The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-02-29
Women should read Newspapers.

institutions that our U0naen seek to be- |
come acquainted with the present, as well |
as the past history of our country, par
ticularly those associated with persons
who are holding important and response
BILE trusts at the hands Of the sovereign
people; so much so that it is often as
serted that members Of Congress are to
a greater or less extent influenced in their
course by them taken at Washington, on
some Of the most important questions
that are presented for final adjustment,
by the strong appeals from female poll
ticians and tacticians that reside at the
Federal Capital or accompany their hus-
bands and brothers thither; and that the
almost irresistible influence thus thrown
around them, is often more potent than
the known wishes of their constituents;
and thus important measures, those bear
ing weightily upon the interests of the re-
public, are carried or defeated more thro'
the persuasive arts of women, the love Of
their flattery and complaisance, or fear of
their frown and enmity, than by sense
of right and justice. But, be this as it
may, one thing is certain, that sOomen,
mothers and sisters, to very great ex-
tent, form, mould and give bent to the
character of man for good or i'll.
How often, in early childhood, is love
of country, an ardent desire to do some
thing to promote her welfare, to exalt her
rising glories, to make his name still more
famous among the nations, instilled into
the mind Of the youthful patriot and he
70 by the sage instructions, counsels and
admonitions of truly patriotic mother.
And we shall find it universal fact, that
woman who is an ardent lover of her
country, and who watches with intense
interest the progress Of every measure
that has for its object the promotion of
the public good, is constant and untiring
reader of the neacspapers of the day.
She seeks them with avidity, devours
their contents with a mental gusto but
little less intense than the delight expe-
rienced physically by the epicurean over
his oysters or turtle soup; and she is in
timately conversant with all that trans
pires Of Importance in every portion of
the Union, from Maine to Texas, and
from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, ms
well as with the latest foreign news; and
thus, not unfrequently becomes far bet
ter enlightened politician than her hus-
band, who has but little taste for news
paper reading; and, if permitted, would
vote far more intelligently at the polls for
men and measures than he. Such wo-
man possesses one advantage over her
husband that will enable her in time to
come to exert strong political influence
and carry out her political sentiments, if
perchance they differ from his, and that
is through her sons, whose education and
mental training in early life is, for the
most part, committed to her, by always
keeping before them newspapers of the
right stamp, encouraging them to peruse
their columns attentively and thoughtful
ly, and, in connection Herewith, instill in
to their minds the true genius of our in
stitutions and the policy of our govern
ment. Such instruction in childhood will
make the true patriot and philanthropist
in manhood.
Yea, moro than this, the husbands po-
litical preferences are often the result of
friendly counsel, argument and admoni-
ton of the more intelligent and better in
formed wife. Not only matrons but
younger women should be constant read
ers of newspapers of political character,
as well as of those devoted moro particu-
larly to general literature; for the chief
charm of women in society consists in her
conversational powers, and she should be
prepared to entertain company in man.
ner suited to the peculiar tastes Of each,
the politician with politics; the moralist
with subjects connected with the promo
ton of morality; the religionist with
matters that serve to promote piety; the
philanthropist with the means best adapt
ed to effect the purposes nearest his
heart; and the person of enlarged views,
with subjects of interest generally. And
in order to do this she must be reader
of newspapers as well as of books. And
then how much more sensible, entertain
ing and instructive would conversation be,
than a rehearsal of the leading features of
the latest novel, the proceedings at last
weeks ball,or stale encomium upon the
latest style of dress, DC, &c, that too OF
ton form subjects of conversation ut pres