False protestations of affection lead many girls to allow themselves to be seduced; for when once a man has persuaded a woman that she has his real love, he has overthrown many obstacles to her reserve. If the girl can be led to venture upon improper escapades with him, and especially if she can be persuaded to drink, she is almost at his mercy for alcohol paralyzes a woman's power of negation, and renders her more vivacious and amorous, her impulsive temperament being far more susceptible to its influence than a man's. Indulgence in strong drink is the precursor of a downfall from virtue for her, and harlotry and drunkennecs go hand in hand.
Most prostitutes claim that they began their life of shame after being seduced, and in the large majority of cases they speak the truth. Some men certainly began their infamous careers for them, perjured themselves that they might have their trivial sport, lacerated their delicate sensibilities, and polluted their consciences, so that the poor women have only the mere recollection of feelings of self respect. Consequently they now feel that they cannot return to respectable society as the men do, and come to believe that they are almost right in giving up hope and openly soliciting favors from any man.
"The probabilities of a decrease in the crime of seduction are very slight, so long as the present public sentiment prevails; while the seducer is allowed to go unpunished and the full measure of retribution is directed against his victim; while the offender escapes, but the offended is condemned. Unprincipled men, ready to take advantage of woman's trustful nature, abound, and they pursue their diabolical course unmolested. Legal enactments can scarcely ever reach them, although sometimes a poor man without friends or money is indicted and convicted. The remedy must be left to the world at large. When our domestic relations are such that a man known to be guilty of this crime can obtain no admission into the family circle; when the virtuous and respectable members of the community agree that no such man shall be welcorned to their society; when worth and honor assert their supremacy over wealth and boldness, there may be hopes of a reformation, but not till then".
Any true man would exert all his influence to make a young woman who had just been seduced retrace her steps while it was not yet altogether impossible to hide her shame from the world, and this even though she gave him encouragement to complete her ruin; and his hand would wither before he could in any way be a party to her further damage.
Poverty is probably the most fruitful of all causes which lead to the downfall of girls.
Unquestionably most girls who have themselves alone to support could find some kind of employment which would maintain them if they were willing to work hard; but when ignorance, poverty and vanity combine forces, and a life is opened up to them which seems to offer rich rewards and absolutely no work, then they are indeed in danger.
The starvation wages paid to young women in stores, factories, restaurants, etc., compel many of them to earn money elsewhere; and when they are thrown upon their own resources, unequipped by any training to earn their living, the temptation is very strong to barter away their virtue for what may seem to them adequate money rewards.
No girl who has any womanly delicacy or attractiveness would or does cast herself away by deliberately prostituting herself, unless under the duress of necessity; but innumerable men are ever ready to seduce her and drain her very life's blood, thinking to excuse themselves by the money they pay.