The New York herald., 1864-10-09

TIE WOMEN OF THE SOUTH AssAnED BY THEIR
OwN FMENDs.-The emotional and impulsive
character of the female SEX when displayed in
the sphere for which it was designed, is full Of
sweet and lovely traits. When it is corrupted.
by any cause whatever, it becomes demoniacal
Thus the most revolving scenes which were
witnessed in Paris during the French Revolu-
ton were those 10 which the poissdrdes were
the principal personages They did not hesitate
to carry the heads Of the sla on pixies, and
march with them through the streets even into
the legislative assemblies. 1t would some,
times appear as if large classes of the South.
srn women exceeded the men in ferocity OF
| temper And Of all the secessonists who now
infest this city there are none so bitter as the
very women who escape from the South re-
ceive among us kindness, hospitality, support
and protection.
Jefferson Davis has not failed to take ad-
vantage Of this strange excitableness in the
Southern women. He never exhorts them to
acts of humanity---never appeals to them to
heal the wounds which civil war has made,
but only to push into the battle field their sons,
ever so young, their fathers, ever so old, and to
reject all suitnrs whose hands are not dyed
with blood This wretched and desperate ad-
vice has been too readily adopted, and the
consequence is that the best feelings of the sex
have been eradicated. and large proportion
of their women. demoralized and converted
into furies, scream forth their wrath and utter
their hateful predictions. like the witches Of
Macbeth upon blasted heath.
Jefferson Davis, in his speech at Macon. still
asks at their hands their continued exertions in
his behalf, and their ncantations in his favor
They have, says he, zone duty to pe7form--to
buoy up the hearts OF the people" Only one
duty? He tells them their hearts and hands
must still be enlisted in his cause, and to them
hc makes bis last appeal. His generals are de-
'eatcd. his armies are melting away-all is lost
but for the women.
Before they again respond to this appeal il
might be we'll for them to know what is the
real opinion OF Jefferson Davis in regard to
them. In late number of the Richmond FL
9uirer his special home organ, which al,udes
to the Southern women, especially sgch as are
in the neighborlood OF the Union lines and can
find opportunity we meet with the following
women are tempted to cross the borders and
sell their honor to invest the proceeds in al
the paraphernalia Of women's wardrobes and
vanity"
Do the Southern women admit or 3eny this
accusation? Do those resident among us admit
this charge? Have they crossed the border to
sell their honor that they may "indulge the
passion for display" Or is it calumny, q
lie, an atrocious assault upon them. made in
the same spirit which has characterized most
Of the Southern slanders upon the people OF
the North?
We confess we think better OF ahe Southern
women than docs the Richmond ENQUIRER,
the organ of the Richmond leaders. We
think they have degraded their sex by their
violent and bitter outbreaks, by their fierce
and cruel tempers; we are sure they have
caused irreparable mischief; but we have
never assaed their honor, nor sought to cast
. breath of doubt on "the immediate jewel Of
their souls.n
What must be thought Of . caase which, in it,
despair, turns upon its own women and makes
the worst charge against them at the very mo-
ment it demands their assistance? Will the
women Of the South, whether at home or in
exile, remain quiet under such assaultsg