The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-03-16
Woman's Rights.


last successful in arranging few thoughts up
on the hackneyed topic which forms the
caption Of my article for which ! solicit a
place in your pages-because am anxious TO
give the truths which | shall submit as extend :
ed circulation as possible.
The subject OF Woman's Rrights. so often
and so ably discussed, presents but few points
upon which 10 mould an additional idea having
any cains TO originality. and will not presume
TO advance any such claim for the propositions
] shall lay down, although believe may not
be charged with literary larceny as do not re-
collect to have seen pointed article upon the
particular branch Of the subjec, which ! pro-
pose discussing. | would not have you under
stand that favor the mad-cap projects Of those
so allied champions Of Woman's Right whose
svowed aims are the pantaloons ard consequent
privileges. Far from it ! am too well satis-
fed as mistress Of my own dear little home, TO
look with the least favor upon the attempted
assumption of the aIduous duties OF mansg ing
The reins Of go'e-nmen'-ior which woman is
not mentvlly qualified; and my dominion over
the psutiloons is-alss for the depravity of the
tailoring tribe much too extended TO suit my
notions Of convenience, for the buttons will
drop off occasionally. And besides, have no
sympathy with such fussy characters as Mrs.
SwssheIm aud her coadjutots. whose restless,
ul-COUtenteu spIfU WOGIO. VeIl DeItNe
prompt them TO complain Of a"contrac;ed sphere
of action" il the only hounds ascribed their
liberties were those OF limi,less space. Good
ness knows, Womap's sphere is extended en-
ough. il she would but appreciate her advanta-
ges and improve them. But, while condemn
this foolish agitation, and repudiate the doc
times which these amazons would inculcaie,
am nevertheless an advocate orWoman's Rights
in particular which Mrs. Swisshem, in her
anxiety about the pan,aloons, seems 10 have
over looked; but which | conceive TO be of
more importance to our sex than the elective
franchise, OF any other like privilege ye, claim
ed.
Eve Gray, in number Of The Home Journal
some time since, briefly alludes TO my point,
and gives the young lady readers Of that paper
some very wholesome advice upon that misia-
ken idea Of modesry which prompts them TO con-
cesl their real feelings for the man they admire
bot who has paid Them no marked a,tention,oor
eyinced for them that psi,iality which the fool
ish creatures imagine must be exhibited by the
man who loves them. Bui, although the opin
ion this lady expresses comedies with those
have ever entertained, cannot think she is
sufficiently untrammeled by this same mock
modesty, TO allow her 10 go as far as | do in
this matter, | Suppose she is some young
Miss who has her owo schemes Of catching a
husband, which an independent expression Of
opinion mi ght intefere with But labor under
no such constraint. Thanks 10 my own good
sense, | am married woman. and will conse-
quentIy escape the charge Of writing under the
desperation Of old-maden- hood. In giving a
word Of advice to the lady readers Of the Jour
nal,
Tins is an age Of reform. Many Of the man
ners and customs Of our forefathers have be-
come too aniquased fov the use Of the people
Of this our day Of Improvement; and though il
is our duty 10 reverence the reii cs Of by gore
days, il is no less our duty TO explode those no
iions vi hich experience has taught us are unfit
for oar present position OF advancement That
usage OF society which gives TO man the exclu-
sve right Of choosing partner 10 life, is in my
humble estimation, one Of those antiquated alb
surdities particularly demanding reform; aud /
base this judgement upon the actual occunen-
ces Of every day life. may safely venture TO
say that three fonrlhs Of the i'll assovted match
es which we daily deplore are mainly attributa.
BILE TO this very custom for. under its preva-
lenc e. much wider field ifgiven to deception,
as il drives women TO the necessity Of being less
particular in her exactious from the man to
whom she sniiusis her happiness. her chances
for securing that great object Of Woman's
life, protector, being comparatively small
unless size is possessed of the attractions of ex-
uaordinary beauty, or surrounded by the gilt
teriog charms Of inherited wealth.
Another reason why il should be revolution
Ized is its denial ofa right to women, Of equal
participation in matter in which she is, il a.
nything most interested. The important bear
Jog which the choice Of a companion has upon
woman, Il will be readily conceded, is much
greater than that upon man; why, then, should
man, the least interested OF the two parties.
have the exclusive right Of fmak ing such choice.
] appeal to sense Of justice " this custom is
no, tyrannicsI one, and demanding reform.
But the reasons are obvious, only requiring
moments reflection TO induce an appreciation Of
the weight, and my feeble pen might be WELD.
ed until doom's pay, 10 vsio, TO exhibit the
montrosiy ofihis custom. " the thoussnf bro.
ken hearts which s,snd melancholy monuments