The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1864-11-19
DC TocquevilIe on American Ee.
male C~haracter.

1t is a conceded point among the best writers
in America that De TOequeville's Democracy
in America - is among the very ablest works
which European authors have ever produced upon
the state of society in America. 1t is a work that
is becoming more and more circulated and read
on both sides of tire Atlantic. His views upon
the position of woman in American society are
well worthy the thoughtful perusal of all legis-
latOrs and friends of education. He concludes
Chapter NIL, on the equality of the sexes, with
this strong and remarkable paragraph:
CAS- for myself. I do not hesitate IL avow that
| have no where seen woman occupying a loftier posi-
ton; and if l were asked, now that | am drawing TO
the close of this work, in which / have spoken Of so
many important things done by the Americans, 10
what the singular prosperity and growing strength
Of that people ought mainly TO be attributed l
should reply, to the superiority OF their women"
Such testimony from an highly educated,
keenly observing and profoundly philosophical
Frenchman, il worthy Of being published and
re-published. 1t reflects the very highest praise
upon the political religious and educational svs-
TENS which have been adopted by the Americans.
One marked feature of those systems is this, the
female sex is not separated from the male sex in
American schools. The American people have
discarded that old and pernicious European no.
ton, that boys and girls should not attend the
same school. 1t is with some little concern that
we see an attempt to introduce the European
system into the public schools of this kingdom.
1t is perhaps natural for those educated in Eng
land and upon the Continent of Europe, to sup
pose their system is the best, but u wider range
of observation should convince them that the
contrary is true.
De Tocqueville, in comparing the position Of
woman in Europe and America, frankly acknowl-
edges, that III the latter country her position is
far preferable. "In America he says, "a
young unmarried woman may alone and without
fear, undertake a long journey" Again, " In
England, as in all countries of Europe, public
malice is constantly attacking the frallties Of
women. Philosophers and statesmen are heard
to deplore that morals arc not sufficiently strict,
- A. ---- r-- a 81 -~-nery con-
stantly lead one to suppose SO. In America,
al books, novels not excepted, suppose women to
be chaste, and no one thinks of relating affairs
Of gallantry."
Upon the question Of marriage, De Tocque-
vile grants that the Americans have the decided
In America, = all breaches Of moral
ity before marriage are very He
considers this to be the result of men and women
because they - love each other" In
aristocratic countries. the object Of marriage is
rather To unite property than persons" He re-
marks, that it is the opinion of " our fore
lin France of course,) - the small num-
Der of love-matches which occurred in their
time, always turned out ILL.,"
To an American, We confess, there is much in
work of De Tocqueville, to make him feel
of his native land. In America. there
nay be much that we could wish was changed,
out after al. in comparing the state OF society
here with what it is elsewhere, no true hearted
md loyal American has any occasion to be
ashamed of that great and good land, and al
war MAY now desolate portions of that
land, yet the miseries of war are for the
most confined 10 those portions of the country
cursed with slavery. The time will soon come,
when peace shall again reign through tue land,
nd then will America advance in all those ele-
nents which contribute to the strength and pros
1erity of a great and growing nation. It's great
and prosperity will continue so long as the
Americans continue TO give woman the place
which belongs To her, in the social system.