The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-11

might withstand a delugc. and behind which
cities rise in security, and tecmins harvests
are gathered in peace.
--~------------------------
The Oriental administration of women once
found an ironieal defender in woman of
Western Europe, Lady MARY WoRrIEy Mon
raarE. The Turk is Il gentleman who has de
voted to this subject considerahl" time and
talent. The compulsory seclusion of the sex
and the plurality Of wives are not, however,
the peculiar sin of barbarous tribes. In the
primitive life of savage man. there is little in
centivc or opportunity of Jealous prccaution.
When the States OF Greece attained their
highest celebrity, the women Were reduced
to retirement which was nearly Il ma tch for
the harem. The influence of the sex has not
often been prominent under the more compli
Gated systems of republican policy. In Rome,
however. that admirable sex possessed at one
time degree of influence and power which
they have not attained even i'll our own conn-
try where they are still compelled TO depend
upon their individual prowcss and their skill
in the use of firearms for the redress of
their wrongs.
When the conqucrors Of COrkage had reached
the height of their world shadowing renown,
but one power of earth was left which the
masters of the globe did not venture to defy.
This power was the Roman women, enthroned
upon the hearthstOne, who, in the plenitude
Of Roman pride and pOmp, compelled the con-
euerors, in their presence, TO be meek and
humble. To speak of I: Roman of that day As
a lord and MASTER OF the feminine gender
would have been a sarcasm which would have
cut through the shield and helmet of the
most terrible and victorious soldier. As captive
kings followed in his own triumphal process
sion, so followed he the skirts of the matrons
garments. She had acquired the right to re-
tain the property of which the welded pair
might be possessed at their marriage, and the
high prerogative Of division at pleasure had
become mutual. The hen-pecked conqueror
Of the world lived under the perpetual menace
of q notice to quit, and, as if this were not
enough, the good wife always appeared in the !,
attitude Of the injured party, and got up for.
the mutual worship of herself and husband
a little deity, the goddess VIRIPLAcA; that'is,
"Appeaser of Men" A similar goddess may
have been impr0vised in this country, but
goes under~a different. n,me-REvoLvER, to,
wit.
1t is not difficult TO comprehend that, under
such a system, the noble Roman began 10 hest.
tate ut last to encounter the tribulatiOns and
perils of wedlock. By the time Of ArGrsrrs,
the increasing number of bachelors seemed
to menace the foundations Of the Eternal City.
The Emperor, alarmed, caused the people 10
be assembled in his presence, putting on his
right hand the heroic married men, who, by
daring and enduring so much for the perpetui-
ty of Rome, had entitled themselves to he CON:
sidered the martyrs Of their country. On the
other side were the bachelors, an enormous host
of single vagabonds, proud of their freedom
and inspired with ferociOus sentiment OF
50 Liberty or Death But they had to deal
with an Emperor who was determined that the
onward march of Rome should not hesitate,
from the want Of seasOnable achievements
Celibacy was threatened with cruel penalties,
whilst that most splendid exhibition of Roman
courage, which did not shrink even from
marriage, was rewarded with all manner Of
political and social prefermenis. Not only was
the bachelor postponed in all competitions for
Office to his married adversary, bat his right
Of succession to property was actually inya-
ded, and wealth that otherwise might have been
his, diverted to the public treasury. Precedence
in the theatres, and lin the event of three
children born to HIM immunity from per-
sOnal taxes, were also shOwered upon the mar
ried man. "For less rewards than these said
the Emperor, would thousands expose their
lives and can they not then entice a Roman
citizen to arise and marry wife?' No, they
could not, and they did not. The incorrigi-
bic bachelors resorted TO Ill manner Of frauds
and articles to evade the law, and kept up such
! hldcous howl of persecutcd men that e<en
NERO, when he assembled the throne, was
touched with the SORROWS of these suffering in
nOcents, and mitigated the severity of the laws
The salutary terror inspired by the Roman
matron gradually ceased and dehauchery.
without "a parallel in human history, held high
carnival in the centre Of the worlds ciyilza-
ton.
If Americans, who bid fair, in martial en-
terprise and prowess, TO become the Romans of
modern times, would emulate the grandeur and
dignity of Roman domestic life, they have only
to endow the women with the rights, liberties
and franchises claimed by the Womens Rights
Societies, and place them uniformly above the
laws. At present they are not permitted 10
exert any influence over their husbands except
by Candle lectures; they cannot control their
own property they have no way to get rid Of
refra. tory spouse or visit retributon upon
an ,nfaitA 'ful lover except by inflictng capital
punishment, with their own hands, they have
no right to 70. te or be voted for; and, in this
free land. are r.. 'ated MS incapable OF self go
vcrnment either Il. the family or at the ballot,
box. In some ca. untries their crimes are
visited with the same .retribntion as those Of
mon, We have not yet d. rived at such pitch
olshnERexttxi oar turies, to aels noaof' Aave