The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-01-15
The CorporeaI Punishment of
Girls.

DR.. Morrill, Wyman, of Cambridge, has
been one of the most active in denounc-
ing the recent case Of girl whipping in
that city, and has published pamphlet
setting forth the moral and physical rea-
sons why cerporeal punishment should
not be inflicted upon girls, with great
clearness and force. he says:
| Why should not girls be treated as
boys? Because girls are not boys. Ev
ery parent having children of both sexes
knows that they have moral characters
tics which at once distinguish them be-
fore they arrive at the school age. They
are weaker in body and more sensitive in
feeling, and are more occupied with the
impression they make upon others long
before they .know its value. That deli
cate sense of propriety which distinguish
es the woman has already its germs in
the girl. They seem to know instructive
ly that they cannot rely upon physical
strength, and as lnstinctively cling to
others for support and protection. They
are gentle, docile, confding, and affec.
tionate. They exhibit those gentler
qualities at home and in school in thou
sand ways; they hasten to meet their
teacher as she approaches in the morning;
they run by her side, they seize her hand,
and evince their affection by kisses upon
her cheeks and roses upon her desk The
skillful and faithful teacher takes ad-
vantage of these qualities, especially of
their docility, and SO molds them that
eorporeal punishment is not only unne-
cessary, but it is cruelty.
Physiologically she is different, and to
this | would most earnestly beg your at
tention. Her blood corpuscles are small
Ter, her nervous system is of more deli
cate structure, her brain is lighter, and
her muscles smaller; she is made for
quickness and vivacity, but not for
strength and endurance. The same rea-
sons which prevent her from sharing the
rougher games andsplays of boys should
protect her from suffering the harsher
punishments Of boys, She is more SEN
sitive to internal emotions and external
sensations; and I assert, without fear Of
contradiction that no physician can be
safely trusted to advise for the preserva-
ton of health or its restoration who dis
regards even in the child the distinction
of sex. The most eventful period of her
physiological life is spent in schools
During this period. there is not unfre-.
quently mental uueasiness, irritability
and depression, easily mistaken for petu-
lance and defiance by .he unwise, and, l
greatly fear, has sometimes produced
punishment for that for which she is an
swerable to her God alone.
With rapidity of development un-
known in the other sex, she becomes a
woman, with all woman's refined SEN
sibilities, hopes and fears. She now in
stiuctively knows that upon the good i'm.
preston she makes upon others is based
her hopes fer the future. If her physi-
cal organization is sensitive, her spiritual
nature is doubly sensitive, and it is this
which makes her what she is. 1t is in
vain to count the number and weigh the
severity of the blows upon her person,
and note the hours that. elapse before the
marks disai pear. Her spirit is wounded
she is disgraced and degraded; years may
not efface the consequences. 1t is this
that stirs the sensibilities and brings
down the censure of the greatest part Of
the civilized world and from none is that
censure more severe than from cultivated
women. Strike not woman, even with
a feather, is the motto of civilization. and
it isin accordance with the spirit of Chris
tianlty also.