New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-07-22
THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMAN
Translated from the German Of Charles Hinsen,
Editor Of he Deutsche ScknelipoSt.


The emancipation of woman has been a
good deal derlded, and sometimes with justice
Commonly II has been considered based on
misapprehenslon of woman's destiny, on an
abandonment OF her nature, and an encroach-
ment on the dominion OF man. Women them
selves have but too often given Use and support
10 the idea, by apng men IN eXternallties, and
by unwomanly display. But the emancipation OF
which we propose TO speak, has nothing IN com
mon with the dongs either of clgar-smoking or
Spur-wearlng women nor of huntresSes or anna
IONS; nor vet of learned women or blue-StOck
ings nor, IN fine of female politicians or Queens
" Z take II 10 be no Insult 20 the female sex 10
suppose them TO De IN their proper place, where
We meet with the manifestation of true humanl-
~, genuine cultivation, and pure nationality 49,
Were II otherwise, we would have 90 represent
the ideal of woman by the characteristics of a
vlrago. There Is, however, III this world moth
inc more odlous than such a being, even were
the masculine portions OF her nature elevated
and glonted 10y the Splendor of a crown. Eliza
beth OF England, so highly eulogled by her adj
mlrers, was less woman than monster. and we
may well be surprised that this " Virgin" hypo-
crite should ever have called forth the affections
of man.
The mann error IN the promotion OF woman :
emancipation has hitherto consisted IN this that
It's friends supposed It to be necessary, 10 afford
10 woman masculine education, to place her
IN respect 10 hlstorlCal development, on level
with man, and by degrees even 10 fit her for
soldiers life, whereas the real object ought TO
have been to emanclpate her as far as regards
her nights as human being, and As citizen, ~
accordance lcith the capacity II her Mature, and TO
Nlndlcate for this nature wider range OF Cevel-
opment and of action Because w 10 this tune
man alone has been able 10 give effect 10 MS
faculties, Il was believed, that 10 open 4 compe-
tent sphere 10 woman, we must begin by intro
duclng her INTO the domain proper TO man. An
emancipation OF this character would do but
little service TO woman This Will be rendered
clear II we take the reverse of the case. and
suppose enslaved, oppressed man 10 be freed by
giving nm woman's education, and placing INN
III the sphere of female action. Without a cor.
rect understanding OF and strict adherence to
me nature oil woman, the attempts at her eman-
clpauon must necessarily lead to many mistakes
and ridiculous errors. Women FREQUENTLY ex
press The wish 70 be men No one woman would
ever give u'ierance to a wish so unnatural and
desperate II opportunity and liberty were al
forded her 10 he wholly a woman
whenever woman transgresSeS the limits of
her nature and destiny her Imagination does not
offer her position sufficiently elevated on which
10 take her stand man who attempts 10 fy
beyond his sphere, arrives al last at point where
fancy, IN order TO magnify and glorify him. en-
dows him with superhuman character. He IS
called a giant a demon. a god Woman. in
breaking through her sphere, finds no higher DO
sition than the one left by man. Hence, She Will
ever remain his lmitstor.
The latter. IN his conceit loses no more than
his name, woman at the same time her sex To
be a goddess, woman must strive to be altogether
woman. An elevation OF woman, by mparting
to her masculine qualities, makes OF her an ob-