The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-09-19

the bland virtues OF domestic lite, that may
exist in utter separation from those prin-
ciples that lift man to his true dignity as a
moral being, and mould his character as
free from bIemisll in his public and civil
relations, as in his household affections.
The practical results, in a narrow range
altogether too confined for the power en-
ployod, though sufficiently wide for fair
experiment, give fair indications, nay, pos
tive proof, that with the same facilities and
encouragements more might and would
havebeen accomplished. Mans attention
to woman may be considered to large
extent as the test of his civilization. But
the progress of society has been measured
rather by the refinement of manners than
the elevation of principles. Fastidious
embellishments, dainty luxuries, effeminate
sofness in contradistinction from Thorough
independence of perhaps purer days-a
sickly, squeamish delicacy as opposed to
the plain simple.hearted honesty and can
dor of earlier times these are the way
marks by which we note our advance
ment. This is civilization, the march OF
mind, the illumination of the world. But
this is mere change of manners, a glitter
ing mantle thrown over deformity, paint
ing of the sepulchre. Why wreath a
corpse with garlands when, the breath of
life is at your commando Why plant
flowers upon a grave when there is re-
surrection power ready to expand over the
buried at your bidding? Why put bands
ofgold and silver upon the lion and fetter
him in his cage, that you may fondle with
out fear of his ferocity, when under your
instruction he might become gentle as a
lamb, and be useful in his freedom? Fe-
male influence has softened our rough ma
ture in its external developements, modi-
fed our depravity, and made US polite
when we might have been clowns. This
is the sphere assigned to- woman--in this
theatre she has received theplaudits ofthe
pit and the gallery. Shall sympathetic
imitation mould these coarse bodies-these
heavy muscles into graceful shapes and
courteous attitudes, and can the charmer
do no morel These are Insignificant a
chievements-lever power to move an In
fants burden-a lapidary at work upon
common pebbles when gems and Jewels
are thick about him. Woman can do
more. 1t is her province, her. right, her
duty. Minds, morals, characterrome with.
in the range of her responsibilities, and
her action upon these oug ght to be cheered,
encouraged, upheld by public sentiment.
She should trace the lessons of wisdom
with careful hand upon the infant mind
natures most impressible page. The
letters single and in combination should be
worthy of the nature on which they are
and the writing such as would
pass the scrutiny of the Eternal eye. She
should culture morals with gardeners
care, and the high securities Of her appro-
bationand example should enclose the pre-
cious interest as a wall of defence. No
charge of fastidious feeling ough to check
ler zeal whenshe utters her rebuke of sin.
No indelicacy imputed when she levels her
Frown on popular vice. No boldness
overstepping the limits of prudence should
De set down to her account when she dis
lains the acquaintance and courtesies of
he vicious and the dissipated. No it is
Inc majesty of Virtue in her gentlest form,
guarding individual and collective charac-
er and the world should do it homage. 1t
s the embodiment of purity-a tu.elar di-
Unity rebuking the rage of passion and
upon vice the sentence of
,utlawry. from the sympathies and endear-
nents OF life's most cherished ministry. 1t
s woman loved, and loving, protecting her
homestead from the footstep ofthe ruthless
,illain-guardingthe Eden ofherheart from
he blight of the serpents breath and the
poison of the serpent's fang.
Iwould that the ladies throughout Chris
endom were combined infexibly and sys-
ematically to refuse their friendship and
ociety to the proaigate and the vile. Why
oould a female be compelled by popular
Judgment to treat with respect man
whose moral character she despises-deal
,ut the courtesies oflife with equal hand
o the good and to the bad, to the pious and
o the profane! 1t is unjust-a compli-
nent to sin-a compromise with wicked
less, in which virtue suffers-an uncondi-
ional surrender without reservation or
ven the promise of mercy from the foe.