Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-01-27
FEMALE INFLUENCE.

The following striking and eloquent rem arks
are from Snpgestions on E::ucaton," by Ca
UTERINE Z. BELcHEH:
. Woman has been bu little aware OF the hleh
indictments that should stimulate 10 the cult :
vatiou Of her noblest powers The world Is
no longer 10 be governed by phys'eal force, but
BY The influence which mind ers'is orsr mind
How are the g,ea, springs of &C ion IN the po
litical world put in motion? Ohen by The Sc
cret workings Of single mind. that in retire
ment plans its schemes, and comes torih
to execute thrm only by presenting MOVIES
Of prejudice, passion, self interests, or PRIDE,
10 operate on other minds
Now the world is chiefly governed by mos
tiv.s tina, men are ashamed TO otUn. When do
W. find mankind acknowledging that their ct
forts in political lif' are the of'pring OF pride,
and the desire Of self ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and yet
who hrsiates 20 believe this is tru'!
But there is class Of motives that men are
no, only willing but prouG 10 own. Man dos S
no, willingly yield to force; he is ashamed 10
cwn he can yield 10 fear he will not acknow
ledge hi, motives of pride, prejudice, or pas
sion. But none are unwilling 10 own they can
be governed by reason; even the worst VIII
boas, OF being regulated by conscience, and
where is the person who Is ashamed 70 own
the influence of the kind and generous emo
lions of the heart? Here, then, is The only
lawful field for the ambition of our sex. Wo-
man in all her rela ions, is bound 10 honor
and obey" those on whom she depends Tor pro.
tcc,ion and support, nor does the truly i'mi.
nine miud desire to exceed this Limitation oil
Heaven. But where the dicta'es OF authority
may never control, the voice OF reason aud al
f.c,,on may ever convince aud PERSUADE; anc
while Others govern by motives Iha mankind
are ashamed TO own. he dominion OF woman
NAV be tasrd on Influences that the heart is
proud to acknowledge.
And il is indeed The truth, that reason and
conscience guide 10 the only path Of happiness
and If offrciion will gain hold on those pow
erful principles which can be attained no other
way, what high and holy motives are presented
to woman for culivating her nobles' powers
The developement Of he reasoning faculties
the destinations OF purified imagination, the
charms Of Q culliva,ed tas e, the quick percep
tons OF an active mind, the power Of exhibit
ing ruth and reason, by p-rspicuous and AMI
mated conversation and writing, all these eau
be- employed by woman as much as by man
And with ,hese aitainablr faculties for gaming
influence, woman has already received from
the maud of her Maker, those warm aztec ions
and quick susceptibIli,ies, which Can mos
surely gain the empire of tie heart
Woman has never waked to her highest DIES.
TIMES aud hottest hopes. She has yet to learn
the purifying and blessed Influence she may
gain and m ain,ain over the intellect and affpc
tons Of he human mind. Though SHE my
not leach from he poriico, nor thunder IRON
hr foi um, in her scores re'rements she may
firm aud send for'h the p lges tha, shall govern
and rennvs the world. Though she may no
! GRID herself for bloody c"n1cl, nor sound the
lrumpe, Of war, she NAV enwrap herself IN he
panopy of Heaven, and send the thrill OF bene
violence through a thousand you hfu hearts -
Though she MAY not enter the lists IN leg.
collision, nor sharpen her intellect amid the
passions and conflicts Of man, she may teach
the law Of kindness, and hush up the discord'
and conflicts Cliff Though she may not be
clio. he'd as the ambassador Of Heaven, nor mi
mister al the altar Of God, as a secre, angel Of
mercy she may teach its will, and cause 10 as
cend the humble bu, mos, acce2'rd sacrifice.