The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-05
COMMUNICATION.
For the Lancaster Ledger.
Woman's Rights.

1n 'as oeeh sald IN all ages Of the
world rs to the comparative strength o.
male and female intellect. But at no age Of
the world has the subject claimed so much
attention as the present. 1t is agitated by
every class condition and cummunitv: bnt
not so much south rs north and west.
1t is not only asserted that women are
equal IN mind and Judgement, but have
a right to exercise these powers when and
where 1t Is proper and right for the oppo
site sex 10 do so, viz: at the ballot box. the
rostrum, the bar, the bench, and even in
our legislative halls.
That the mind of woman is susceptible
OF high mental culture and Ii i,erary attain.
mtnt do not doubt ; history alone Curn-
ishes us with numerousinstances and facts,
and every days experience go to prove that
they AS seldom are in the affairs of life as
man. Any man knows and can testify
to the same who has made his wifi. a con.
hdcnt OF his business aud interest. thar
they can and do reason from cause TO Of
tect and arrive at as just conclusions as
men; and tor prudence and caution, rs a
general rule they certainly do exec the
opposite sex. That they can govern with
credit to themselves, and happiness and
prosperity TO the governed, is q well au-
thenIlcated fact. History here furnishes
us with the fact, out of numerous cases ON
record we give the following: When Will
liam the Conqueror set out to invade En-.
gland he invested his beautiful and lovely
wife, Matilda, with the government Of
Normandy, in France. The troublesome
and distracted state of affairs in England
caused William to be frequently and long
absent from home. Matilda still coutin-
ued to govern Normandy with consum-
mate skill and wisdom. She was not on
ly able to suppress and quiet all internal
hrnils and diSnni. hnt -, rA.s1.Il all ;...a-
hnement. and the arts and sciences, and
won golden opinions from her subjects
tor her kindness and munificent lberality
in every department Of State.
Queen Elisabeth is another striking e1.
ample OF the power and ability of woman
to govern. During her reign, peace, qui.
etude and plenty pervadcd her dominons,
and the affairs OF England were never bet.
ter or more ably managed, than they
were during the regency of this famed wo-
man. 1t may be said she had an able
ministry, and the presumption is wo-
man of her sense would have no other;
but no King or Queen since or before her,
except her imperious father, Henry the
viii, ever showed less obsequiousness to a
ministry than did Queen Elizabeth. On
the contrary she was independent in
thought, firm in decision and prompt in
action; equally mistress in her own fami-
iy and court. She never allowed her init
mate asso iates to gain an undue ascen-
fancy or intimacy over her, as the Earl OF
Essex found out, but when it was too
late. No doubt she had her failings, but
her good sense and sound judgement en-
abled her to control them and her failing
secmel to he a mark of superior enlow-
ment. England was never more respect
ed than when this mighty woman held
the scePtre in her hand. In addition to
those fomales who have showed such pow
er to act, and skill in governing and con-
Quoting the affairs of State and Nation,
We might add a long list Of females who
have fourshed and done themselves no
less credit in the field of science and liter
allure. Madames Rolana and DE Stael OF
France, have svinced powers Of mind and
intellect sufficient TO marter the most ab.
siruSe science. Mademoiselle Curchod
afterwards the wife Of the French minister
Necker although brought up in seclu
ded village Of Switze rlanh, at an early
age had acquired a know edge Of most o.
the sciences and various languages. We
have female historians who are little ol
none inferior to men, and have showed
great industry and rsearch, and have
brought to light and to the world valua
ble information from the musty archivc,
of antiquity We have female astronO
mers AMI translators. 1t Is said that on,
Of HercheIs sisters pursued with him hi
favourle study, anil arrived at no incon
siderable proficiency. We might add many
other celebrated American and Europe
an females who who have evinted grea
powers Of mind and genius
1t now only remains to be shown tha
T IL the same care and attention was pai
10 the training and the culture of the f
male mind as is to the opposite sex, whetl
er or not she could attain to any eminenc
in the province Of mind that man nigh
) attain. Such rs Collegiate course
: education, and three or four years spcr
r in acquiring profession and the comps
I ny and example Of the learned and ll
great, and all other circumstances that AZ
: now thrown around tie sterner sex as $
,, many stepping stones to aid and facil ia,
their progress to the pinnacle Of fame an
renown. But notwithstanding all this an
good deal mora that every student ofhi
c tory is acquainted with; am not an adv,
], cate Of wnmap's rights in the common
A ceptation Of the term. II she should ev,
be 50 unfortunate as to establish an
maintain the position in tho political ar
Q commercial world that che is now co
o tending Tor, with such mistaken real, ih'
say her glorious sun las set.