The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-05-05
For he pemocsaiie Adsoea.s.

Biz. demonstrating been a reader OF the
Democratic Adpoeate for long time, and had
the benefit Of different persons ideas on two
man" and . woman's Rights have conciu-
ded that maybe another woman's pen might be
allowed to writs few thoughts on the same
theme. Baurelt would like to be polite
enough to say either Miss or Mrs., if know
which would be correct, and must confess To
slight suspicion of the probability Off being
neither, think II more probably Mr., the rea-
son being, that woman, though accused OF un-
bounded vanity, would hardly think or speak
Of her sex as moving 10 her sphere, with sweet
ness and generosity, as having ga soft PERSIA
sivevoice, eloquent and admirable, &c."-com-
mences her attack on the advocates Of nWo-
mans Rights" without stating tie true meaning
ofwhat they ask foe, and professes to think
that they are aiming at political life, and only
wish to vote and hold office. This s a con-
tracted view Of the subject.
Those who ask for the privilege of voting
do so with the hope of securing the enactiono IL
laws for the guidance Of those persons that
think that what the laws allow, either directly
by express permission, or indirectly by not
forbidding, is right. Though they hope thus
to secure justice for those who have NOT had h
in the past, they neither wish 10 prevent her.
that can, from dreaming on in sweet inno-
ccnce, though thinking that to befully awake.
Cup and doing would be better in this o,side-
awake world" nor do they wish those who
have paradise, II such there are, to be de-
rrived Of it, but they do wish to explain some
Of the causes which induced the public life Of
some Of the ladies who are represented AZ
having made stump speeches all over the coun-
try, and whose labors are so derisiyely spoken
of may have had some influence ia changing
tue political condition Of the =" American wo-
men" from that which Laurel calls one of poaco
and prosperity, to what 1t is to-day. One Of
the mosttalented, energetic and successful ones
engaged in delivering public lectures on tho
subject was led to do so By hearing the tales Of
woe that fell fron the lips Of wives and mothers,
who came to obtain legal advice from her
father, and learning that when husbands chose
to be the most cruel of tyrants themselves, or
being dead continued to live in power, 90 far
as property rights were concerned, in the per-
sou Of an oldest son, the legal inheritor Of the
parents estate, there was no protection for
them, in the laws of their country.
Another, also the daughter of alawyer, had
a similar reason for espousing the then new and
unpopular cause, having resolved to do 90 by
having her sympathies enlisted in behalf of a
wife that fcd from drunken husband, and 10
whom ber father corld on,y say wien explain-
ing the law, q Your husband can whip you out
Of the house and in again, can keep your money
and your children, whilst II gives you the right
Of having him bound over to keep the peace.
the poor sufferer saying abe would kill me If
were to do that" and then exclaiming, '.My
God, must go to my babe" she returned to
that home which "Laurel" would have one
think was paradise in those days, whilst we
think that womans reasons for being happy or
miserable, were very much the same as al the
present day, and that she need not regret with
laurel they have passed away
Passed away, We have said, we recall Il not
yet is it entirely correct; not yet do the laws
of America allow the right Of refuge, even in n
fathers house, of the wife that fees from such
a husband. Think Of it re Lawmakers and
those who say that true woman has all that
she wishes for. That father is not prosecuted
for 'harboring" his daugh or, as the law calls
il in such case, argues nothing in favor Of its
powerlessness, as its existence may cause its
execution at any time that case would occur
to be governed BY it.
Laurel says, go 10 the horse " here .hc laws
of Hygiene are freely discussed and tie bess
method for giving woman access TO public Off
ces is the chief subject matter of conversation.
and what spectacle Is presepted; the table
sits idly in the middle os tie floor, laden with
viands, and the dishes are rafting and clashinr
in the general eon6agration, which little med
diesome hands know so well how to awaken,
&c. We don't quite understand how a confla-
grafton can be ''awakened;" sad facts tell us
it can be kindled, and by little hands too; we
| presume in this case, she means that Il is tho
viands that are burning, as it couldn't be the
dishes, and the husband being represented as
sitting by, would preclude the idea ofits being
the house.
II isn't being guided BY reason or Justice To-
blame the discussion of Hygiene for hor neglect
of her home or its inmates; such a one woudfn
some other object abroad to attract her atten-
ton, ii the "delightful convensions' were not
in existence to do IT, and sad is the lot Of the
household that has for its mistress one so heart
less and careless Of the happiness and comfort
of those, whom 1t Is her duty, and should bo
her greatest source Of happiness, to love and
live for. After quoting from the Apostles, and
asserting that they teach that swnman's
rights means that "they shall learn in silence
with all subjection," Laurel adds, abut how
little does the "Woman's Rights faction make
/ H.. IL. a. r.