The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-07-20
Woman's Rights.


Woman's Rights. is really becoming an
important one. 1t has allied itself to abo-
litionism and almost every other rickety
and crazy Ism which has signalized the
nineteenth century. At the same time il
is such an eloquent ism; talks so well; looks
so bewitching in its Boomers; cuts its hair
into such a piquant shape, varying the
masculinity of the style by occasional
"beau catchers altogether is such
a smart, go ahead. loquacious. spunky
Ii, ely, plucky littleism, that it has obtain
ed universal attention, and may fatter it.
self in having afforded hearty amusement
to the scrbes of this and every other coun.
try-ourselves ING luded.
Imagine the Rev. Antoinette Brown
pitching into the slave holders and those
.brutes'' OF men! A bright faced, quick
eyed little woman. with genuine bust
no padding or putting, but real red and
white fesh-working herself into preca-
rious perspiration. and endangering the
strings of her stays in her efforts against
tyranny Of every shape. whether we call il
matrimony or Misunderstanding on such
an innocent symbol as wedding ring
etlOi uCihS ouo OdSh tic
devils of household felicity (including the
little ones'') almost as fiercely as Luther
and Saint Anthony-and all the while
thinking that she is retormer. an origin
al character. thinker, Theodore Park
er in pantalooEs, or Horace Greeley in
gussets! Poor Antoinette! so beautiful.
so eloquent, so young! She imagnes thai
she is doing a wonderful thing i'll resisting
her natural tendency to connubiaity
twenty, has to do ,hessame, with this diff
ference. that she has the good sense not to
proclaim it from platforms, or publicly Gel
ebrste her confluence. What pity il
is that some stout and sensible New Eng
lander does not take Antonette quietly in
his arms-whisper the magic ''will you
have me"-sience her theories with kiss.
and-.'brute of man. as he may be-
teach her to appreciate the story OF Beau
iy and the Beast that she may understand
how the rough coated horror Of the morn
ing can take the form of a Prince at night!
And, then Lucy Stone! another quick
capable, intelligent. and really good look
ing woman! How terrible is The fact thai
she will not understand that ringlets are a
part Of woman S rights, and "good head
of hair more invaluable any day than
EMISSION" What. in the name OF cream
cheese, cookery. and all the etceteras. does
she want with that mission? The sooner
she gets rid Of it the better. She would
make capital wife. We would almost,
venture on taking her ourselves. And we
have no doubt that, with little sensible
education. she could manage even South
ern house pretty well, though she might
whip the "niggers" when in bad temper.
II little too much! No one woman, as a
western editor remarks, would .stake" the
Rights if she hadn't the ricket>!
We can understand ho Abby Kelly or
Abby Folsom. "takes the rights" What,
else have they to live for but rights? Their
dav is past. Not for them the ballroom
The party. the brilliant mazes OF the mazur-
ka, or the refined passion of the polka; not
for them the radiant delights OF the tete-a-
.ete in the corner. before the 'snext set" is
organized, or the charms Of the cautious
billet doux-the insinuating note-the be-
witcl,ing boquet-the sentimental siesta.
or that .'dear. delightful. wicked pet of a
St. Preux;' their season is past-their
countenances are in the "sear and yell
low" condition; their bloom is banished;
crows'-fe have cowed them; wrinkles and
wretchedness have claimed them; philan-
thropy and folly are all tha, remain; and.
Of course, the result is, that they inevitably
.'take" the Rights!
Now,it appears to US, that the first right
OF woman is 10 say her prayers and look
out for husband; her next right is to get
one-and. indubitably. her chief right is
to keep him. Butto do so. requires some.
thing more than crazy eccentricity or tai
ent run wild. Every accomplishment a
woman is capable Of realizing every
beauty she can cultivate-every grace she
cen educate into waving lines Of elegance
lis requisite to please her husband and
retain him her facinated friend until the
end Of the domestic drama" No labor
is TOO great for such an object. as her own
happiness and that other children depend
upon the continuance of his affection and
respect. 1t is the duty of woman to be
good looking. if she can; it is her mission
TO avoid being disagreesble. If she has
uOt uodutys lis ueuCieuCy uluSt oO CouutSt-
balanced by amiability, which will conceal
even positive ugliness. and make dark
and pitled face as smooth and fair. in the
husbands eye, as rose.misted marble
Above all. she should not cut her hair a la
Lucy Stone, and come down to dinner like
a chuck: headed school boy-a fright. a
horror, an ambition! A true beauty is a
glorious coron al of dark or sunny hair, as
The case may be-
"a gorgeous Lesbos crown,
With Sapphic thread of gold!"
And any woman who considers that she is
fulfilling mission in curtailing its fair pro
portions, is little better than lool. Lee
Us have no more of it.
Our cure for Woman's Rights is-Mat
rimony!-Deita.
ACES OF THE Respective Presidents a
the time ofiheir Inauguration.
Inaugurated. age
I. George Washington. April 20. 1883. s.