Smyrna times., 1858-10-21
OR IG n a L
Written for the Smyrna 1iaes.
Positions of Woman in the Social and
Civic Conditions of Society.
fCONTINUED)

CONTINUED
Wherever female nature has not been rs
strained, by the mere physical force of the otht
sex, nor by legislation ungallant in its natur
and tendency, her influence has never faileC
nor can fail, to effect favorably all the ground
of human action and to bring about results, i
all departments of civil and social life. whic
no o:her human power can begin to effect
Nor is this power limited by the boundaries o
the inhabited parts of the world or measured
by the lapse of time; its boundaries are th'
boundaries of earth and its duration can bC
measured only by eternity. Notwithstanding
all the withering influence constantly and mos
unjustly poured upon the naked heart OF woman
her power is known, felt and revered in all de-
par,ments of human action. Let her untrsm-
melled heart feel its own native position on
earth, and then, and not till then, can it, in the
most effective aud highest sense, so live as TO
exhibit the untold and unreliable power IT pos
sesses.
In the composition Of female nature, we find
a concentration of diversified talent marvel
lOusly adapted to all the wants in the changing
scenes of this, our agitated earth. With those
talents lodged in her hand, and favorable po-
sllion for their use, she becomes the lever of
Archmedes and moves the world.
In adverting to the proper sphere and un-
svoidable power of woman, let US turn for
moment to the elements that form human cha
racter. 1t is here we find her in her appropri-
ate work. From her hand come nineteenths of
all the influence that gives bias and cast OF
thought to the intellectual and rational SOUL
II must always be remembered that the human
mind is introduced on earth with very few, if
any, innate ideas or mental impressions. 1t is
also very elastic and mpressble-susceptlble
of Impressions, and bears the impress OF the |
mould into which it is cast with remarkable |
ease. As the first impressions on the mind are
more lasting than any afterwards made, it is |
matter Of the utmost moment that the work of
giving a cast to the intellectual and rational
soul should be committed to proper hands,
Here we find the appropriate work of woman.
Natures God has so Designed that the infiu-
ence first 10 be used TO impress, waken and
train the soul for action, is that almost exclu-
sVely lodged in the female hand. The first
human being, as IN object of interest and know
ledge 10 every infant mind, is woman. Whom
or what does child know, or love, or rever-
ence sooner than a mother! Thus the ele-
ments that influence and form the mental cast
of one and every soul of our race, are gathered
from the atmosphere of female power and posi-
Ilon. Nothing sooner than the expressions OF
amOlher's face, rouse and give tone to the in
tant soul. The sparkle Of her eye-the signi-
fcant language of her expressive countenance
the soft and mellow or coarse aud disapprov-
ing accents of her effective voice-her smiles
or frOwns, caresses or repreofs, are the first
lessons learned by the entire race of man, IN
all their successive generations. In the pur-
pose aud plan of Heaven, the whole world is
but one great school house, and females are the
primary and principal teachers The grand
design is to bring. by kind of natural process,
the image Of female nature to be impressed on
every rational creature of the human family
Such is the impressibIe nature of both soul and
body that, with remarkable ease, human nature
slides into the feelings, passions and habits of !
those with whom il associates. Now, 1t is too I
plain to require proof, that, during the earliest
aud most pliable portion Of our life, we are all
placed in the hands of woman to be moulded by
the power given her for this purpose. This {
exhibits the position of woman, in human life,
to be one Of the very highest magnitude. The
outlines, then, of the character that designates
the Individual, the family or nation, in all the {
matters of virtue or vice, life or death, are con-
veyed by an unavoidable tuition through the
power of maternal precept and example. IT. /
then, females transform the young, in all sue {
ceediag ages, into theirsown image, we only
ask for the unhndered use of their power, that
II may be brought 10 perform itsown legitimate
Office, and soon would every heart be cheered
With ihe certain hope that this Aceldamic
world would speedily assume something OF Its
Pristine purity and peace. Yes, LET not our
females be crippled 10 power by an ungailant
legislation; let them breathe wholesome at 1
nOsphere ia the educational world-let their
owanaliye powers be properly trained for the
work, and what might we not hope for 10 the
next generationl The next age would see and
live 10 new world and be called to celebrate
the victories achieved by female power. To
wonan there is assigned the work Of rousng,
training and expanding the entire family oil
haan 10 their youthful days and Of making lm-
prsssons on The soul that death itself can never
craze. ~. .....ss .s.....s sap
SMYRNA, DEL.
ITO be c0niinned)