Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1840-04-16

An ion With that CT adJpining eolontrs We
eskt o Qoebec-aad there Montgomery fell. We
return IN view The beautiful town Of Boston. and t,ke
our stand on Bunker Hill-,here Warren died.
We e,oss the delightful fields Of
Wooster bied. We continue our observation
through the Jerseys, tall we reach Princeton-,bere
Mercer persisted.
Even iroa, the Capitol in which we are assembled
We cast a lock 10 the Sooih. and The height Of Yer
MN ietnind usihai the mighty Washington SAUNDERS
there, who ioisook these peaceful shades FOR the tolls,
The dangers. * The prisaIiops ofthe saDguinary Held.
whrte. with thousands of others eqnslly brave and
ptiriotc, the enemies ofuuriighis were defeated
II is at lie ptice Of their blood that We, IN common
with your faif petitioners. oow enjoy these blessings.
When these rights we're threatened. ] regarded Il my
duly, in humble imitation of those apostles and
martyrs OF liberfy, 10 ofier my own life upon The altar
Of my county. To confirm 10 yon aud 10 them The per
msneni enjoyment ofthose blessings. A m.rciful
Providence protected me, and | end a twofold re-
campense IN The preservation OF our Institutions.
WHh these views. cannot reconcile IL to my
sense Of duiy 10 present The petition. | shall enier
into 10 discussion on the principle Of slavery. as tina,
Is not involved in the subject. can view II 10 no
other light than thai OF an Interference with The con-
stitutlonal rights of Others, and ~ such a way rs
lends to the destruction Of the rich inheritance pur-
chased by The blood and toll Of the fathers Of the
Revolution. Another circumstance exists, aside
iIom that | have noticed above. which would make
me reluctant 10 present this petition; IL comes from
f1 49, - 49, "H' " ~ e'''''
OF aIl civilized nations 10 occupy a higher place IN
society 'hpn that OF petitioners 10 a Legislative body.
II courtesy could induce me. on = subject that
could not become q matter Of injurious no,oiir,y,
10 present - petition rom females. yet should re-
gard II purely rs a matter Of courtesy, aud not Of
constitutional right. The rights of women are So
cure through The coaiscr sex-ileir fathers. Their
husbands and then brothers. IL is The right ola
woman TO maintain a modest refinement IN tho bus
lie OF pol''ies and OF war. She does moi appear aithe
rolls TO vote, because she Is privileged to be repre-
sen,ed there by man. She does not serve on lures,
nor perform The duties Of The bsiliH or exrcui,oner,
because II would be n drgfnddtion Of her digpiiy.-
She does not take npar,ns and meet her eoUniry's
10 =. because she is a privileged character, and man
is her substitute; who represents her in all these
drndgerirs. Every man Is bound by the perfect law
OF custom and Of honor 10 protect and serve her
This s The light IN which the law of God places the
woman. She is yelled and silent even in religious
Ills, ussions; not because she IL INV orihy, but be-
cause she IS exempt from the strife Of mao: and il
IS her right 10 observe that retired modesty which
renders her The object Of admiration and esteem.-
In his respeciihe Constitution Of our country is es.
rabl'shed upon The principle ofthc Divine Law. II.
The righis Of man arc inviolable, they are Of course
confirmed 10 woman aud The most dlenifed Of The
sex are the least inclined TO NEEDLE with public mat
le's' presume females who sign petitions would
not consent 10 The publication OF their names.
should be very reluctant TO be accessory to an ac,
which should. in any degree, cast u shade ofreproach
upon m individual of that sex whose modes, dig.
MY is the glo,y OF nan. Tnus, sir, have frankly
stated my views in returning the petition, as nov
do.
rust you will not deem it disrespectful TO you,
nor TO the ladirs ior whom you act. BE assured
that. Tor yourself Individually, | entertain high re-
specl; and could serve you personally, it would
give ne great pleasure TO do so. Though n stranger
Ia Tho Aigners oil Tie petition, do not doubt the re-
Of iheir characters; aud deeply regret
beng requested. on lheir behalf, TO perform an act
with winch cannot consistently comply; but with
the views which | entertain, | cannot settle, ,es,ii,
my regard Tor them dian by returning the petition.
Most respectfully.
K. JOHNSON.
LEwl TArrAS, Esq New York city.