The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-12-24
Letters from the People.

Letters from the People.
THE HUSBAND AS HE Is AND AS he
SHOULD BE.
This subject seems to be sadi y neg
lected by all writer's, and if rightly
considered more nearly concerns tho
happiness Of even man himself than
any other subject. 1t is generally
considered by the husband OF our day
that he is monarch of his own family
at least, that his wife has no right to
speak or even think concerning any
family business which should and
docs alike concern the true wife as
we'll as the husband. She must in
all cases please her dear husband !;
look upon him as very superior be-
ing; she has no equal rights with
him to correct child or give orders
concerning any particular thing with
out first consulting his wishes. The
wife is looked upon as . mere matter
Of convenience. 1t is real nice to
have wife to stay at home and do
chores, keep the children in order.
and have things done up generally
when the so-called husband returns,
let that be at what hour of the night
it may. Thus, the wife becomes the
slave Of her husband. Can she think
you be happy while such a
state OF things exist, while her wishes
are never consulted-her convenien-
ces never thought Of Can even the
husband himself be happy when all
at home seen > 50 unhappy on his &C.
count. Take peep into that family
circle and answer look at the vacant
seats, perhaps the children who are
large enough, have gone to visit the
taverns or haunts Of wickedness in
search of happiness, which they can
not obtain at home, the wife looking
the picture of despair and still per-
forming the little Offices necessary
to the comfort of her family. IF she
smiles at all it is q vacant expression
Of the face and not from the heart
She feels that no happiness awaits
her in this life since he who is called
by the world her husband; he who
has sworn to love and protect her,
has so sadly neglected her comforts.
Mearch out the cause of so many
family troubles, and you will find nine
tenths of the difficulties arising from
q monarch spirit in the husband. 1t is
true in some extreme cases that the
wife is partly in fault, but that side
OF the question l do not feel disposed
to argue. Be that as it may, the hus-
band must consider that his wife can
feel that she has human feelings as
well as man; that she is his equal i'll
not in some cases his superior in
point of intellect. l do not argue the
right of female suffrage. No! abhor
the idea, but l do argue that wo
man has equal rights with her hus-
band where the affairs of home are
concerned. Therefore, husbands, i'll
you want happy wives, pleasant
homes, try once to make Thorn SO, and
IT you want to be happy yourself, be
kind am affectionate to your wife Il
consult her wishes in preference to |
your neighbor ; give her her rights
and your love, and mark my words /: |
she will repay you with contented
a. pleasant face, and with her love
aud confidence unreservedly she will
always have kind word for you
she will sympathize with your bust
ness disappointments, and be wife
but unless you keep your marriage
VOW, you need not expect it from
sensitive woman.
AN OBSERVER.
COmnAtine. Iowa. Dec. 90 1863.