St. Cloud visiter [sic]. [volume] (St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1857-1858, 1858-05-27

III 0Hy OtAcl COuACIy y, uCepAC0 HcSiO OIdVc-
ry, which is both crime in morals and a
blunder in economy. Applause. ..r,
In some parts Of the country there are
laws which justify the assertion that .wo-
man is respected, but this is by no means
the general spirit Of our society. We may
be as gallant as Lovelaae, or courtly as Sir
Charles Grandson; but this is profession,
and it is our national weakness to confound
our profession, with our performance. We
profess to hold US a distinctive principle
that all men arc born equal, yet nearly
one-seventh Of our population are degraded
by the most odious system known to his
tory.
We also claim to be Christian nation;
when cardinal plincipee of Christianity
is love to God and to our neighbors as our
selves. We all know whether people go
down town every day to love their neigh
bors. laughter We all know whether
the universal principle Of trade is not
"Every man for himself and the devil for
the hindmost." We are ex-cfhcio Chris
tians, just as a boy is an ex-oflicio Democrat,
because his father is a Tammany Sachem
These arc simple facts, and mention them
to show there is I, great deal more to be
done than has been yet done, and nobody
need look for the Millennium before the end
Of the summer. Is the practical public
opinion in this country q just and noble
one? Do VIC open to woman every indus
trial opportunity, ard admit her to equal
rights in society? When We hear that
old Hcrodotus said that there was place
in Babylon where they sold women, we re-
mark, "That was before the Christian era :"
When we are told that wives are sold in
Asia, we say, "Those arc uncivilizcd lands. !"
But how about this in Paris to-day, when
Cotilda is taken from conventand married
to the old roue of 10, whom she has never
seen, or having seen, hates? How about
this in London, where Ethel Newcome is
sold to the Marquis who bids highest ?
Does she not protest, with all her heart,
and-submit How then about New
York? But no. put off my Shoes
This, I am told, Is Christian city-this
is no Constantinoplc. Here we marry for
love. This is no London or Paris. Of
course it is mott Laughterr May we
not read in the morning papers Of those de-
liyhtful public dinners at which men only
are present. When serious business was
disposed of; when the great speeches were
made that complimented women SO pretti-
]y, and the privileged ladies were behind
the screen; after the orators had retired the
army and navy were drunk with cheers,
and the songs had been sung, the last toast
is proposed, Observation-Disclosures last and
best gift; It is received with many cheers,
and the gallant editor Of the Weekly Flop.
doodle responds; many shed tears aftc,
which those Of the company that were able
rose, and, hallooing 1--WE won't 60 home
till morning." hiccupped to their homes
Great laughter.
There are hundreds of young men in this
city saying to hundreds Of young women
that life is blank till they will consent t.
make them happy; and when the lon{
worship is over, they settled down to Their
sphere and become either a beautiful flow
er in the parlor, or head cook and superin
tendent Of breeches buttons!
Are these pictures unfair? Do they no
occur here continually? Is not the position
of woman in this country, after all, some
what similar to her position in the Turkish
harem? If unmarried, is she not obliged
to drudge for living, and be laughed a
. if she strives to rise above that position
If married, does she not become simpl
mother of children, a lay figure for MILL
ners figure head for her husbands table
[ hope there are women here who are in
dignant at this description.
In painting, sculpture, literature AM
science, a few women are patronizingly sail
to be doing very we'll for women. And ii
the English census Of 1851, there are
certain number of women classed as in tn
learned profession they are pew-openers.
Thoug h women arc peculiarly fitted t
soothe suffering humanity, they are NE
with stormy troubles when they attempt t
obtain medical education But, than
God, there are women who fight their wa
through; that, within stones toss of til
place where I am speaking, there are nobl
women, who, under the bane Of public doub
and contumely, have chosen to do wha
God has given them power to do, and t
answer to God and not to Mrs. Grundy.-
Literary women arc still sneered at Blu
among the industrial classes, where Away
must be most men and women, there ar
sadder sights. Thousands Of 1niserabl
men and women surround us. The me
Il havo thor vv.aul- tho;r v,,+os on1 ~ Hi, las
extremity their strong right hands Blu
7 the woman even their needle is now stole
away from them by the subtle brain Of 1dai
and what resources have they? Prctt
girls, they become what you are not eve
expected to knoW; they are not far frol
here. You shall meet them as you 80 HON
J tonight. In the gas light they are yer
gay in the midnight You shall hear the,
j laugh and see them reel; no leper SO on
+ cast, no slave more forsaken. Not MOI
ally in these April days does the robi