New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-09
THE SPHERE OF WOMAN.
Letter from DIrs. L. 0akes Smith.
n A. ~. IL ia. AZ Trihnne.

Letter from DIrs. l.. Oakes Smith'
" ne Editsr Of The N. y. TribnHs;
Some weeks since | saw in your paper
notice of the "New. York State Temperance So
eiety," in which appears the following paragraph
aTbe greater portion Of the afternoon session was
consumed In consideration OF proposition made oy Dr'
Vaudeville, Of Albany 10 strike out the sentence IN tue
report Of the Exc cuuve Committee complimentary "
the Womess State Temperance Society and suostltut-
lps sentence ndOrsins the ehO Is OF Woman Ia her
prcper sphere-the social and domestic circles Toe
debate was very Interesting, speeches pro and con be-
ing made by large number OF the members Inc
proposition adopted by vote OF 62 To 09'
Now have not word to say about the move
ments Of my sex in regard to the Temperance
cause The women who have labored in this field
GeNbundanty able to defend their own position;
bat please allow me word in regard to this ever
lasting talk of Woman sphere. No one has
hOEer reverence than my self for the domestic re.
laiions Of women. No one would more strenuous
ly advocate the true, beautiful aspect Of life
svOhtd there but is this all Is not the world
full Of women who are able to garland the Affairs
Of the Penstes, and vet bear the palms and olive
branches Of nobler walk who reverence the
sahebties OF home, and yet wear the laurel most
Sorthly upon their brows just as our brothers
invest themselves with the dignities Of paternity,
and yet wear the civic or professional wreath
They do not feel that their whole lives are to be
absorbed in trotting the child that climbs upon
'neH knee, OF singing TO it patty cake pan, but
Hnu TINE to do deal else, good and bad, in the
"O'ld; and why should not a woman have fair
TINE tor the good al>ol For that is all that the
women who are accused Of being out Of their
sphere seem to be aiming at
''iO'eo DO not see why a human being who can
" I'VE or three, or more things lawful to be
"'N' "eiL should be restricted to doing but
O"' because Reverend Dr. may have been ac-
'"s'0''ed 10 a class OF women qualified for only
'slcc' OIL tue life, do not see why he
'"0oiu 'aSe exception TO those who obey the D-
''"e injunction to use their talents, whether they
be one or ten. If these won.n have done their
WIN "eD' 'ney were entitled to the courtesy of
~"'e OF thanks, as earnest aborers in a great
WIZ II thty have achieved nethng-if no great
pu'se has been stirred TO high as Dirstion
g, so 'neir nstumebtality, the failure is pitt
'"' Sufely no generous mind heap con-
P' upon an honest, though defeated purpose.
SoS'ai evils recoil heavily upon Women. They
suffer from misrulc, and from mi,direct d mera
."O'' nom the Incidence or incompetency o
muse Placed upon ths watch-towers of reform
o@' ~ a'er centuries Of endurance, the very spirit
~ "''ne truth and love has compelled them t
"V0t and speak, surely it is thing 20 be met
calmly as a hun an manifestation. not with con
tempt. itwOuid be well if our Clergy would lool
INTO this great movement dispassionatelv. tn,
women engaged in it are neither con, emptbla :,
characters nor numbers. have know, the. :
every grade Of intellect in the couutry-o our Poe.
and Prose writers, and Reiormers, so called-an
nowhere do | find more earnest, h-loving spin