Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1851-08-27
w Oman,s Sphere.

can hardly conceive that any rational man, should
regard womans present position the best for her
full development Who will deny that large por-
lion of the female half of the race, are msetdbly
defective in strength, in muscular energy, and in
general stamina and health Who will DENY that
Ihe majority of females deploraby ignorant not
only of the wide range of science and literature but
suf large amount of knowledge which Is necessary
TO fit them for the duties of life, and especially for
the duties of mothers? Who will deny that women
generally deprive OF that industrial educntion,
and those opportunities for fair reward of their Ia
Dor, which are necessary TO their living II life of
comfort, or escaping from poverty, drudgery, and
anxiety? Who will deny that thousands of females
with natural capacities TO he leaders teachers of
mankind, are kept at present in limited sphere of
usefulness, unconscious of their own power? In
Short who will deny that presen, social insiiI-
tons cramp and repress all female greatness? The
advocate of the present order can only claim that it
developes modesty and the affections the expense
Of all the other excelencies of character.
But even this claim is faacious for the love and
modesty of half developed woman far inferior
TO the qualities in great fully developed being
who would love nobly and wisely-not with sickly,
sentimental, hysterica jealous ondness, but with
strong intelligence and joyousness, which would
difiuse sunshine all near her winning presence.
The modesty oil an ignorant childish superst-
tious woman is far inferior TO tile modesty of an
intellectual and educated woman-accustomed TO
commune with nature in all her diversity-as the
flowers of mIIiner are to the flowers of Nature.
But it is commended that this high development of
woman is inpractcabe-tha when we give her
any wider sphere than the present. destroy all
the peculiar charms of her present character and
substitute therefor the masculine vices Of tho
other sex.
This is contrary to the indications of extensive ex-
reretce. Men deprived of female society are in
clined to ADOPT coarse and vicious habits, and wo-
men deprived of male society not thereby i'm
proved Bring the sexes together and mutual bene-
fits resus-man is rehned-woman is stimulated
and inspired with higher, nober ambition. Each
sex contributes TO elevate and deveope the Other
In accordance with the universal wisdom of creation
the sexes were ordained to react each other not
for evil but for good. 1t is the misfortune of society
present that this influence is too much restrained
The separation of the sexes is unnatural aud demon
azing in its tendency. Let the influence and pres
ence of woman he seen and felt everywhere, and
that influence will he altogether benignant. 1t will
improve the tone of our society, Of our business oil
professional life-and even Of our politics and gov.
ernment
There is one view especially which assures us
that woman should occupy the largest possible
sphere in the affairs of this world OF the immense
reforms which are TO be effected in almost all our
relations, how small is the amount that can be &C.
eonpshed by violence or by boodshed? How lit.
ale can be done even by indignat denuncation and
how often does simple argument totally fail to reacl
the convictions or TO change the conduct. But on
she other hand, how efficient how irresistible is
Kind and loving spirit. The tender hand of woman
can parry Tie Dayonet more ettectuaily than the
mailed arm OF the sodier-the bosom of the moth
eE will repel the sword more certainly than the
shield or cuirass of the warrior There is nothing
like female ministration to reclaim the drunkard Of
The criminal. Woman is ever ready to interfere be
Yeen angry combatants to prevent blood shed, anC
Tie influence of woman had heretofore been right
recognized by governments, the savage butcherl
war would long since have ended.
The world is still cursed with standing armies
nth tyrannies of many forns-with social, ecclesi
nc, pecuniary, political and military desposm.-
olence cannot relieve u.s. We may war agains
abuses with all the power Of the north wind, anc
may cause them, like the travellers cloak, TO b
ID more firmly against u.s. But the mild nfncnc,
q persuasion, kindness, love, sympathy, us dis
Eyed by woman, operates like the warm SUNSHINE
IN elaxing the stubborn attachment TO every socia
.cumbfance.
Man may denounce abuses, but the gentle minis
IF reconciliation and reform ID best in the hand
woman. Let us give her just position in IN
Ids government in the government of tn
J, and we shall have no more war, no NOR
- tary punishments, no more military rulers, n
Standing armies of hireng soldiers 10 NOR
~ &c Of unwashed, uneducaed, suffering, vaga
So''r children, TO swell the armies of thieves an
re- to fill our prisons and to poilute the moral Al
n.4sphere of the world.
s. the Infancy of human beings the tender for
giving love and wachfnlness of woman are indis
l.lnsabe; without them there could be but poo
Prospect for the morals, the health, or even the III
Of lie liItle helpless beings who possess the rud
Inents of ali goodness, but need the best influence
10 develop what is latent ia them In like name
may say, that in the infancy of the race the hars
aid OF military power is not the proper iniuenc
for its progress and health. In the present condo