Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1846-02-21
HONOR TO WOMEN.
BIG. r.. RstfsGKs.

may, hear me out, dearnephew. /
am NOT blaming you, but would have you
remember. .ha, though dear Lady Mallory
may be year or Two older than yours elf.
and though You have been accustomed for
years totrealher almost as an,elder sister,
yet she IS still most beautiful, young, and
deeply interesting; and wha. is still more
sc HE purpose, Ralph. she IS evidently 81
an affeclionale, warm. and sensible heart.
Now, Ralph, in the good world in which
we live. Lam sorry to say that men who
consider themselves persons Of high hon.
or seem TO place their dealings with wo-
men beyond the code Of laws by which
they regulate their dealings with other
men. The man who would think himself
disgraced, and would be SO in his own
eyes forever, if he we're 10 tel lie, 10
break promise or a vow-to cheat or
deceive, in the mos. trifling particular
TO mlsiead, BY any false showing wha,so-
ever, another man -scruples not, bu, TOO
often. to mislead, deceive. to break his
promise. 10 violate his oath TO a woman,
10 cheat her on. Of that which is her no.
"
1niiiv nf heart--to time w;.h her af1ec.
tons. TO insult, to dishonor. 10 5etray.-
Even after he has done so he is received
into society, courled, nal!ered, liked, and
the acts which should stamp him with
eternal iEiamy are regarded almost in the
same class with some gallant feats per-
formed in the chase-seme act Of skilful
policy or manly daring. There are some
however, who differ from the creed, and
who abhor such conduct. own myself
one Ralph. look upon il that The man
who behaves i'll 10 a woman, and vet
would not DO so 10 man, only shows
himself to be coward; for the only
cause which enables, permits or iustifies
any such act is. that woman cannot pro,
Tee! or avenge herself. She is trusted,
kalph. by God and by her weakness. to
mans honor; and if we prize our honor
We hold il really dear as true and YER
liable principle for the guidance Of cur
conduct. and not merely as fantastic
and relative notion TO be formed upon the
! opnion Of 0thers-we should be far more
'sn7ulous, delicate, thoughtful, in all our
FN' dhu IeelihgS tOWaruS woman IMAM
even towards man. We know that everv
Gentleman has his sword by his side to
redress himself il we do him wrong; but
Nsknow that woman has no redress but
silence, sorrow and endurance. Do no.
look grieved, Ralph, for Heaven forbid
Wa! should ever insinuate such charge
sa'ns. you, that you could knowingly
behave i'll, or would ever break vow, or
''a''nsly fail in any promise 10 woman!
KNOW you too well, Ralph-your mother
was my sister-i! is impossible. But
su9me'lmes men Of the very best princi>
Ises and inclina,ions do not consider suffi-
,,'en'ly that the structure Of woman's
~. .sa'' and feelings is as fine. as delicate.
"easlIy affected and injured as her cor
f rc'sal frame. We may uninteniionally
, ma thoughts. and expectations which
ss &c disappointed, for the qualification
ma rev hours in pleasant society; we
,say zach woman to believe that we
F,a 10 make tina. society our own forever.
s. ,on tia! belief may grow up feelings
'pe'' s'ronger, more enduring; and