Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-07-29
ror the Journal.
Ibc JOurlai---Eree S0iliSm and
WOman'S Rights,

MH EDITOR: With much pleasure notice
the signs of success as eyinced in the i'm
proved appearance of the JoURNAL-also its
high correct tone of morals and its usually
correct political principles there is a
caSicature of the Free Soil party, its action
and principles, tnat take some exception
to, in the Journal of the Sth inst. In the
first place, it is as rabid, frothy, and full of
assertions as any abolition address dare be.
wish to know who you have reference TO
when you speak of :" the white slaves of the
East" 1t can't be those individuals who,
through the length and breadth of this land, !,
have been striking for and obtaining higher
wages, from the canaler to the ship-rigger.
u it was those you meant, | would to God
the land We're full of Hwhite slaves.''
But there is class of persons in this
land who are slaves. mean women--es-
pecially that portion of them which depends
upon their labor for tler bread. presume
those are the white slaves ycu refer to-.
Some weeks since, tho JOURNAL had the
women of this land on the pinnacle of the
temple of fame--yes, on the threshold Of
heayen--jus. ready, from their exalted po-
sition, to jostle Peter out of his place, and
go in on their own hook-so exalted are
they that you wonder they do not grow diz-
zy In gazing down upon sublunary things,
and you plead earnestly with them not to
try to change the position they now occu
py, not to demolish the very foundation of
our country's happiness, to be content, for
she is now on the very pinnacle Of happi-
ness and prosperity But this week you
Ind mother weeping tears Of blood be-
cause rich husband has, according to law,
torn her children from her, has severed the
last tie, perhaps, that bound her to earth,
and she, without a friend to comfort her in
her heart-rending distress, sits alone and
meekly submits to the damnable oppression
while IN another room different scene is
enacted. A negro, covered with moral cor
ruptlon from head to foot, claiming child
In possession of woman at least as good
as himself, yet the eloquence, philanthropy
and patriotism of New York is thrown into
the lap OF the rotten niger; while the wo-
man who has possession Of the child is no.
where, and she who has been robbed of her
children by her rich husband, although re-
spectacle and moving in high life, is for
gotten In the excitement, SO determined are
they to maintain the rights of man.
On, woman what fall that was from
the threshold of heaven to the cellar kitchen
OF utter neglect and contempt! In the
short space of five weeks has this wonderful
revolution been effected in the columns of
the JOURNAL Then she occupied place a
little below the angels" now infinitely
below the negroes; then she was entrusted
with unbounded power, now she is utterly
forsaken and helpless then she had our
destlnies In her hand and able to control
them at her will, now she must black hel
face to obtain the most common place SYM
pathy.
Now, sir, l hope, as you have seen the
error of your position, you will hencefortf
asitate manfully for woman's rights, unit
her social and political position is as ele.
waited as that Of the negro. At least, hope
sir, you will not again elevate woman Sc
high as the threshold of heaven, unless on
give her " Boomers to wear, and max,
the platform firm and substantial, SO i
won't fall Mercy what a fall you CAV,
those women wonder their necks wer,
not broken! You have made narrow es
cape-pray take warning! W**x.