Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/155



all the social changes brought under my notice, none. surprised me more than the stringency of the laws governing the family relation. Most of these laws, indeed, had become practically needless,—much as laws against cannibalism or man-stealing would be among us. They still survived, however, as a legacy from the ages of conflict, when the existing social organization was slowly evolved. They dated back, for the most part, to that period already referred to, when, during the re-action against the rule of corrupt demagogues and social disorganizers, society re-asserted its right of self-protection with a vigor that partook of ferocity.

Nor was property the only interest to obtain vindication. For the first time in the history of our race, the influence of woman made itself directly felt in legislation. This influence, purifying in every direction, was especially active in the repression of the twin evils from which their sex had been the severest, and, for too long, the helpless, sufferers.

Intemperance was made simply impossible by a total prohibition, under severe penalties, of the manufacture

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