Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-08-28

lasserts that woman has never I'D aHcIeu' ~
modern times exhibited those qualities
which dignity and characterize the leglsa-
tor and statesman. After having proceeded
in train Of argument, the falacy of which
think have sufficiently exposed, he asks
in triumphant manner, show could wo-
man, If subjected TO such hieh-handed IN
Justice, demonstrate her capacities for gov
ernment," and endeavors to trace an lncon-
sislencv. If had said, that in this country
/ at the present time, she exhibits powers OF
government equal to man, and had also said,
in the same communication, tha. she ls al
lowed no participation in the affairs oI gov
ernment, then would have been guilty oi
inconsistency and absurd,.y. This Is the
error into which "Common Sense" has tal-
len but when | asser, that in the history Of
the aror7d she has shown equally as grea!
powers of government, and that IN this
country Of free institutions and investment
of the powers of government in the people,
she is excluded from all participation IN the
affairs Of government, i, is quite different
thing. Your correspondents will now see
that "the Inconsistency and absurdity OF
such an argument" will not appear evidence
to every rehecting mind.
He maintains that man is guilty of no in
justice, because the women as body have
never claimed the privilege Of elective fran
chise. Neither have they as body through
out the country ever been offered it; and II
no injustice is intended, surely the offer is
worth making. and should be made. The
force of public opinion has no doubt deter
-oJ o,orI, th o de-
sire 10 participate in the atfairs of govern
ment; but maintain, that if the ladies'
throughout every State of this Union were
offered this privilege they would gladly &C
cept it. The work might begin slowly at
first, but gradually would it progress as pub
lie opinion against it subsided, until the
happy period Of universal suffrage would
dawn upon the destnies of the whole ma
ton. Again, your correspondent. contends
that as the minds Of man and woman differ
only in degree of power, the same laws that
apply TO one will also apply TO the other.
am not prepared TO admit eny part OF this,
but let me trace the doctrines here put forth
by him. The minds Of men differ IN degree
of power, and if only those exercised the
elective franchise. who possessed the supe-
riorily in intellect, it appears to me but
few would enjoy that privilege. Garry this
principle out, and what would be the con-
sequence? Our Republican institutions
would fade away. The very pillar on
which rests their chief strength would fall
Aris:ocracy would be established, and IN the
end universal despo,ism would ensue. But
is it true that woman has no separate nIe-
rest from man? By the admission of 'Com-
mon Sense" she has greater pbIloploge
liveness, and in the case Of divorce man has
the power Of making all laws in regard 10
her children. This then is separate inte-
rest; could enumerale many more, but too
much time and space would be consumed.
The solid basis of all governments Is mo-
rality; and woman's morality and the IN
nuence thereby caused is known and fell
throughout every portion Of the civilized
world. Legislation is founded upon moral
principles, and the men have no right TO
exclude those who are superior TO them in
the higher moral attributes, and it is only
their Glove of power" that induces them to
do so. pass over the attempt made to es-
tabish mans divine right to govern, for
am willing to place it on par with the dl-
vine right of kings. ] can tell 'Common
Sense" that no father, no husband, no bro
ther, can legsale for woman as we'll as she
can for herself, for it is impossible for her
feelings and wishes to be understood by any
as we'll as by herself.
Thus have |, Mr.. Editor, followed your
correspondent step by step through his COM
munication, TO the exclusion, fear, Of more
agreeable matter. His arguments are old
and stale, and think he has failed to estab-
| lish his positions.
| If The day were to arrive when this prvl-
lege were enjoyed by woman, she would
exercise as much influence politically as she
now does morally. What blessings would
be bestowed, wha. happiness distributed
The evils which tainl our political atmos-
phere would vanish. Instead of the harsh
and discordant songs of many aspiring men
who seek 10 advance their own interest al
the expense Of their country's welfare,
would be heard the gladstone tidings OF
harmony and purity, which would fall like
heavenly music upon the PATRIOTS ear Then
would every lover of his country, every
chersher of his eountry's welfare, as proud
as he now feels of her Institutions, have
more cause for pride and exultatIon, more
cause to hope for unruffied, undislurbed and
long-continued prosperity and happiness.
The radiant beams of sunshine which would
diffuse themselves over the whole country.
would dispel the noxious vapors tha. lead
to disunion and discord, and Heaven itself
would smile upon our country. Of wo-
mans patriotism it is needless to speak, for
"The patriot virtues
That dstend her thought, spread on her front
! And in her bosom glow"
f! EQUALITY.