opinions and to advocate them with my whole strength, self-elected orthodoxy assails mo, vilifies mo, and endeavors to cover my lifo with ridicule and dishonor. dis-honor. This has been particularly the case in reference to certain law proceedings pro-ceedings into which I was recently drawn by weakness of one very near relative and tho profligate selfishness of other relatives. One of the charges brought against me is that I live in the same nouse with my former husband, Dr. Wood-hull, Wood-hull, and my present husband, Col. Blood. The fact is a fact. Dr. Wood- hull being sick, ailing and incapable of self-support, I felt it my duty to myself and human nature that he should be cared for, although hia incapacity was in no wise attributable to me. My present husband, Col. Blood, not only approves of this charity.but co-operates in it. I esteem it one of the most virtuous acts of my life. But various editors have stigmatized me as a living example of immorality and unchastity. My opinions and principles are subjects sub-jects of just criticism, I put myself belbre the public voluntarily. I know full well that the public will criticize me and my motives and actions in their own way and at their own time. I ac cept the position. I except to no fair analysis and examination, even if the scalpel be a little merciless. But let him who is without sin ca"t his stone, I do not intend to be made the scapegoat of sacrifice, to be offered up as a victim to society by those who cover over the foulness of their lives and the feculence of their thoughts with hypocritical mouth of fair professions, pro-fessions, and by diverting public attention atten-tion from their own iniquity and point ing the finger at me. I know that many of my self-appointed judges and critics are deeply tainted with the vices they condemn. I live in one house with one who was my husband; I live as the wife with one who is my husband. hus-band. I believe in Spiritualism"; I advocate ad-vocate ficc-lovo ia the nirhest, purest sense, as the only cure for the immorality, immoral-ity, the deep damnation by which men corrupt and disfigure God's most holy institution of sexual relations. My judges preach against "free-love' ' openly, open-ly, practice it secretly. Their outward seeming is fair; inwardly they are full of "dead men's bones and all manner of uncleanness. " For example, I know of one man, a public teacner of eminence, emi-nence, who lives in concubinage with the wife of another public teacher of almost equal eminence. All three concur con-cur in denouncing offenses against morality. mo-rality. "Hypocricy is the tribute paid by vice to, virtue. So be it. But I decline to stand up as "the frightful example." I shall make it my business busi-ness to analyze some of these lines, and will take my chances in the matter of Libel suits. I have faith in critics, but I believe in public justice. |