Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-27
Husbands and Wives.

! How often is it said. in the present day, tha
men and women are falsely placed with regar'
to each other. According to one party men ar
too strong, and women too weak, and they de
mand that women's prerogative be forthwith
greatly increased-they would make men o
them at once Others consider that by differ
ent course of education, which should drec
their minds to great objects, women would qui
| etly assume a position equal to that of men
without any more active interference. A third
large party, assert that, 80 far from men being
the stronger, they have always been the victims
of the other sex.
There is perhaps some truth in each of these
propositions; but when we consider that men
have always been the Lawmakers, there may be
a suspicion of their having secured to themselves
an undue portion OF the powers and privileges OF
social life. 1t is SO easy to make law in favor
of ones self, that we think there is chance of
the suspicion being we'll founded On the other
hund, the small amount of truth which we have
supposed to exist in the propositions above stat
ed, is completely swamped by the presence of q
load of injustice.
The destiny of man and woman, husband and
wife, is the same; each has certain duties to
perform, which, of themselves. combine for the
mutual advantage, as truly aud beautifully as
the engrafting OF two trees will produce one ex-
cellent kind of fruit. If men and women, when
brought together by marriage, and who have to
live together for the whole of their lives, wonld
make up their minds to be as charitable to each
others failings, as much disposed to mutual for
bearance and considerateness towards each 9TH
er's feelings in private, as they appear to be
when in the presence of their friends, we should
hear much less about injustice and false position
To use common expression, what is fair for
IL Jr in NOR cfofo
there should be the strictest equality. The hus-
band must come down from the position of mas
ter, not that his place may be taken by the wo-
man
sFor woman is not undeveloped man
but that she may be the sharer of his pleasures,
hopes and joys as she has ever been the par
taker of his pains, fears and sorrows. There is
nothing more beautiful than friendship; and the
friendship of husband and wife insures the high
est earthly happiness.
Many married men consider themselves justi-
fed in passing most of their evenings away from
home, among their companions. If this be fair
for the man, it is equally fair for the woman to
60 out and visit her friends also. If it be essen.
tial that the woman have always smile ready
to greet ber husband wien he enters, it is Q
qually essential that he should bring good humor
and pleasant countenance with him. True, he
LHdy O0 tIOuOleu duuOyeu Win BUSINESS
cares; but. is she not troubled and annoyed.
often to greater degree, with family and house
hold cares, with the difference that, while she is
always amongst hers, the man, by his more ac-
tive outdoor life does, in some measure, modify
his. If it be fair for the husband to keep the
purse, it is fair that the wife should know how
much or how little there may be in it. There
must be no secrets on either side; what the
man knows the woman ought to know. In cases
OF difficulty woman's feelings will often suggest
better remedy than mans reason.
The case might be met by the mutual recogni-
ton of one common purpose and object, COM
bined with respect for differing views regarding
its attainment. Generally speaking, it may be
said that there wants for man, more of sympa.
thy, for woman, more of discretion
"The kindest and the happiest pair
Will find occasion to forbear;
And something every day they live
To pity, and perhaps forgive"