The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-09-29
E d u c a tt o n a /.
[For the Spirit Of Democracy.]
FEMALE EDUCATION.

There have been some doubts enter
tanned whether the intellectual capacities
of woman are susceptible Of an education
,co.eaual with that Of man; or whether it
is for her to traverse the field Of science,
and trim her midnight taper to investigate
the mystical laws Of the philosophical and
metaphysical world According to the
views Of our best commentators the mind
Of woman is expansive, her perceptions
are quick, and her Imagination energetic.
II these faculties are co-existent with her
being, should they lie occult94 Has she
no part to perform in the grand theatre of
life by which they should be called into
actionl It has been remarked by late
writer, that If but one half Of our race
can be educated, let it be woman instead
of man-their rank determines that Of the
race. Ifthis be the case, her mind should
be highly cultivated and thoroughly dis
ciplined. That man, who is not an advo-
cate for female education, is stranger TO
her worth, and such a man should never
marry a literary woman. She would have
no charms, for him, and he would have
very few for her. Equality is highly es-
esen,ial in the married state; happiness is
more complete in welded love where the
parties have received an equal education;
their hearts flow through the same channel,
and their souls are one. 1t is education
that calls forth the graces Of The mind and
gives a coloring to those feelings that
sweeten the cup Of hymenial Joy. clas-
sical education does not enti,le woman to
a seat in the Legislative Hall, or to usurP
any Of the rights due to man. She who
star,les at the rustling leaf would blush to
raise her feeble voice in public. She has
no disposition to wrest the sceptre Of do
: minion from the hand OF man; tits hers to
rule in private. Man was first formed and
theh woman; he is lord and masterpiece
of creation was given him over
all things by the great AM; even woman
mus, yield implicit obedience to his will.
If woman is not entitled 10 the rights OF
suffrage. she is entitled to much greater
honor-that Of forming mans character.
Ills what he receives from her maternal
lips that moulds his habits for life. Woman
occupies two very important stations-that
of a wife, and mother. Education will
qualify her to discharge the duties Of each
with dignity, ease, and respectability. A
mother should not only be able to lead the
inquiring mind into knowledge of the
grand laws by which the atural and moral
world are governed, but also direct their
attention to that exalted Being who keeps
them in subjection by his sovereign power.
She. should set vice and virtue in array
before her rising offspring. and teach them
the nature Of each. By thus moralizing
she keeps the mind from dwelling on low
trihing objects which contaminate the
youthful mind, and are seldom il ever sup
planted. What delightful task for a
mother to instruct the infants mind while
y tits unfolding and all is new. How anxi-
ously she marks its daily progress and
feels pleasing emotion of pride and am
bition at the idea that she is perhaps rear.
ing hero. patriot, or a statesman. who
will one day repay her labor by his great
L achievements.
The depravity Of youth. so much to be
Ilamented in the present day. may be at
ltributed to the want of early mental cul
asure. owing to defective female education
Education enables woman to hold her EN-
,pire on the heart Of man more emphat
cally--the vivacity Of her conversation di
Iserts and amuses him and makes her socie
q.ty snore desirable; while the solidity o
her understanding secures him. Beauty
may enchain the beholder and the ayidity
40 possess may keep up the impression
while tho suit lasts but the effulgence o
the mind must cherish what beauty hal
caught, or diminution Of the affection.
viii inevitably snsue. Woman should b.
able 10 hold converse with man on ever,
subject, to reason with him, admire will
him, and counsel him on all occasions
eand how 10 she to do il unless her knowl
edge Is universal. Her intuitive min'
should bs able 70 seize his thoughts befor
they ssosps his lips. Where is the mai
who has not been profted by the judiciou
pounsel Of woman. when given with urban