Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-04-09

IA free. . powerful. and happy nation
We stand unrivslled in The canals Of the
WORLD.
forming The eye alternately to every
region OF our eountry. IL 10 greeted with
me smiles Of happiness. amid the scenes
o. liberty. and peace. and plenty; and yet
tmagsnAiion freqaen.ly panses upon tho
ioee,ue: which remiad Ne Of The price at
vnssn these blessings were gained. Do
We eomPare our eohdit;oa WITH tksf OF ad-
Joining coioaisss We look % Quebee-
and there Montgomery Tell. We return
TO view the beautiful town OF Bos.oo and
take our stand on Bunker HlI--ibere
Warren died- We esess the d.lish,(ui
6eIts OF Standardization Wooster bled.
We coatinue our observation through the
Jerseys. Gil We reach Prnceton--thsre
Mercer persisted.
Even from the Capitol In which We are
assembled. We cast look 20 the South.
and the heights Of veruon remind "a,
that the mighty wsshington slnmbsr.
there. who forsook these peaceful shades
ios the tolls, the dangers. and the priva-
ions Of the sanguine 6eld where. With
thousands Of others equally brave sad pa
trtottc. the enemies OF our rights were De.
issted 10 IL at the price OF their blood
thai We IN common with your fair petit
tioners. now enjoy these Blessings. when
these rights were again ihresseSed. Ire.
gsrded It my duty in humble imitation Of
those apostles and martyrs Of liberty. 20
offer my own life upon the altar q! NV
country, 10 eonirm 10 you and to them
the permanent enjoyment Of those bless-
ings. A mereifnl Providence protected
me, and fnd twofold reeompense in
The preservation Of our Institutions.
With these views. cannot reconcile il
TO my sense OF duty 10 present the petit
ton. shall enter into no discussion on
ths PEineiPls Of slavery. Is that Is MOI IN
voived IN the subject. can view IL in
no other light than that OF IN Interference
With the constitutional rights OF others.
and in such way ~ tends 10 the desiruc-
lion Of the rich inheritanee purchased by
the blood and toll Of the fathers Of the
Revolution. Another circumstance ex.
ists aside from what have noticed above
which would make me reluctant TO pre-
sent this Petition-ii comes from ladies
ordained By nature and by the customs OF
all civilized nations, 10 occupy higher
place in society than that Of petilions to a
legislative body.
If courtesy cesld Induce ne on sob
jet that could not become mstler Of
injurious notoriety. 10 present q petition
from femalss. yet I ahoald regard Il pure
ly a. matter Of courtesy. and not OF con.
Stitutional right. The rights Of women
are secure through the eoaresf sex--their
fathers. their hnsbands, eDa their broth
eTs. II is The right Of wSman - main.
tain modest retirement n The bnsile Of
politics end Of yer. She does not spPesr
az the polls 10 vote. heeause she IL pTivi-
legged to be represfnied there By man.
She does not serve 90 iuFios, nor perform
tbe duties Of the baiiilfue sxeenlioner. be-
cause IL would be ee1reaotioa Of her
dignity. She does uog fska % arms aud
meet her eognlsy's foes; because she IL
privileged character, and men Is her sub
stituse, Who repsesenss hsT h ell these
drudgsgiss. Every man u b6aad by the
perfect Ian Of eusl6m; end q hancr. Ia
protect and serve her. This e. sHe hakk
in which he law Of God places The No
man. She 10 vsiled and silent scsn b
religious diseussioBs; not because abe IL
nnwosthy. bat because she 10 axampl
from the strife q man; and il Is her siRhl
20 obssFSe sies retired imodesty wbfeh
EsHdsfs Der the object q p5pirstien and
esteem. In this respcst. the Coassiiution
OF our country is eassblishsd 0pcn the
principle Of the Divine law. iifthe rights
OF man are inviolsble. they are Of course
confirmed 10 women; and the most diRni.
fed of the sex ere the least inclined 70
NEEDLE with public matters. Iptesuns
females, who sign petitions, would not
consent to the pablication or their names.
/ should be very reluctant 10 be aceesso-
~ 70 an act which should, IN any degree.
cast shade Of TePF0aeh upon en- indivi-
dual Of that sex; whose modest''dignisy 10
the glory Of man. Thus, sir, / have
frankly stated my views In returning The
petition, as ! now do.
trust you will not deem Il disrespaet-
TAI 10 you nor 10 the ladies' loE when Won
act. Be assured that. fOg yourself indivsd.
usliy, I entertain high respect; and could
serve you personally. il would give ne
greA. pleasure do 90. Though q stranger
10 the sigaeFs Of Tia petition, do not
doubt the FesPeetability Of their character.
and deeply regret being requested. on
their behalf, 10 perform an set With which
cannot eonsisienlly comply, but with the
views which enlertsin, I canaat batter
testify my regard for them than by return
ing the petitions.
Most EssPseiGOlly.
RIM JOHNSON.
LRWIs TaPRAw Pa NJ Yosl go,