The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-03

WHICH IS which,

| The city OF New York at present boasts no less
than seven recognized organizations, OF various
names and calibre. whereof the rights Tor wrongs)
OF woman constitute the head and front OF the
| offending.
or these seven associations the magic captions $50
rosis." "Womans Parliament 'sNational Suffrage
! Association" ana ''working Womens Unionn are
decidedly the best known to the pubc-in fact, are
already grown as familiar in our mouths as house.
hold words, and in reality form the only four organi
| cations out OF the pretentous seven Of which 1t
takes any very special or formal cognizance.
And yet. In spite OF its constant hearing some Of
these four institutions and In most cases their
weekly meetings, the public In general both male
and female has very mudded idea OF what their
several associations really Why they originated
and IN what respect respects they differ from
another let each speak for itself.
glance at the archives (prinred but OF limited
circulation) OF the Oldest OF these venerable assoca
tions viz.:-The "Sorosis' remembered to have
originated some two years since from the ruins and
wrecked feminine hopes Of invitation to the IA
nous Dickens dinner informs US that the object OF
that organization is social one simply. and that it is
mot the development OF any specially" whatever
that may mean, ''nor Is 1t devoted to any sect.
party or GLASS; 1t is not frantic about
woman's wrongs, nor loudly clamorous for woman's
rights. 1t does not expect to found hospitals
dow colleges, institute temperance societies or
organize moral reform associations. While IL hOn0rs
the noble men and women engaged In these various
Deneticent activities sympathizes with their aims
and heartily wishes them success, 1t conceves that
its own province Is distinct and separate from them
ail-that it fills hitherto unoccupied field; has OBJ
jects to accomplish second In importance to none;
work TO do that will demand the best energies Of all
who are engaged in it"
"Wnat are you going to dos" is o question fire..
quenty put to members OF Sorosis. The ques-
ton Is not unfrequently followed by the suggestion
special evil to which the prompt attention of
Sorosis Is invited Why, physicians tell US that 1t ia
Of little use to apply local remedies when the whole
organism Is diseased; That the important thing to
bedone Is TO improve the general health and that
as fast as this Is accomplished special difficulties
Recognizing this principle Sorosis aims to be
rather than to dO-tO become rather than to per-
present time il true womanhood; that IN every de-
partment OF social life wanted Intelligent truth
loving and earnest women; women who are brave
enough to DO their own thinking ana abide by
their convictons noble enough to rise superior to
petty aims and mere personal ambition and be
loyal to one another; patient enough to the
disabilities OF their position Till matured pow
ers and stronger convictions shall enable them to
command, instead OF humby petltloning for re-
dress-women too digniaed to scOld about their
wrongs. however keenly they may feel them too
magnanimous to waste time In merely complaining,
too wise to demand at once what only be attained
by the slow process oil growth and too firm TO be
driven from single position which they conceive
to be right S0r0sis seeks. therefore, to bring
together the thinking women OF the country and
unite them In an organization whose object
shall be the development OF suCn womanhood; whose
meetings shall be school for the foundation OF
character; whose members shall be loyal, helpful
and devoted to one another-an organization which
may ultimately become a lever Of moral and spir-
itual power to move the world IN the interests OF
woman and humanity
"How will q connection with Sorosis benefit
person remote from the city ?" ID question that
comes from all parts OF the country. In the same
way that the connection with home benefits child
ing sympathy for woman. 1t Is devoted TO her
cause, Interested in her thought proud Of
give her q hearing. Besides, most persons
come some time to thescity. member of Sorossis
to one of the officers and finds herself in the midst
OF friends She Is free to attend the meetings OF the
and culture; the objects Of her visit are promoted;
and, instead Of feeling herself alone in great city,
kindly, human sympathy surrounds her and cares
for her comfort and well being until she leaves.
Again. 1t 10 asked, "Are women OF every grade
admea OF Is merely isersry %
to no specially. IL invited the cooperation OF Gil
earnest and thoughtful women. Of all who wish to
improve themselves and live larger and nOber ves
OF all who love the truth, believe in progress and
reverence the human soul.
SO much for the aims OF Sorosls. Somewhat
Kindred In subject but second In order. followed
the Woman's Parliament, which latter % parlia-
ment Is not yet organized, but expects TO resolve
themselves from 'council' OF women into q
swoman's parliament on Saturday afternoon, the
llth OF December. Many ladies are members OF
both associations. The objects OF the W0man's Par
lament are set forth inia printed circular issued
| BY the association, which reads thus-
MADAM-You are hereby invited to act as dele
gate to preliminary meeting OF the Woman's Par
lament 10 be held IN the city OF New York Satur
day afternoon, the l1tn OF December, 1862
The object Of this Parliament is to organize egs-
lative body OF women to represent women upon all
subjects Of vital interest to themselves and their
The junction Of this Parliament is to crystalline the
intelligence and influence OF woman into q moral
and reformatory power, which Will act definitely
upon all the varied interests OF society.
Among the special objects for which the parlia-
ment Will convene are the following
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
1t is very well known that our present public
| school system, though literally supported, il dis
gracefully partial and wholly inefficient. Advan.
tages Afforded to boys denied to girls: physical
necessities are only partially realized and sanitary
conditions especially in country districts, almost
wholly neglected. Women, BY she absence OF pub
lie function, are entirely excluded from any parti-
CITATION In the direction and control Of educational
AFFAIRS Inspection and criticism OFFER therefore,
| the only method by which they can perform the
daty which their care for their offspring imposes
upon them, and which they are all the more bound
| to jealousy discharge. Men are ignorant OF much
that essential the welfare OF q chrd, and the
strong recommendation OF intelligens practical
women upon q subject so vital in its interest to
every parent, would carry sufficient weight and In
nuence to secure Improvement and hnai reorgani-
cation.
Especially is 1t desirable to introduce into our
school system departments for the industrial and
hygiene education Of girls, presided by compe-
tent women appointed Tor their known fitness for
the performance OF the duties assigned them aud
not by party influence and machinery.
PRISONS AND REFoRMAToRy SCHOOLS.
Next in Importance to the subject Of education 10
that OF correction. The present methods employed
are partial and observation-disclosures rather
than reformatory In their results and wholly
worthy OF The intelligence and advanced spirit or the
time. Women as well as men are SUBJECT to the
brutazing tendencies OF the present corrective sys
TEN, and women, therefore, have right to examine
Its claims to public confidence and protest against
its shortcomings.
If there is anything, moreover, that women are
competent for II Is to assist lnteigenty in the work
OF public correction and charity Properly all disci-
pinary and refOrmatory Institutions should be under
the care OF women. IL is they who found and stand
at the head OF nearly all private enterprises OF this
kina, and IL Is the universal testimony Of pastors
that churches draw nearly all their moral support
from women.
HYGIENE AND SANITARY REFORMS.