The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-11-29
For the Spirit Of Democracy,

cess, sometimes to pass out of our own
little circle Of society, to observe what
other men have said and written and
thought and acted in other times and in
distant places. The following language
extracted from the Edinburgh Review Of
March 1899, is from the pen of the cele-
brated Thomas B. Macaulay:
'.If there is a word of truth in history,
women have always been and still are,
over the greater part Of the globe, humble
companions, playthings, captives, menials,
beasts of burden. Except in few happy
and highly ciuilized countries, they are
strictly in state Of personal slavery.
Even in those countries where they are
best treated, the laws are generally unfa-
vorable to them, with respect to almost all
the points in which they are most deeply
interested.
"Mr. Mill is not legislating for England
or the United States; but for mankind. Is
then the interest Of the Turk the same with
that Of the girls, who compose his harem?
Is the interest OF Chinese the same with
that of the woman, whom he harnesses TO
his plough? Is the interes: of an Italian
the same with that Of the daughter, whom
he devetes 10 God?"
II is evident from this extract that Ma.
caulay places both England and the UNI
ted States in. the category Of happy and
highly civilized communities, in which
women occupy the most lofty position
Not exactly SO Alexis DeTocqueville, for
England is a part OF Europe and this lat.
ter author evidently gives the palm to the
American Union. hope the reader will
pardon pretty long extract from this
keen-sighted Frenchman:
sit has often been remarked that in
Europe certain degree of contemptlurks
even in the fat,ery which men lavish upon
women; although a European frequently
affects to be the slave OF woman, i. may
be seen that he never sincerely thinks her
his equal. In the United States men sell
dom compliment women, but they daily
show how much they esteem them. They
constantly display an entire confidence in
the understanding of wife, and pro-
lnund respect for her freedom; they have
decided that her mind is just as well fitted
as that Of man 10 discover the plain
truth, and her heart as firm to embrace ii
and they have never sought to place her
virtue any more than his, under the shelter
Of prejudice, ignorance or fear. IL would
seem that in Europe, where man so easily
submits to the despotic sway Of women,
they are nevertheless curtailed Of some ol
the greatest qualities Of the human species
and considered as seductive but imperfec,
beings; and (what may we'll provoke as
tonishment) women ultimately look upon
themselves in the same light, and almost
consider it a privilege that they are enti-
tied to show themselves futile, feeble and
timid. The women of America claim no
such privileges.
!.Again, it may be said, that in our
morals we have reserved strange immuni-
ties to man; so that there is, as it were.
one virtue for his use. and another for the
guidance of his partner; and that accord
ing to the opinion of the public, the very
same aot may be punished ernately as
crime or only as fault. The Amerl-
cans know not this iniquiious division OF
duties and rights; among them the seducer
is as much dishonored as his victim.
sit is true that the Americans rarely
lavish upon women those large attentions.
which are commonly paid them in Europe;
but their conduct to women always inn
plies that they suppose them to be virtuous
and refined; and such is the respect en-
tertained for the moral freedom OF the sex,
that in the presence Of a woman the mos,
guarded language is used, lest her ear
should be offended by an expression. In
America young unmarried woman may
alone, and without fear, undertake long
journey"
This writer then goes on to speak of the
very mild penalties inflicted by French
laws upon some crimes deemed horribly
atrccious in the United States. and informs
US that mild as those penalties are, it is
frequently difficult to get French Jury to
convict prisoner. He then asks:
sis this consequence Of contempt OF
decency or contempt Of woman? can.
not but believe that it is contempt of one
and of the other.''
Omitting good deal Of matter for the
sake of breyity, we will quote the conclud-
ing paragraph of this chapter. as an hon
orable, but reluctant testimony in our fa.
vor by a foreign witness very much inclin.
ed to think and to speak unfavorably of US.
..As for myself, do not hesitate to avow,
that although the women OF the United
States are confined within the narrow cir.
Gle Of domestic life, and their situation is
in some respects one Of extreme depen.
dence, have nowhere seen women occu-
lpying loftier position; and it were ask.
ed, now that am drawing to the close o1
this work in which have spoken OF Sc
many important things done by the Amer.
leans; TO what the singular prosperity and
growing strength Of that people ough
mainly to be attributed, should reply to
the SUPERIORITY OF the women."-D Democ
raey in America, Second Vol. PIP. 226-297
Doe. any man doubt that these two emf
nent writer's are the Witnesses Of truth
1'hat they have set up correct standard
of civilization? II so Monroe county ha,
a right TO take position in the very from
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