The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-10-07
i, .os1t Female 1n1luence,


disseminating its own opinions, pleading
for its own projects. The feminine half
of society has none. Gentlemen can
make publicf speeches, they can lecture,
they can talk in the clubs. Ladies can't
make public speeches; if they think of
leGturing, they are taunted with imperti-
neht a1lusions to ssMrs. Caudle," and no.
body Says 1'Hear! hear!" and they have
no clubs to o4frequent. More than all,
men have a thousand; brazen trumpets
with which to shake the world, in the
form of the various journals. Women
have, butt one gentle voice amid the
noises rof the press. 1t is right. and
well, and Hitting that men should take
the bruit OF Lies hard labor. If there
must, be war, men must fight; if the
world needs food, they must toll; if sci
ence be- a necessity, they must think.
Let.the lords Of the creation do all this.
No woman Of common sense will dispute
their right to take the. lead in the re-
sponsibilities Of life. I Let them enjoy
every means established usages afford to
strengthen their prerogative. Let them
have their public speaking, and their
lectpring' rostrums, and their talk in the
clubs. Aet them have, what is far more,
q hearing, in every land through the
voice Of o free press echoing to the ends
of the earth, The women of America
are proud that. their fathers, their hus-
bands, their brothers, should be thus
same time, that there may be subjects
which the intelligence of man may not
touch 80 happily as the tact of woman.
They have their own views on various
subjects, different, but still in harmony
with those of the powers that be! They
yield, without the slightest hesitation,
the whole army of journals to the use of
man, contenting themselves with retain
ing only the means of expressing an
opinion, which, they trust, may some
times be useful to their own sex, in their
own way. The ladies have an argument
in their favor. which, they are quite
sure, the gentlemen will not dispute
with them.
They can find fault with themselves.
There is no wound to our self-love when
we point out our own defects, for we
show our own strength when we detect
our own weaknesses. And this brings us
to the responsibility of woman-of wo-
man as wife. Many dishonest men
pass through life undetected, but they
have the sword of Damocles continually
hanging by its single hair over their
heads. Generally, they are kind, friend
ly. liberal men. They are friendly, be-
cause they are kind. and liberal because
they are friendly. It is difficult for a
man of genial disposition to live on n
small, undertaking income. The world
is 30 full of pleasures, and lie mixes with
so many men who seem to treat money
as drug. Large sums pass through his
hands and his own modicum is so tri-
fling. tbs only by practicing the most
severe economy that he can make ends
meet; and he ought to have more, be-
cause he himself manages the concern
which brings inlau the money. and his
principal Is enjoying the profits of his
labor, only coming to the counting
house for m hour or so, and then driv-
ing home in his carriage to that splendid
suburban villa, while he can hardly afford
the vulgar omnibus. And SO the clerk
goes home. Home! Is it a place of
Heicomes within the woman's province;
is it for good or for evil? We cast to
the winds every thought of Intentional
wrong, for. we can hardly imagine an ex-
ception in which the wife would know
ingly become the destroyer of her own
husband. She has married young, and
she knows little Or nothing of the value
of money. She has taste, and she de-
sires it's indulgence. Her husband brings
her home such pretty presents, and she
is 80 pleased; and all those nice things
make thehouse so cheerful; and that new
piano has such sweet tone; and those
genuine China jars are 30 much better
than Italian casts, or even her showy Ar
cade vases. yAndthen her good man is
so kind, only he is little dull just now,
harassed with business; she must make
him go out with her little more.
Stop. wifel Wherever, whoever you
may be. pause. You are Oh the brink of
a precipice. The safety of all you hold
dear hangs on your next step. Not only
the interests of time, but the interests Of
eternity, maybe entrusted to your keep
ing. Every wife knows her husbands
income, or ought to know it. That
knowledge should be the guide of her
conduct. A clear understanding re-
specting domestic expenses is necessary
to the peace of every dwelling. If it be
little, "Better is dinner of herbs where
love is, than stalled OK and hatred
Herewith" If it be ample, let it be en-
joyed with all thankfulness. We believe
that partners in priyation are moro n