Page:The rights of women and the sexual relations.djvu/312

296 out of wedlock, to destroy the life of a child — out of wedlock on account of the fear of losing ‘respectability' since society condemns the mother as immoral; in wedlock because the cares of maternity are binding, annoying and difficult. We can have no idea to what extent this system of murder is practiced, and yet if we consider the numbers of children which fill our prisons, we must almost call it a boon. Mothers, think of it! Every son whom you place into this world, whom you have not conceived in purest love, has all the qualities which fill our prisons and poor-houses, inherent within him; every daughter of this kind is born with the tendencies which lead to houses of prostitution. Therefore it is your responsibility as well as your right to say, where and when and how you want to become mothers. Therefore it is also a necessity for you to acquire a knowledge of every art and science which now are the monopoly of men, that you may learn how to bring better children into this world. I reject in all things the stupid saying that ignorance is a blessing. Woman is to know everything that man is capable of knowing, and is to have full liberty to acquire the knowledge. You must break every chain that hinders your development, be it church or state, man or woman, wife or child, who forges it."

In closing she refers to the fact that the existence of the present institution of marriage does not hinder propagation outside of marriage, and that, for example, in the year 1852, fifty-five thousand