Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-02-18
FEMALE INFLUENCE

HE following striking eloquent remarks
are from "Suggestions ON Education " bxc,-
rHARISE E. BELcHER.
Nv oman has been but little aware of the
nigh indictments that should stimulate to the
cultivation Other noblest powers. The world
Is no longer to be governed by physical force,
but by the influence tchich mind ererfs orer mind
How are the great springs of action in the no
hucal world put in motion? Often by the
secret workings of a single mind, that in re-
hrement plans its schemes. and comes forth
10 execute them only by presenting motives
Oh preIudice, passion, self interest or pride, to
operate on other minds
:. VOC the world is chiefly governed by mo-
dves that men are ashamed to o,c,l. When do
we find mankind acknowledging that their ef-
forts in political life are the offspring ofpride.
and the desire of self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, and
yet who hestates to believe this is true?
But there IS class of motives that men are
not only willing but proud to own. Man
does not willingly yield to force; he is asha-
med to own he can Weld to fear he will not
acknowledge his motives of pride. prejudice,
orpassion. But none are unwilling to own
they can be governed by reason; even the
worst will boast Of being regulated by con-
science, and where is the person WHO'S asha-
med to own the influence of the kind and
generous emotions of the heart? Here, then.
IS the only lawful field for the ambition of our
sex Woman, in all her relations, is bound
10 honor and obey those ON whom she de-
ponds Tor protection and support, nor does
the truly feminine mind desire to exceed this
limitation of Heaven. But where the dictates
OF authority may never control, the voice Of
reason and affection may ever convince and
do. nd RI, 4
that mankind are ashamed to own, the domin-
ion Of woman may be based on influences
that the heart is proud to acknowledge.
And it is indeed the truth, that reason and
conscience guide to the only path of happi-
ness, and if affection will gain hold on those
powerful principles which can be attained no
other way, what high and holy motives are
presented to woman for cultivating her no
blest powers. The Development Of the rea-
soning faculties, the destinations Of purified
imagination, the charms of a cultivated taste,
the quick perceptions of an active mind, the
power of exhibiting truth and reason, by per-
spicuous and animated conversation and wri-
ting, all these can be employed by woman as
much as bv man. And with these attainable
faculties for gaining influence, woman has al
ready received from the hand of her Maker,
those warm affections and quick susceptible
ties, which can most surely gam the empire OF
the heart
Woman has never walked to her highest
desiinias and hottest hopes. She has yet to
learn the purifying and blessed influence she
may gam and maintain over the intellect and
affections of the human mind. Though she
may not teach from the portico, nor thunder
from the forum, in her secret retirements she
may form and send forth the pages that shall
govern and renovate the world. Though she
may not grid herself for bloody conflict, nor
sound the trumpet Of war, she may enwrap
herself in the panoply of Heaven, and send
the thrill of benevolence through thousand
youthful hearts Though she may not enter
the lists in legal collision, nor sharpen her in
tellect amid the passions and conflicts Of man,
she may teach the law of kindness and hush
up the discords and conflicts of life. Though
she may not be clothed as the ambassador of
Heaven, nor minister at the altar of God, as
secret angel of mercy, she may teach its viii
and cause to ascend the humble but most ac-
cepted sacrifice"