Whig Republican. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1840-18??, 1840-12-10
Woman and Wedlock.

Thus pleasantly and truly writeth our wor-
thy editorial brother, Joseph Etter, of the
Washington City Native American. But re-
Gently he has yielded himself unto the pleas
ing persuasions of matrimony, and here are
his opinions of the guardian spirit whose pres
ence mikes life joyous. The truth of his tes-
timony viii be endorsed by every reader.
MAN has an understanding as sell as. q
heart. For the first he Graves knowledge; Tor
the second, he aes1rsS UpJecr 70 Iose.
Hence marriage some ;nvs ard
Ieassssusssss ~ Source of SO many 1oyss~s1ssss
sorrows, of SO many pleasures and pains; and
hence Loo the foundation of friendships formed
between persons of our own sex. Although
we are by no means disposed TO contest the
truth of the adage, that love conqueIs all
things, yet we are convinced, from our own
e~n.-iie.s,see and observation, that friendship
fannded ,nm. wine and similarity of taste
and disposition affords as rich banquet to the
heart as can be found in world where ever,
rose has its thorn, and every pleasure its al.
10y But we repeat that for friendship to have
this quality, it must be based upon virtue; and
the moment that either party swerves from the
principle ofrectitude, the foundation is gone,
and the superstructure falls to the ground; for
friendship is not the mere feeling of the heart;
but it is also the sentiment of the mind
Thus we may admire man on account of his
qualities, natural or acquired.
We may be concerned by his eloquence and
instructed by his wisdom. We may honor
him for his patriotism, and praise him for his
valor. But in all these there may not be mix
ed one particle of esteem, and esteem is an es-
sential ingredient in friendship; as without
it there is no attachment which should be Dig
nified by this name. In thus speaking of our
own sex we would not be understood in the
slightest degree undertaking the character of
woman The lovliest being of existence she
commands the homage of our love by the charms
Of herperson, and deserves our esteem by the
virtues which adorn her. In physical pow
sr she must also yield toher superiority. But
n modesty and virtue tenderness of feeling
and constnacg of loye--in the endurance
81 suffering and patience under the most
Affections who, that does her JUS
lice, will place her below man! We know
woman wells and this is our testimony con-
cerning her. In all that adorns and sweetens
domestic life-in all that is soothing in the !
hour of adversely and sorrow- in all that stills
he throDbfngs Of an agonized heart, and, irlI
Lhelanguage Of the eloquent Burke, ..cheats
life of It's buFthens' woman, the bone OIL
nan 4 bone and the flesh of mans flesh, stands
superior to this lord Of creation. He is not
|. wise man who would not assign to her q po-
;ition for which Providence does not intend
Ter; and he is not q good one, who would place
Ter below that for which she was designed:
such:is woman, beautiful Hover infhe waste
i human liie--a lovely star By whose mild |
md silvery beams we may be directed in our
pilgrimage through this world; and although
he CAUSE of s'man's first disobedence. and
ruit of our woes, Z yet, BY the dispensation Of
nercifni Providence: she has been the instru-
aent Of their ransom and the sJnndation Of
heir hopes being the first at liz cross. and
he Inst u tie grave. 8