The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-05-21
MIS-. E. CAKES SNrrH.-A few months since We

copieu irou new 1Ork paper, some fatneE
severe structures upon lecture delivered by
this lady in that city, wherein it was repre-
sented she had held up Cleopatra as fype-wo-
man'-one of the female characters of history
worthy to be initiated by her sex of this day
This was a sentiment that did not accord with
the stamp Of morals and appreciation of female
virtue our mother had taught us. and one which
We then thought and still think involves a spe-
cies of sensual principles which it is the duty
of every one having anything to do with the
and preservation of healthy state
Of social morals, to restrain as far as in their
power. We felt Indignantly shocked, and under
this feeling at the moment wrote, forming at
the same time not very elevated opinion Of
Mrs. Smiths great claims as an American wife
and mother. Some time thereafter, We met a
in one of our exchanges, copied from
the Albany Transcript, rejecting very harshly
and severely upon the private conduct of Mrs.
Smith, which, if true. Xantippe would suffer
largely in comparison with her in possessing
the qualities which go to make up a hateful
woman. This we also published with some re-
marks not very complimentary, and which were
only justifable-if at abby the extreme case
which we firmly thought was then before us. a
good discreet and careful friend in New York
also lady, by the way-now writes us
that the paragraph from the Albany paper, and
our remarks, caused the deepest distress to
Mrs. Smith and her family. Our readers must
recollect the paragraph. Among sundry other
hard things, it accused Mrs. S. of treating her
husband so badly that he could not live with
her. Our friend goes on to say:
II understand from the best authority that
there never has been any separation between
her and Mr.. Smith--who know has been living
with his wife and children for years past. and
is now with them. have never had any init
mate acquaintance with Mrs. Smith--not seeing
her once in several years on an average and
| am entirely opposed to her views, and averse
to the notions of most of the persons who
advocate the 'Woman's Rights movement l
am also adverse to womans appearing in
public or making herself conspicuous in any
way. But in Mrs. Smiths case, am informed
there were circumstances which made her doing
so almost matter of necessity. The burden
of supporting the family, from the infancy of
her children, has fallen almost entirely on her
She has labored untiringly to that end, and her
frequent absences from home, l understood,
were on that account, as was her appearance as
a lecturer. Ought not mother, struggling to
bring up her sons to usefulness, and compelled
to make her talents available, to be regarded
kindly and indulgently? and is it not cruel in
the public press to circulate injurious ISLANDERS
her private character? 1t seems to
me that nothing could justify such assaults, al
though her expressed views are certainly open
IN /
society Of this city, but as far as know, Mrs. |
Smith is respected and well received every
where
This alters the case materially. We say GER
tainly "a mother, struggling to bring up her
sons to usefulness ought to be regarded
kindly and indulgently," even though we are
compelled to differ widely with her views and
course of conduct. And when we learn as we
now do, the probable author of the SANDER in |
the Albany Transcript, we are deeply panied |
that we ever loaned our columns to give pub |,
Lefty to an etfuson of personal malice emana-
Ting from brain so depraved. Were we to
name him, all our readers who are posted up in |
regard to literary characters at the East, would
side with US in this respect. We truly regret
that any act Of ours has given pain to a lady
and stranger, and can only make amends by
giving the contradiction as wide publicity as
we did the quoted calumuy--all this, of course,
not in the least affecting our original opinion of
Cleopatra as 'type-woman.'
- We are not disposed to enter into profit
less controversy with the Pioneer, in regard to
hath pooiGo Do; &c
ocratc measure. The distinction which it
makes, that the General Government can build
a road through Territories, and not through
States. when the great end, if not the real OBJ
ject, is to enhance the commercial facilities and
wealth of States in much greater proportion
than it will the Territories through which it
may pass, is distinction without difference
This theory is newborn with the Democratic
party, as the veriest tyro in the political his
tory of the country must know. If the power
is anywhere inherent in the Constitution for the
construction of this road, we presume our strict
constructiOnist neighbor would not find it I'M
der the conceded exclusive jurisdiction. applic-
able to Territories. as building railroads cannot
without great and ridiculous stretching. be
considered an act absolutely requisite to either
civil or military government 1t must, then,
come in under the power to regulate commerce
between the States. which is all the Wings con-
tend for in this particular. Nevertheless, let
the road be built. The people will not care to
quarrel as to whether it is Wing or Demo-
cratic road. The way parties now stand in re-
lation to each other, not only in regard to this,
but other measures which have heretofore d.
vided them, makes it not paying business for
Minnesota Editors, at this time, to waste much
ammunition in magnifying and celebrating the
old arguments of the past. All we care about
is, to preserve the landmarks so that We may
know where to find them when we wish to sight
them.
Rio HoNDo.-An editor is a Illuminating ami
NAL; and in his moments of thought and refiec-
ton must have some soothing incentive to help