Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-08

1.-THE generation that can use Amer
lean institutions for freedom, must
come from American homes. But Of
race of self-indulgent, half-taught
girls, can como only nation of trail
tors to liberty. In half the land to-
day, woman is enamored 10 the van
ishing splendors of feudalism, and So
ciety slumbers over a volcano of in
surrection. In half the land she has
not learned to prefer tho soul 10 the
purse, and society here is the govern
mcnt Of the poor man Of to-day by
the poor man Of yesterday. The
American young woman is the moth
or of American civilization Of the
next quarter of . century. We are
compelled, in q discourse Of republi-
can society, TO speak with the class
in whose hands are the issues of the
national destiny; TO portray the ideal
of American womanhood." y
ait is not true that woman is de-
pendent upon man, owes him obedi-
ence, or is Q supplement TO his nature.
Doubtless, all human beings depend
upon each other for innumerable off,
ces; the father upon the child, the son
upon his mother, the husband upon
the wife, and woman upon man. The
great apostle commands woman to
obey man, as all christians are TO obey
each other; to use the sacred depen-
denotes Of life as helps TO the primal
obedience to the Creator. Man can
do much for woman, as much as she
can do for him; but neither can stand
to each other in the place of the AL.
mighty God.
aThis primary law being estab.
lished, the way 70 womanhood becomes
clear and direct. First, woman must
know herself, and for what place she
Is especially fitted in life. Nobody
can know her nature, genius and as
pirations, so well as herself. She
must never consent TO be treated as i
she had no individuality of character
or pushed about until she lodges upor
some vacant shelf of the social do
partment. With this knowledge, wo
manhood consists, secondly, In making
herself the greatest, best, and mos
beautiful character possible to her ma
tive endowments and peculiar circum
stances. Whether her tastes and tai
ents are chiefly domestic, or, In add
: ton, literary, social, executive, arts
tic, industrial, let her accept her gif
as Gods treasure, and hold herself re
sponsible TO Him for It's faithful dc
velopment and uses.
II would therefore say 10 the younI
woman Of America, know yourself
and whatever good gift is in you, i'm
prove and apply in life. Make tn
most of yourselfin present circumstan
ces, and devote any gain in position
TO q new effort for womanhood. Yo'
are In some respects peculiar, AM
there Is a-spot appointed by God TO
your reception. Nobody can fin'
that spot, or place You in II; but yo'
alone can discover II, and sustain
yourself therein. This advice will
dissipate many girlish dreams, AM
ana Whko 7onc kfoNh-up chttofch
but | must say there Is but one wa,
10 womanhood-the dedication Of tn
soul 10 God; the knowledge Of one
own nature and powers; and the life
long effort TO make ones self as nobl
specimen Of woman rs nativegift
and the lot Of mortality will allow.
The most formidable obstacles 9
American womanhood, are fashiol
and personal selfishness.
aSociety Is often a great obstacl
to womanhood. No ono knows no,
much we owe to society. Without Il
institutions of family, state, church
and its code of social laws and Gus
toms, much Of our virtue would neve
exist. Every soul knows some me
ment when il would fall, did not th
whole past experience Of humanity
concentrated in the public opinion
the hour, enfold It's frailty In prov
Dental arms. But the use of socis
circumstances, is 10 shape character
and when society presumes beyon