Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-08
THE WRONGS OF WOMAN.

1t is often spoken of with horror and
with indignant Reproduction tina, in some
barbarous countries women are treated as
mere slaves to men. We who claim TO
live in civilized society, are often found
Boosting of the change we have wrought
in this respect. We triumph in the asser-
ton of the fact that the weaker sex have
here been restored TO the enjoyment of
their just rights; that they are not driven
forth to labor in the field like beasts of
burden, and that the harsh dominion and
unequal advantages exercised over them
by the self-styled "Lords of Creation" have
been swept away by the influence of civil
cation and christianity.
We apprehend that close observer
might find reason to doubt the justice Of
our large pretensions in this respect. Any
one who thoroughly scans the position
which woman actually holds in society;
the disadvantages and invidious distinc-
tions which she is compelled TO suffer, and
the superior privileges enjoyed by the
other sex, will perhaps find that if her
condition has been improved in some re-
spects il has been rendered infinitely worse
in others. Our space will not permit us
to 60 into full investigation of the sub.
ject and we intend 10 allude only to
single point.
We refer TO the virtue of chastity. Not
we think the sentence of public opinion
whit too harsh upon the female who may
want that virtue, but because of the odous
and unjust distinction between the sexes
in this particular. True, the sentence upon
woman for the slightest alteration. for a
single offence, is infinitely worse than
death. She is. in truth. doomed to perpet.
ua Punishment from society:
"One false step f'rever blasts her fame"
We find no fault with this. 1t is just
AMI right that il should he so. But what
we complain of, in behalf of the whole
female sex is, that while justice and judg-
ment are thus visited upon them, the other
sex. though stained in this respect with
guilt of far deeper dye, are permitted
to walk abroad with perfect impuniiy.
Let even suspicion light upon the devoted
head of woman. and the indeble mark of
Cain is instantly fixed upon her, and she is
doomed to wander forth fugitive on the
face of the earth. Nay, SO nice are the
sensiblites of society upon this subject
that mere suspicion is often taken for proof.
and spotless innocence is doomed to suffer
the terrible vengeance of public opinion.
While all this occurs in regard to weak
and helpless woman, man. who styles him.
self her liege-lord and protector, SCOTS a,
her shame, and trumphs in his own. The
heartless libertine, by the deepest and
most accused arts, seduces her from The
path of innocence, then "casts her like a
, loathsome weed" The guilt, foul and fear
ful as it is, and doubly damned as it de-
!, serves to be, is all his own; and yet the
: punishment, and the whole punishment
lights upon the poor head of KS weak, de-
] luded, helpless victim. The curse falls upon
her alone, while her infamous destroyer
= the really guilty party, is received, courted
), caressed and smiled upon in society-aye
f forsooth in Civilized society," May not bar
= barians who harness their women TO tn