New-York tribune., 1869-06-04
"WOMAN."
A LECTURE BY PHOEBE coUzINs.

A LECTURE BY PHOEBE COULlNS'
A fair audience assembled in the Thirty
seventhst Methodist Church last evening to hear Miss
Phoebe Couzins lecture on Woman" At first the peo
pe seemed slightly nervous the speaker advanced
with argument and appeal they became more Interested
and before the OF the lecture every eye was rveted
on the speaker Miss Couzins prepossesslng lady OF
about ls years OF age with pleasant face ana clearly
defined features Her harris dark and senderDu
abe does not look IN the least like strong minded
Sine studied law for several years, and some
time last Winter she admitted to the Law School OF
the Washington University ia ST. Louis. For many years
her father Mr. ]. E. d. COuzins was Chief OF Police IN
that city, and her mother distinguished herself Oy her
strenuous e1ertons behalf Of the soldiers during the
Rebellion; she has also done much toward reform
ING fallen women. Miss Couzlns's first efforts In
nublIo speaking we're made before the Law
faculty OF ST. Louis Her Of delivery peculiarly
charming and every word which falls from her lips Is
distinctly enuncated. Taking her stand near sulan
table she said How cruel is for men TO mock those
who have no home with the cry Your place Is at home
hook bas lately been published in this city which en-
deavors TO prove that women have no souls IL TINS DC
true why should be held amenabe to the laws OF Cod
or 10 the laws OF soulless animal IS no higher
than the brutes and all attempts to cyize such being
are useless Many say that maternity the true sphere
Of woman II sho has mission to perform on earth
other than 10 propagate species truly she is no higher
than ,the beasts OF the field The lowest OF all coos
creatures are capable OF doing this Are the mothers
of the race nothing than hewers OF wood and draw
ers of waterl Solomon says with all ty getthR get
rjsIou" Man saws; With all thy getting, get o
wife Mere natural maternity is OF no material sign,
cance whatever. for Is common 10 the Iowest Oi an
mankind It is usually thought that II woman Is not
able children and to COOK yetuals she mas no
snbere in this Nineteenth century
Who sell their blrthright for mess OF pottage The
speaker did not wish to be understood as saying any
On the contrary. she looked on the influence
which arises from the family circle as being next TO Vlr
itself It is often said that professions are
ing for women TO follow Yet no one can e9nscehtSnsy
to the world that they masters of the medical pro
fcssion. lApplausel The ladies' are e,aG eontn;
for charitable labor. Perhaps this Is So
but 1t Is far better TO prevent ignorance ana suneraS,
a disgrace this Christian land that charitaDIe hsutu
tons are necessary except ~ @ rare ba s and misery
Increases in proportion to tue number oI aeeonouMa "a
tons which are made for t sGeey onssS yms 5u sednc
ton lis winked by Church and state Whle nluhlSht
missions are opened to reform those who are LED astay
Mss CouSns spoke at length Bible authority touching
the rights OF womaD Her anaysls OF tne Sa
cred Word caused little commotlon among por,
on OF the audience is asserted that the creation or
woman was an after thought OF the Al
in teonnection with the creation Of inan
Neither there mention made OF the emaies 0i 'ns
he Southern blacks, and said that number OF 9eneVo-
lent ladies in 81. Louis had used every eHOrI ,eO eO
objected on the ground that the laws petmiltteu
the husband 10 deprive his wife OF neE Gncn' tbarcn
aud spend her earnings Tor rum anu tI1' tOUSIIo1'
The laws throughout the South have not been repenSu'
paa feaso why governments have failed, is because
Tho influence OF has been disregarded ana no po
tcn struoture can stand unless the laws OF Goa ana
| Justice prevail. Society has long looked towaru
! the old dispensation, but the time mas % couie
when All nations should lift their eyes toward the GROSS
Elevate woman and the Of the race VIII take care 4i
ITSELF for she woman Is the common nVhIr nossessed o &
by the Catholic Church is in the female element & Inc
same is true OF the Methodist Church, ana were
either OF them deprived Of woman, they W9ulu
fail 20 pieces The savages knock ther cnitoIet t
an the mead N they possessed OF certain aoh
Of nhysca strength so the men OF today knock on Ge
sklls OF women with their hammers OF logic put onS
sst them 10 thinking The speaker referred TO the ~
odions laws which Mrs Stanton and Miss Anthony naa
ansed to be repealed closed her lecture with pow
erfu appeal in behalf of the outcas women VINO walk ou
S spdIonce listened spellbound during her touching
raco and as the last words fell from her lips more thah
one eve was wet with tears. u. .,s .hoth ha
ibe conclusion Judge Culver arose and SAID that ne
could certify that majority Of cases whch came Deole
the cours showed that woman Is most cruohS
and that too often she finds no redress: . ,.t A.
on motion, committee was hppOlhteu 70 oDtan tne
large Hall at Cooper Institute, anu !" ehS"so ''
TO repeat her lecture.