Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-05-25

HE pIeseDt IL Ine HIST tBntufy, anu lnls
the first country, of the world, in which he
female ser, is collectively, and all qualities
taken into account superior 10 he male.-
Without comparing individuals, or touch
Ing the question of comparative cdpdbiiity--
without asking whether there could be fe-
male intellect like Webster or Clay, or fc-
malo planncr of a campaign like Taylor or
Scott-we merely call attention to the dggre-
gate qualities Of the two sexes. We say, look
at the aveiuge of the inen, and the average
Of the women Of America;--
Phsiculy--tffom such slavery TO business
as excludes exercise and checks the rebound
Of the natural spirits, from the hurried and
unsystematic manner of eating. and from in
attention to personal regularity and cleanli-
nessl-men have degencrated IN America,
and there is not one In twenty who is above
the average stature of woman, or is strong
or in body.
IrieLLeciudlly-th national admiration, for
nothing in young mnn but the nrt of ina
king money, the diseased and monomaniac
cupidity of meu of middle age, aud the
broken down constitutions and unfinished
minds of the few men who live to be old,
nre connecting causes which have thrown
intellectual culture mostly on the side of the
other sex. II is the women who read. 1t is
the women who are the tribunal Of any ques-
tion aside from politics or business. 1t is
the women who give or withhold literary
reputation. II is the women who regulate
the style of living, dispense hospitalities, ex-
clusiyely manage society, control clergymen
and churches, regulate the schemes of be-
nevolence, paironize aud influence the Aits,
and pronounce upon Operas and foreign
novelties, aud il is the women, 1--WE think
we may venture to ndd,) who exercise the ul-
innate control over the Piess--they being
the real constituency of every Journal that
gets TO the firesde, or that is conducted with
sny preiension 10 principle, or is not exclu-
siyely commercial.
Mordtly-the women of America nro SUI
perior 10 the men, to degree lthe mere fact
scarce need he asserted) which was never
known before in the history of nations.-
This, it is true, is partly accidental-our men
having no time except for vice ready-made,
and not being generally of quality that
could offer n temptation at oil dangerous TO
the virtue of the refined--5ut the fact is no
less tower Of strength to the other sex and
the prodigious elevation which is given by
virtue to all the other portious OF the churac-
ter is no less noteworthy as u reason for the
undeniable supremacy of female character
in this country. This was at the bottom of
The answer given by an American statesman
10 De Tocquevillc. The French philoso-
pher, after lamenting the corruption of our
elections, the bribery of our Legislatures,
the paying of INSCRIPTIONS partizanship
with our offices and diplomatic honors, and
the baseness of our political press, asked:-
"And now, what do you really rely upon, TO
save America from these growing elements
of destruction" Sos THE FIREsIDE " an
swered the American statesman.
-. -. -.
cation Of sentiment and IN consistency Of stand
ards Of opinion--the women OF America are
superior to the men, as probably no one will
deny.
We have thus given the reasons why We
look more gravely than some of our editorial
brethren, on the different conventions"
that have been held for the assertion of
"Women's Rights" and particularly on the
organized and formal one which has Just
taken place IN Ohio. Before making farther
remarks, let us briefly sketch the leading fea-
tures Of this meeting.
Here follow extracts from The Tnbune's
report, MIR. Grceley's commentary thereon,
(which we have already published, and some
curious references to ancient authorities in
relation to Woman. Mr.. Willis proceeds.]
Having thus given our readers the data we
can command, pro and con, for forming an
opinion on what is by no means the least
important "sgn OF lie times "-L,e .4meri-
can agitation Of The question Of the equality Of
The seres-let us briefly make n suggestion
as TO what seems practicable in the propos-
ed reform -
The power exists. Women nre, we fan
cy, strong enough, in our country. For Il
beginning, at least, il is principally impor-
tan, 10 inquire how the power they really
possess can be combined for action aud
wisely directed. With its application 10
good purposes and its increasing utility, ol
course the power would more eusily assume
it's true station, and woman would take rank
according 10 her manifest merits, with little
or no opposition.
But we doubt whether il could be brought
about by female freedom to vote. We agree
with MIR. Greeley that the ,porst women
would probably drive the best from the bal
iot-hox. An custer first step is wanted
eoniething that does not conflict directly and
gii,iely with the inbred habits OF the SEX
Viii the ladies' pardon onr bolduess, if We
venture TO suggest method, by which Fe.
male Power--that desired Quatrieme Etot--
may be organized, recognized, aud exercised
effectively and systematically.
Briefyi-
The favor and acquaintance of women is
thing they can give, or withhold, at will
No inan can hold up his head in a conmu-
nity without il. No man of any influence
position, or Office, would willingly risk d
public forfeiture of il. Keeping the doors
of society as women do, they could make
formal exclusion Immediately felt and, ever
were he disposed TO defy il HIMSELF the OF
tenders family aud relations, for him, woul'
inquire closely into his conduct and use thei
utmost endeayors TO prevent or remove tn
disgrace.
For this purpose of combined social ex
ciusion, the women of every CongresSiona
or Legislative District might form an Asso
ciation, either acting separately, or with ref
erence 10 larger State or National Con
vention that should meet by Delegates
They might subdiyidc into Society for eve
ny toyyu. SO aa 10 rench the honnQ and nai i.yh