North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-11-20
100000, pun,.hment OF Girls.

\ Dr, Morrill, Wyman, of Cambridge, who
wa yerv active in denouncing the recent
use Of girl whipping in that city, says the
Mail, has published a pamphlet setting
forth the moral and physical reasons why
corporeal punishment should not be inflic-
ted upon girls, with great clearness and
force. He says:
! WHY should not girls be treated like
boys? Because girls are not boys. Eve
ry parent having children of both sexes
knows that they have moral characters
tics which at once distinguish them before
they arrive at the school age. They are
weaker in body and more sensitive in feel
inc. and are more occupied with the I'M
preston they make upon others long be-
fore they kno n its value.
That delicate sense Of propriety which
distinguishes the woman, has already its
germs in the girl; they seem to know, in
stinctively, that they cannot rely upon
physical strength, and as instinctively
cling to others for support and protection.
They are gentle and docile, confding, and
affscsionate. They exhibit these gentler
qualities at home and in schools in thou
sand ways they hasten to meet their tea
cher as she approaches an the morning !;
they run by their side, they seize her hand,
and evince their affection by kisses upon
her cheek and roses upon her desk. The
skillful, and faithful teacher takes advan-
tage Of these qualities, especially of their
dOciIity, and so moulds them that corporel-
al punishment is not only unnecessary,
but it is cruelty.
Physically, she is different, and to this l
would most earnestly beg your attention.
Her blood corpuscles are smaller, her nerv-
GUS system is of more delicate structure,
her brain is lighter, aud her muscles small
: Ter; she is made for quickness and vivacity,
but not for strength and endurance. The
same reasons which prevent her from shas-
ing the rougher games and plays of the
boys would protect he from suffering the
harder punishment of boys. She is more
sensitive to internal emotions and exter-
nal sensations, and assert, without fear
of contradiction, that no physician can
safely be trusted to advise for the preser-
walton 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 are not unfre-
quently mental uneasiness, irritability and
depression, easily mistaken FOR petulance
and defiance by the unwise, and | greatly
fear, has sometimes produced punishment
for that which she is answerable to her
God alone.
With rapidity of development un-
known in the other sex, she becomes a
woman, with all woman's refined sensi-
bilities, hopes and fears. She now instinct
lively knows that upon the good impression
she makes upon others are based her
hopes for the future. If her physical Or
ganzation is sensitive. her spiritual Or
ganization is doubly sensitive, and it is
this which makes her what she is. 1t is
in vain to count the numbers and weigh
the severity of the blows upon her person,
and note the hours that elapse before their
marks disappear. Her spirit is wounded
she is disgraced and degraded years may
not etface the consequences. 1t is this that
stirs the sensibilities and brings down
the censure of the civilized world, and
for none is the censure more severe than
from civilized women. Strike not wo-
man, not even with feather, is the motto
Of civilization, and it is in accordance with
the spirit Of Christianity also.