Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-06-01

1 :. 1N~SsiOHo Va Do
hty-snd weigh, with avoirdupoise ex-
ac'ness, the balances Of power. The
convention was sitting-we beg pardon
Of the matrons ofthe hen-coop for unwit-
hnsiy using the expression-we meant
10 say, the convention was in session
several days, and from the accounts civ.
en- by those in attendance, the presiding
divinit'es- what other phrase shall we
use '-there being no cbair,men or pres.
idents-and PresidrRtesses aud vice pres
ideatesses are too long words for ready
and euPhonious enunciation 1.-The COVER
nesses-Eaye. that's the word THE go-
vernesses. then, strove to imitat. the
proceedings OF the public meetings of the
other sex. There was, therefore, a stage.
or forum. Oh which sat the governesses
like Juno, and her maids of honor.
There were, ofcourse, resolutions spon.
tdneousiy cut and dried before hand
and ora!ors-we beg pardon-o ratoresses
10 move, second, elucidate and enforce
them. These, moreover, were present
ed, and regularly introduced 10 the au.
dience. And oh, what eIoquence breath
| ed sweetly forth from their sweeter
lips. How melting their pa,hos How
horticultural their metaphors How gen
tie their invective How soothing their
indignation! Oh, cruel, ctnel women
how could you have hardened YOUR
sympathizing hearts to degree of indu-
ration prompting you to shut your doors
and deprive the world Of MAN, of the
high privilege of drinking from those
rich rivers Of rhetoric which flowed
through the broad aisle Of gathering up
some of those bright gems Of genius that
dropped sparkling upon the foors The
lost Pleiad was but safety fund bank
note, in comparison with that of our
greatly abused sex in this matter of pet
ticoat philanthropists |
To what precise purpose have been
all these proceedings, is mystery vet to
be evolved. since, for once, as we have
already intimated. a Presbyterian church
was turned into cloister. and the Hotel
Dieu itself is not more closely shut a.
gainst the eyes Of vulgar and imperti.
ncnt curiosity, than were those of that
convertible to all but the initiated. But,
II the chains of the slaves do not all drop
! from their limbs withiR a fortnight-if
the dark legions of the South do not
march forth in triumphant phalanx, IRE
deemed, regeneraied and disenthralled,"
before the moon changes-thep, indeed,
have the days of chivary departed.
What shall il be said that the voice of
women is to be heard in this free land of
slaves. in vain Spirit of Aspasia for.
bid it! Shall it be said that the aboi-
ton armies shall not be led by womeA
Spirit of the Maid of Orleans forbid it
Shall it be said that women shall not
hold Parliaments2 Spirit Of Lady Anne
Clifford forbid it !--Shall it be said that
women ought not to wear the unmen-
lianables Spirit of the gentle Mrs.
AantiPpe Socrates forbid il! Shall it be
said that ladies shall not mount the ros-
trum, and be eloquent? Spirit OF Fanny
Wright Darusmont forbid it shall It
be said that ladies do not make the best
statesmen :? Spirit of Boadicea and E.
iIzabeth forbid it Shall it be said that
women cannot whet the knife of insur-
rection? Spirit of Charlotte Corday for
bad ii! Shall il be said that beauty has
lost its power, bright eyes their spells,
carnation cheeks their soft influence
ebon ringlels their attraction, and cher
ry-riPe lips their witchery9 Spirit of
Mrs. Anne Royal forbid it, No. -
Far from every American bosom be the
unworthy thought! In the language of
the eloquent Junius-"The divine right
OF beauty is the only divine right free
man IS bound TO acknowledge, and n
pretty woman the only tyrant he is not
authorised to resist" Let every slave
holder, then. bow 10 the decision of this
grand convention of feminine notabies
Let him fortify and arm his domicil-
gather in his horses and poultry-grate
his windows and double lock his doors
and thee-uneducated and unprepar-
ed--w jthout houses or homes, or means,
or Industry, or food, or lriends-carry
out the doctrines of the immediate aboli-
tionisis, by letting his slaves march forth
to revel IN the unfed luxury Of liberty
to steal or to s:aTve in all the proud ma
Jesty Of freemen!
But, after all, we may be wrong, and
IT may be all exactly right and proper,
Tor women, in this age OF utiIitarianism,
to neglect their domestic duties-the
care OF their children, and the comfort
OF their husbands--to roam about the
country like SO many female Quixottes,
IN search OF adventures in philanthropy
malmesbnry relates Of Alfgina, the mo.
Their OF Edgar, that she was present in a
Parliament, aud that Queen Sexburga
had spirit by which she could mildly
govern her subjects. or by force tame her
enemies, and that she could so comport
herself that M d;Garenca sa,, tbol Of