The danger of "spicy" books
Anthony Comstock, Vampire Literature, The North American Review, Vol. 153, No. 417 (Aug., 1891), pp. 160-171
Here's a "concerned" essay from 1891 about the dangers of naughty literature on impressionable young minds. It was written by Anthony Comstock, whom Wikipedia says "was an anti-vice activist, United States Postal Inspector, and secretary of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, who was dedicated to upholding Christian morality. He opposed obscene literature, abortion, contraception, masturbation, gambling, prostitution, and patent medicine."
The article is full of anecdotes about the callous, self-serving motivations of authors and the tragic results that ensue when kids get their hands on these publications.
The essay's closing paragraph reads: Save our youth from this fetid blast of corruption which is being sent out by the fiery greed of thoughtless, reckless, or criminal authors and publishers. Authors and publishers need to call a halt upon themselves, ere they further curse the youth of this free land and undermine our free institutions.
Thank goodness that more than a century later we no longer have to worry about authorities spouting beliefs like these... Right?












