Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-06-03
Co.u.uU,xc.xTYo.,,s.

JANIsos, on the subject Of Literature ard its ge-
me, and was, no doubt satisfactory to his ntelh-
/ gent auditory. . The speaker, it occurred to me,
was happy in his references the potent influence
which may be exerted by the :" softer seq the
constitution OF society; and he went no, whit too
far, in declaring that, by their sweet, persuasive
agency, civilization is elevated and refined the
passions Modified and soothed and sll the higher,
nober feelings of our nature called into action.
Every who possesses spark of chiyalry-
every man Of exalted feel;ng-eyery gentleman
must endorse the speakers compliment. The La
dies (Hsayen bless them) give zest to existence:
they are, emphaticslly, LIES life"
When see. daily, the influence, which, the pre-
sence and society Of females, who, perchance. have
piness Of the members of that circle wherein they
move shall we, can we, deny to the sex an elevat
ed place in the economy of civilization. when to Ma
lures teachings have been joined the adventitious
requirements of learning and knowledge. general
ly2 The action and reaction Of gallaniry and CT
vilizaton is curious, and highly honorable to the
fair daughters of our land Where Freedom dwells,
the Ladies most honorcd and most loved: and
where Woman takes her proper position in society,
slavery cannot exist-yee will hide itself-and ell
ovation OF mind, Propriety of thought and depth Of
affection will exist in all their yigor. Honored by,
she confers honor upon, the other sex--and the
" Lords of creation" in wedging the males
y of Beauty, derogaie not from their ancient pre-
rogatve of superiority.
The influence Of the sex freely acknowledged by
ingenious minds-is the more palatable to the mass
from the fact that its force is silently exerted and
exerted only for good can compare its power,
Mr. Editor, to nothing appropriate, than to
that of The Press, which, with mighty energy, regu-
lates every throb Of the nations pulse--wth this
difference, however, that, whereas the latter may
lose its legitimate action, the former never will.
That much of the misery of this world from the
earliest periods to the present time, has been caused
by degradation of the sex, is proposition which re-
qurss no demonstration; and, that vast blessings
have been enjoyed by communities in which Female
excellence was appreciated, is equally true.
81 Had Cesar known but Cleopatra kiss
Rome had been free, the world had not been his.
And what have Cgssr's deeds and Caesars fame
Done for the Earth II
1t is the remark of judicious author, that there
have been three powerful spirits, which, from time
to time have moved over the face of the waters,
and given predominant impulse to the moral
timents and energies of mankind. These are the
spirits Of Liberty, Religion, and Of Honor.
Whatever energy the love Of Liberty, or the
frenzy of Religious zeal has impaired to mankind.
at separate epochs has been equalled by the potent
sway Of the principle of Honor. Time was, when
chivaly was the animating and cherishing hand
maid to Honor. But, in the progressive advance
ment of civilization and refinement, that attendant
has given place to its superior, and former stimu-
lus, the Female sex. In the production Of such
sentiments as ere embraced by the distinctive ar.
pellation of Honor, the sex acts more through
the medium of chivalry. Its power is now directly
exerted-ts potency acknowledged. The venera-
ton which the elevated mind feels for Woman
high spirited and virtuous Woman-is the conse-
quencs of her being so; aud not, cyncs affect to
and virtuous, is practically illustrated by the fact,
that those rude sports which delight the Russian
serf, and German peasant, and IN which Woman
cannot participate, hold no place in the affections OF
our people. We only recognize these as becoming,
wherein she can display The fascinating graces, and
/ give scope to the peculiar charms, which the God
of nature has endowed her with, to counterbalance
the masculine strength and energetic prowess of the
sterner sex. Honor, the last named principle, will
exist. in full vigor, so long as the deserves the
respect of honorable men: in a word, it is pereA-
NAL.
/ Since the overthrow Of the Roman empire by the
northern barbarians the state Of society in Europe
has been advancing in improvement, The people
of this country have not been surpassed IN this
change, by their transatlantic brethren: and the
men Of this land, who burst asuuder the shackles
that bound themselves, have not been tardy in re-
leasing the better half of creation from barba
roas badges OF inferiority which have too long at
tached to them. But, in this good work, they
must be sustained by the fair objects of their solicit
rude Experience teaches that, as mans natural
rouehness ia fasped of by the progress Of science
and arts, and wealth becomes universally dlaused,
taste for the more elegant enioyments of life will
arise, and WoMAs will attain an sscendanoy, at
first in the unoecuried and lighter hours, and, f.
naly, in the serious pursuits of life Hsnce, it is
her peculiar province promote this state of things
and nothing will aid her more in asserting her
claims to full enjoyment of equal prioileges than
the possession of requirements which must elevate
her in the estimation of honorable acquaintance
and cause her to be loved by him, whom she has
chosen " for better-lor worse"
The speaker reviewed the subject in various as
poets, and in all, freely acknowledged that much
depended upon the Touching upon the duties
of mothers in training the infant mind, he clearly
pointed out how heavily the destines of the child
hung upon instruction impaired by the parent.
tits hoped, that the Ladies OF our viage-intel
lisent as beautiful---amiable intelligent-will
act upon the suggestion thrown out by the speaker
10 form soclGrY, into which kindred spirits OF
the opposite sex will alone ba admitted; or, il II
cannot bc done, that each Lady, in the choice Of
her male associates, will endeayor conform TO the
rule--and de'iale from ii only when imperious ne
cessi,y to,oes.
/ r.JAMIsoS intimated, if memory serves Alright
that last Saturdays lecture was introductory, mere
~: and shall hook forward y,ith plaasure IN the