Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-03-07
Eabies' department.
Mrs. M. E. GoRMAN, Editrsss.
Woman and Politics.

What has Woman 10 90 WIN
| reply much, very much
/ take the ground that every woman OF IN
telligence, especially every m9ther, ought
to read the political papers, enough to be ac-
quainted with the policy Of the government
under which she lives, and be conversant
with the great questions which agitate the
country. OF course | do not mean that she
should become a b~rawling politicians figur-
or on the musings, or a ciamorer fOr an ex-
tension Of political privileges to her sex-but
/ do mean that she should be able to under
stand and converse upon the genius Of our
government and the various great questions
mooted for its progress and perpctuity. This
much aside, however, from the purpose Of
this paragraph.
All the papcrs-political and otherwise
tell us that another great political excitement
is before the State and NesiAp, not exceeded I
perhaps by any other ever known. This ex-
citcmeut, properly conducted, may be condu-
Give TO the welfare and safety Of the govern
ment and It is to be hoped it may so even
tuate but improperly conducted the morals
of society, the peace and happiness of fami-
lies, the virtue, and honesty, and sobriety of
fathers, husbands and sons may be sacrificed
-ruined-and the character OF our people
come out Of the contest very materially dam
aged.
The chief object of this article is to call
upon the women Of the country for the exer-
else Of their influence to prevent as far as pos
sible any demoralizing influence that may be
threatened or apprehended by the anticipated
political excitement. You have husbands,
sons, fathers, brothers, loved friends, who
will necessarily be called to mingle and par
ticipate in these e~xcitements, to a greater or
less extent. It is their duty, as patriots, that
they should do so. But be yours the prov
ince, OF ye mothers, ooiUes, and daughters Of
the land, to impress upon them the remem-
brance that the domestic circle-that home,
with all its holy and endearing relations, has
claims upon them, as we'll as the interests of
their country and while they are protecting
the latter, that they be careful not to disgrace
and degrade the former. That while they
are SO active and faithful in upholding their
party principles, that they do not at the same
time immediate the purity Of their home al
tars, around which cluster all their brightest
hopes for time and eternity.
Unfortunately for the purity and honest
exercise Of that right so dear to every Amer
lean freeman-the e~lelective frsuchise-it has
become so corrupted by the free use and in
~terminglings Of intoxicating drinks with
the speeches and paraphernalia of cleo
tons, that the fair daughters of America
ence, TO look With fear and trembling on the
approaching exciting political campaigns
So many Of their loved ones have been led
astray-so many have seen habits Of intern
perance fixed, irre1ocably fixed, upon thei,
friends by the free use Of liquor on such &C
casions-they have had them sent home reel
ing in drunkenness and their mouths deflec
with blasphemy and indecency-the shriek'
of murdered victims, whose blood has been
shed under angry political excitement-relig
ion, morals, decency, all, all have been 81
much shocked and outraged-it is no wonde
that woman has a heavy weight on her hear
when those whom she loves are mingling il
the crowds assembled to hear the harangue
of party leaders, or other excited gatherings
lest the cventide bring some heavy blow o
sorrow and anguish to her stricken heart an
home.
The question arises, why may not thi
foul incentive TO madness and violence
6ottlc--be divorced from its connection wit
politics? This removed, nearly all the d!
turbanec, violence and immoralities incider
to political excitement would be prevented
and the fears Of woman for the safety Of tho'
who arc brought in contact with its contain
mating pollutions, would be quelled and husl
cd, as the darkness disappears at the approa(
of the king Of day.
Woman, you may help in the noble CT
SADIE against this monster evil, by your impc
~tunities and ~remonstrances against it Al
OF yc men Of might-of influenced pos
UOnl 1c lHcH wiz NVubAOA bHC POAsEN"A Wv
tinics Of the nation, will We not aid in banis
ing it from the political arena, that wise cou
sells may prevail-that sober and prude
counsellors may be chosen; and in this d
Of peril and danger to the South, you may
able to have discreet and sober action in e'
ry department of government Young me
ID beware of this rock upon which thousan
have split. Allure the cup. Let not t
excitement and passion incident to heat
campaigns, mislesd you into still more d.
gerous excitement. By all your aspiratic
for greatness and distinction-by your Il
for home and the dear ones who tremble
your safety while exposed to the whirlpo
surrounding you, we c%onjure you 'toueh n
taste not, handle not the accursed stuff
Then may We hope to rise to eminence, q
your country be blessed by having sons
whom she can point as did the mother
the Gracchi proudly saying
''These pre- my jewels"
Tar. WoRsT YET.-The papers have lai
given wide n~otoriety to a gentleman who