The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-10
On the Influence Of WOmcm-CiVilfZa.
ion Exists Only bY MarrIaEe.

Whatever be The customs or the laws of a
country, it is the women who give the direction to
| lis manners. Whether free or subject, they reign
! because they derive their power from our pas
! sions. But this influence is or less salutary
| according 10 The degree OF estimation in which
| they are held; be they our idols compan-
ions, cOurtesans, slaves, beasts Of burlhen, the
reaction will be completc-rhey will make US
What they themselves are. 1t appears as if ma.
Iure attached our intelligence TO their dignity, just
| as we attach our happiness TO their virtue. Here
! then is law of eternal Justice man cannot de-
! base women without becoming himself degraded
! he cannot elevate them without becoming better.
! Let us cast our eyes the earth, and observe
! the two great divisions OF the human race-the
| East and the West; one half of the old world
continues without improvement, and without ideas,
beneath The light OF q barbarous civilization :;
there The women are slaves; the other half pro-
crosses towards equality and enlightenment, and
We there see women free and honoured.
few months ago published in the papers
| the account of an English physician, whom Gu
riosity had led TO the East. Being accidentally
Introduced into the slave market, he perceived a
| score Of Greek women, half naked, lying on the
ground, in expectation OF a purchaser. One OF
| them had attracted the attention Of old Turk !;
| the barbarian had examined her minuteIy as one
would examine a horse, while during his Inspec-
ton the merchant praised the beauty Of her eyes,
The elegance of her figure, and other minor perfec.
lions he protested that the poor girl was moi more
than thirteen years of age, that she was virgin,
| and neither dreamed nor snored in The night. In
| short, after close examination, and some bar
gaining about the price, she was sold, body and
| SOUL for about sixty pounds. The soul, it is true
| was but little considered in the bargain. The un-
| happy creature, LaIi.fain;ing in the Of her
mother, (tOr this hOrrd compact was made be-
| meath the eyes of her mother,) implored with
| piercing cries the assistance OF her sorrowing
compnnions But i'll this barbarous land all hearts
were closed; the laws render insensbIe to
| the evils which they sanction The affair was
| concluded, and the young girl delivered TO
| hor master. Thus vanished for her, thus must
vanish for all women in this part OF the world
! that delightful luturty of love and happiness
which nature has prepared for them. Who would
believe il this Internal transaction took place in
| Europe in 1929, at the distance of six hundred
leagues from Paris and London the two capitals Of
| the human race and al the present moment it Is
the living history of two-hirds of The inhabitants
| of the globe. What monsters would be produced
| by such an union! What Kind of progeny will
arise from this combination Of vilenes$ hatred and
| misfortune! Worshprer of Mahomet, is this one
of the companInns OF Thy life, of the moth
crs OF thy children! Thou requirrst from her
delights for thyself and atfectionate disposition
for thy son An afIcclinnate disposition Moth
but Thy degradation and that Of thy posterIty
Nature has so wiIIed it, that true love, the most
exclusive of all he fcrIings should be the only
possible foundntion of civIIizaton This senti-
mcnt invites all men to a simple lile exempt at the
same time from Idleness, from EFF; minacy and
from brutal passions. All is harmony, all hnppi-
ness, in the intimate link which unitps two young
married persons. The man, happy in he society
OF his wife, finds his faculties increase with his
duties: he attends to out door avoca'ions, takes
his part in The burdens Of ii citizen, cultivates his
Lands, or is uselully occupied in the town. The
woman, more retiring prcsidcs the domestic
arran ,cnn.nts. At home she influences her hus-
band; diflt>cs joy in III" midst Of order and album
dance; both The ms"lvcs reflected in the chill
dren seated at their table, who promise by the
fore" of example TO Perpeuate their virtues.
Coniras: with this picture Of the European fam
lily that of an Els,crn one; the former is based
Uron equality and love the latter, upon pol ygamy
and slavery, which leave TO love It's brutal fury,
Eut hIch deprive it OF It's sweet sympathy and
lis divine Illusions. man may shut himself up
with number Of women, but it is impossible that
he can love several. See hin, then, reduced,
amidst crowd OF young beauties, TO The saddest
oil all condHIonS-lhat OF possessing without low.
ing, and without being beloved lnebriate1 with
the coarsest pleasures, without family ;he midst
of his slaves without affection in the midst Of his
children, he lmprIsons his cOmPnnIous, he mutIl |
atcs their keepers, aud makes his house place OF
punishment crime, and prostitution. And, after
all, does this animal life yield him happiness? No
his senses become bluntcd, his mind becomes en-
ervated, and ne vainIy pursucs unto the brink of
the tomb the sensual delights which, while they
excite INN, -e!ude his grasp.
In order properly 10 estimate the wretclledness |
Of similar degradation, we may allude 10 the re-
cent history Of French officer called Seve who
has lately become celebrated in the East under |
the name of Soman- Bey. Being obliged TO quit
the service at the period Of Tie fall of Napoleon,
Seye Offered his services to the Pacha of Egypt,
who, on account OF his military talents employed
hIm and made his fortune, without requiring him
to change his religion. In 1926, SeYe was living
in a most luxurious style; he had in his harem
The most beautiful Greek and Egyptian slaves
but, says the author 10 whom are indebted for |
this account amidst all these delights his heart
was a void, and he sighed for companion worthy !
of him. Send me,' said he, Z" a French, an
English, an lainn woman, il matters not winch, |
promise you 10 marry her, and will send away |
this troop of creatures, without soul and without
ideas" Then added he with ervour I" Nothing |
more is required to complete my happiness than |
u true female friend, whose heart and mind would |
cmbelsh my solitude. This treasure would en-
able me 10 enjoy all the rest' On reading this
narrative, one cannot help admiring, how, when
scciaI institutions have not deeply dPpraved the
heart of man. a sense of natural rcctfude forcblv