Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-06-14

goreus, by little and little they improved
them. The forest fnded away, the savngo
disappeared, the wild beasts were destroyed
and the hopes, and prophetic visions of The
far seeing powers in the new aud untried
country, were more than realized.
Permit the to draw comparison between
the situation OF Our forefhthers in the wilder
ness, without even so much as a bride path
through its dark depths, and our present po-
sition. -
Tho old land, of moral, social and political
privilege, seems too narrow for our wants
its soil answers not to our growing-and we
feel that we see clearly better country, that
we might iuhabit But there are mountains
of established law and custom, to over
come. A wilderness of prejudice to be
subdued. A powerful foe of selfshness and
self-interest to overthrow. Wild beast of
pride, envy, malice and hate to destroy. But
for tho sake of our children, and our child
rens children, we have entered upon the
work. Hoping and praying that we may bo
| guided by wisdom-susiained by love, and
led aud checrcd by the earnest hope Of do
ing good.
shall enter into no labored argument to
prove that woman does not occupy the posi-
ton in society, TO which her capacity Justly
entities her.
The rights of mankind emanate from their
natural wants and emotions. Are not the
natural wants and emotions of humanity
common too, and shared equally by both SEX
es Z Docs man hunger and thirst, suffer cold
and heat, more than woman? Does he love
and hate-hope and fear JOY and sorrow moro
than woman?
Docs his heart thrill with deeper pleasure
in doing good? Can his soul writhe in
more bitter agony under the consciousness
of evil or wrong?
Is the sunshine more glorious, the air moro
quiet, the sounds of harmony more soothing,
| the perfume of flowers more exquisite, or
forms Of beauty more soul-satisfying to his
senses Than TO hor--,o all these interogatores
every one will answer, No!
Where then did man get the authority,
that le now claims over one half of humani-
typ From whnt power, the vested right to
place woman-his partner, his companion,
his help-moetin in lilo--in an inferior position?
Came it from nature? Nature made wo-
man his superior, when it made her his
mother-his equal when il fitted her to hold
the sacred position of wife q? Does he draw
his authority from God-from the language
OF holy writ? MOI For it says that, NIalc
and Female created he them, and gave them
dominon.' Docs he claim under the law of
the land? Did woman meet with him in
council, and voluntarily give up all her claim
to be her own law maker? Or did the ma
jesty of might, place this power in his hands?
the power of the strong over the weak?-
make man the master' Yes, there, and
there only he gains his authority!
In the dark ages of the. past-when ignor-
ancc, superstition and bgotry, held rule in
tho world. Might made the law. But tho
undertonc-the still small voice of Justice,
Love and Mercy, have ever been heard,
pleading the cause Of humanity, pleading for
truth aud right. And their low soft tones of
harmony have sollened the lion heart of
might, aud by little and little, he has yield
ed as the centuries rolled on. And man as
well as woman has been the gamer by every
concession.
We will ask him TO yield still-to nllow
the voice of woman TO be hcnrd--to let her
take the position which her wants and emo
tons seem TO require, to enjoy her natural
rights. Do not answer, that woman's posi-
ton is now all her natural wants and emo
tons require. Our meeting here together
this day, proves the contrary. Proves that
we have aspirations that are not met. VIII
il be answered, that we are factious, discon-
tented spirits, striving to disturb the public
power, aud tear up the old Businesses of
society," So it was said, ofJesus Christ aud
his followers, when they taught peace Oh
earth and good will TO man. So II was said
of our forelathers, in the great struggle for
freedom. So it has been said of every re-.
former that has ever started out the car of
progress Oh new aud untred track.
We fear not man as an enemy. lie is our
friend, our brother. Let woman speak for
herself and she will be heard Let her
claim with a calm and determined, yet low
ing spirit, her place, aud it will be given her.
pour out no harsh inyectiye against the,
present order of things-against our fathers,
husbands aud brothers, they do as they have
been taught. They feel as society bids
them, they act as the idl0 requires. Wo-
man must net for herself d flcs
Oh, it all women could be impressed with
the importance of their own and with one.