Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-10-07
WOman'S Rights.

the proceedings Of the sswoman's rights"
convention lately held in New Yors, and
the disgrnceful occurrences connected
Herewith, We were led to cxclaim, "What
good have they done? What end is ac-
complished9" and we could only answer,
sThey have done no good-they have ac-
complished no desirable end.'
1t is evident that woman was formed for
the home circle; to adorn that and make it
attractive, may well employ her noblest
powers. But it has been asked, swhy edu-
cate woman, if her time is to be exclusively
devoted to the discharge of domestic du-
ties ?" For that very reason, we answer. A
mother who has the training of her children
should he able to instill correct principles
into their budding minds. She should have
polished mind herself, in order to impart
its lustre to her offspring. 1t is well known
that those general principles which are fixed
in the mind of youth, cling there tenacious.
ly through the varying and shifting scenes
of life. How important, then, that those
teachings should be sound and just; that
they should be adapted to the cxigencies
that arise in after experience, and that they
should be given by one who loves her home
anil family and shrinks with native delica-
cy from the public gaze
But if a mother spends her time in ma
king public harangues and attending con-
ventions, who is to see that the tender
plant she has left behind is nurtured and
cared for in proper manner? Some care
Jess nurse, perhaps, who feels not as
mother should feel, may corrupt its young
mind, and thereby lay broad foundation
for future career Of infamy and disgrace.
Whose fault will it be if that mother who
felt such a heart-interest in the Wanted
rights of her sex, should one day see her
NEGLECTED son vending his way to the prison
or gallows? How well might that son say,
rs he s TODD upon the scaffold and cast a
last lingering look over the bright and
| beautiful earth, 81 am here because my
mother neglected my culture in early youth
She suffered strangers to SOW tares in the
virgin soil, and here is the fruit But
does one say, mother can attend to al
these duties and also devote her energies to
public speaking. We deny it. Why does thai
prudent mother give up SO many pleasures.
/ deny herself so many recreations, and cling
to her home and watch so tenderly and anx-
iously the expanding intelligence of hel
offspring? Because she feels that sacred
trust is hers-a weighty responsibility de-
wolves upon her and to discharge it faith
fully requires her undivided attention.
And, beside this, daily contact with scenes
in which stern man alone is fitted to min
gle, blunts woman's finer conceptions, des-
troys the native delicacy oe her mind, and
renders her unfit to set an example of re-
firing modesty, so beautiful and commenda-
BILE in women, to her daughters. They will
look to her for guidance, and imbibing her
principles, grow up brazen-faced and bold
hearted, ready to engage in any masculine
pursuit.
A woman thus induratcd makes poor
wife; for she neglects those very amenities
which render her attractive in the estima-
ton of her husband. Why do we love wo-
man? Is it not because Of her gentle and
confding nature-of her native refinement
of feeling, and innate modesty9 because
of the power of her affections, and her en-
during fortitude in the hour of grief or
trial How, then, can we love those of
them no set SO little value on these things,
but glory in initiating men in their pursuits;
who would usurp their places in the pulpit,
at the bar, on the rostrum aye, and even in
the halls of Congress! We cannot love
them and we verify believe they are earn
ing for themselves contempt and shame.
We shall yet see the day when this present
agitation of Woman's Rights will be laughed
at rs one of the veriest foilies that ever
added n human brain.