New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-04
WOMAN AND THE CRISIS.

WOMAN AND THE CRISIS
70 Ne Editor 81 The n. y. SbSne
SIR These times TO test character. Men and wo-
men will now show what they really are. Msny man
who, when money flowed ito bis Golfers, gored in the
name "benevole mt" now when to be SO in reality
will require some personal sacrifice, will sppsar as he
really is, o hard hearted, selfish uiser while other
men, whom society has chrltened close" by e1-
tending confidence, by administering assistance to the
unfortunate will prove that bsnestb the thin ice OF
sspe,i flow the warm waters Of generous sympathy.
Mrs. Vaipelory, who for twenty years has been the
drecIess of half dozen ragged schools and a. many
comp societies. who has made great hustle, with no
sslfescfce for the honor of being called chatita-
ble may now forget to deny herself single luxury
for the rake of the poor; while Jane Bait RIG, that
foolish thing, who nobody suspect, has heart, will
sell part Of her gay pumsge, and do without many
trrke in order TO have wherewita to relieve the
suffering. All il s an easy thing to appear generous
and amsble whs n every want IS supphed, every de-
sire gfa flied; but when self is to DO eenied, tbop We
learn Who ia reality the yossessor Of these virtues
We are in the midst Of national disaster. The great
arteries G trade, flowing to the faI,nest extremises OF
our land, snd rushing back to the strong heart Of
the metropolis are sudderly psrayz Want dgrace
ruiD stare thousands in the face, who, hitherto have
been smOrg the most favored recipients OF fortune.
Gods judgments are upon u.s. and lie commsnds us
is one Of the va,ious assigned for the conmer
cial crisis. Al If American womeL have bsen thought.
lessly wickedy eItravagant this is time to retrieve
their error 10 prove whether they are truly weak vain
ard sel6s b, or efforgeiful, noble and generous.
As a class, American husbands are among the oosf
ibdslatLt Of mOItas. No effort seems too great. no
toll too weairg, they can only fill their homes with
sxuries and anticipate every desire OF their beloved
cues. ~,
Their fault lie that they are unwisely fond. They
feel s'rorg enough TO do the work OF hf- 70 bear al
s BURGERS, sloDe Atsll bszards Ter wishes must be
gratifsd. If they sinking in debt, she must no
how it. why add to her Sorrows! TEus, uncon'
sciously, American men often trarsmute themselves
into slaves; while too often, the wife becomes cs-
plcious selfish tyrart, clamoIipg fer the grathoshon
Of every wbim az her supreme rgbt or she spks
into an mbecie child sadly deficient In reason, full
pretty fe4ls and fancies, or at best but creature Oh
.ocitty, gilded, gil eiDR household toy, utterly des
tu,e OF thoss womanly virtues which only can create
woman the priestess Of true home. sdch may be
admired in prosperity; but in disaster in disease, N
disgrace, the weakly fond husband vii! find his deep
est sorrow in the ircapabie being who cings to MN
yanly for support. IL earth were still a. Eden,
through whose sereph guarded gates Perjury Pain and
Death could rever enter, Woman would need no re-
serve Of strength; she might in osttent remain an
idol toy; but as che shares all the woe OF ruined
race let her cultivate every power which vii help her
TO bear bravely the pisforunes which sne cannot
avert Against in1aences less disastrous to her do
velopmen cause pleasing to her softer nature, does
Woman contend.
In spite Of these in the time Of trial. let every wo
prove herself TO be the possesso OF that inn ate
sergth Of nober ess, which should form the basis OF
American womanhood- To thousands OF men, who ..
this time ccuptir their lessened resourcee the
greatest affection is that they must deny their families
the luz ries TO which they have been accustomed.
They can meet an angry creditor with harder lace
Il an they car say TO cherished that 20 her tots
az this comfort they mus. deny And it remains with
tbcusAr de Of women TO decids whether they will u-e
their power TO sink their fathers ard husbands into "
ietri,ysble ruin. or whether by cheerful selfdenial
by patient industry, by noble encouragement they
will infuse into their anxious hearts new courage to
struggle Nd to conquer. II s time that Woman ignore
that little, mean contemplate pride which makes the
possession Of the finest house. the most expea-
siye equipage the most fashionable attire, the
highest object Ct her ambition. 1t may req liIe
no email degree of coursge for such Q one to wear .
last years boLnst o. repaired dress small amount
Of selfdepia (, do without few Of the harmful con
ccctons which form 80 large portion ofthe deisscies
CT modern table; bat how mach nobler to deny sp-
petite ard vanity than indulge hsm at the exPsn'e
Of persol sl credit Of household peace II every
man who is the dispenser Of household now sufer.
rg from The monetary EMBARRASSMENT will do her
part toward curtaDg uK necessary expenses and will
In her individual sphere tet an example Of cheerful
hsppy self-ds NAL how many desponding will be
ilspned with new hope, bow many hesTths will be
brtshtepeo, how much good she will do
Dnrrg tie coming year msng women WI be COM
PEELED TO crego lu1lres which they have hitherto en-
joyce; and u. split which accompanies tbs sacridce
will be the eet Of their character II upbrs1ing and
rpDDg and etdpg Dfuse their dsoord into the musi,
Q, tWees household voiees, many man Will DC tempt
ed to dfm kehIess, 10 madness, petchancs TO crime.
But II industry patience, tweet temper. content, ara
toe gem who preside at the diminished feast shsl
hear fewer mnrnuTs about the expense Of family,
And men will begin 10 tax Of the help which tasy de-
rive from their wives ano dsxghters.
You may call tbose little things; SOON them a, mega
tive virtues. but If Woman would be grest she must
begin 10y being great 10 Little thiegs; and by negative
virtue che proves her strength. The secret conflict,
toe silent struggle Of the sou TO subdue tsef-sh that
Il The noblest warfar-. 1t requires greater moral
power to rehL Quish frdly ished hope to oreyo
gAnciPsted pleasure, TO crush almost rresisti-
PIE oesue, 10 suodue ones oSn sprit, than to rush
forth 10 Mesue IN the noblest strife Of this conflicting
world though the monetary pressure is fsl. through
The entire wool OF society ct there are households
Of whose door Want win not dare to knock There
IRE women who will hear and read Of the "Hsrd
Times who will feel nothing If their withering grasp
Toyou u e tates ale kind. Sill your delicate suds
overflow with the most costly gifts OF the constant
Fortuna For you TO " re.rencSh would be TO rob tbs
srti,aps who elaborate your uIHies Of the mems of
o.tsrrpg bread. t. you is reserved the delight Of
d. stye beIevolenoe. II every woman we're provided
with true father brother husband, 10 stand between
her and the sharp blows Of sevsrsy there would be
fewer objects g call forth your sistsily charity Bat
alssl fr the great company who ton, suffer
ard die alone The widow performing the
meet meBsl labor, ,oilirg without respite
right ard Gag TO keep her obi iren alive tas old
mad" "a Instructor si every he All h'tone VIII hunsd
al sweetness ard hope far back in hsr youth, suffering
CT, QnerIous, sick aLd pool he yonsg CUR, wan and