Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-05-31

1t has obtained the force OF law in the
fashionable world, that politeness re-
quires subjects involving knowledge and
deep thought not 10 be NJ enlioned in the
1 presence OF ladies'. A Mahometan prac-
tice! worthy the Mussulmans' belief
that "women have no souls" 1t will
be said they could not understand such
topics.-Be it so, their curiosity would
be awakened, they would investigate,
think, and even this would be a desira-
BILE improvement, and effect more for
the mind than twenty flatterng remarks
on beauty and accomplishments. Some
men have not the magDanimity to give
woman's opinions candid hearing; and
many ladies have found it more judicous
to concede an argument, than, by sue
cessful perseverance, to encounter the
i'll nature and ungenerous treatment
consequent on this mortified pride of
their antagonist. The ignorance of wo-
men has contributed much to strengthen
the opinion of their in.eriority in talents
But 1t should be recollected, that men,
ii equally destitute Of systematic edu-
cation, have numerous opportunities in
their transactions with society from
which women are debarrcd to acquire
information, to correct erroneous iudg-
msnts, and to call common sense into
exercise till it is manles, they possess it,
The superior volubility of many ignorant
females is alleged as proof of weaker
intellect. But persons of well Informed
minds, whether male OF female are sell
dom garrulous; the less people think,
the more they talk, hence the almost
continual chatter Of children.
Doubtless the question has entered
the mind OF the reader, what does the ad-
vocate tor female capacity desire? That
women should have share in public
business that they should become lie.
gislalors and commanders of cur ar
mics and vessels? By no means. The
idea is SO prosperous that the suppo-
silion is almost defamation. But my
object is to call the attention Of people
10 the subJcc, and produce items which
may induce them 10 pursue The inves,i-
CATION I'LL they do it justice. wish wo-
men to respect themselves too much TO
do mean action. Ii is an acknowledge
ed truth that every effect is produced by
su ad cQuate cause. Effects are as inse-
parably connected with their causes as
The leaves OF a tree are with the roots
which produce them. II noxious plant
IS TO be extirpated the root must be de-
stroyed, and 1t an error is TO be corrected
The cause must be ascerlalned and our
efforts must be directed against the
source Of the evil. Now, has not an I'M
dervaluing of female talents, and OF the
importance OF female excrions in socie-
,y, been The cause OF The great neglect Of
heir education The lear that acknow-
lodging the equal capacity Of women
and allowing them suitable education,
should induce them 10 assume an undue
authority, or to qui, their sphere, is
groundIess. Their motto would be-
To study household good,
| ''And good works in her husband &c pro-
mote,
els womal,'s highest honor and her praise"
They would then perform their several
duties from principle and choice, not
from conslrainl. The value of such ,
| VILE would be inestlmable TO her hus-
band, and her gratitude would be increas.
ed by his good opinion. The idea OF
bearing rule over her husband would be
disgusting to her mind, in proportion 10
her information and the correctness OF
her taste. II she considered her hus-
band erroneous, she would perform her
duty as friend by using her influence 10
correct his mistake, and the more her
wisdom and zeal, the greater would be
his security and benefit.
Let not'the management Of family
and domestic concerns be considered In
significant. They are weighty, and require
the same talents 10 secure the most beneti-
cial results, as The minister OF stale needs /
and an error in this limited department is
equally productive Of disorder, as in his.
The chiet difference is in the degree OF
information necessary, and the small and
great scale of operation. The happi-
ness and responsibility of family are
peculiarly dependent upon the mother.
by wise counsels, virtuous sentiments,
the beauty oil a consistent virtuous exam.
pie, and The sweet domestic felicity which
peryades her abode, SIC obtains the So.
perior affection and respect of her hus-
band, children, and domestics; securesJ
them from vice, and swee,ly engages
their hearts to exalted virtue and senti-
ments derived from a discreet and virtu-
Gus mother, may, in the persons oil her
children, eventually enligh,en and bless
a nation, and descend to the latest pos