The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1870-03-19
Sixteenth Amendment.
ny n. ssYousa.


Are human beings possessed now
with SO 'norbid an appetite that it cau be
only appeased By continued course of
intense excitement, even of, the most
revolving and unworthy nature. an3
The lives aud acts of those who consti-
tute the Hpower of the nation certainly
prove the world of mind strangely agog.
Ever since tho cessation of hostilities
there have been wrapglings, quibblipgs
aud jugglings without end to annex
Fifteenth Amendment and scarcely has
this iendish deed been accomplished than
the political heavens become overcast by
. cloud of more terrible import than all
others, in the form of Sixteenth Amend
meut.
Aud what does it mean? What need
for another 'appendage2 What its sub
iect? What its object2 Women of
America. veil your pure faces to conceal
the bushes that should mantle your
cheeks at mention of the word Sixteenth
Amendment, for it is an insult to your
purity--a shame to your honor, the
death-blow to your womanhood.
You, may question how this can be
How is it no shame that men should
stand in legislative hall aud use the pure
and gentle name of woman in noisy de-
bate or, harsh and jeering tone, that
should make the heart die "Iis sad
that men should scof and trample on
each: other but oh, tis bitter wrong that
they should drag mother, wife and sister
FROM her higher shrine to crush her in
the dust Sixteenth Amendment
Woman's shame? Not that alone.
When the act is done which proclaims
woman has entered the political arena to
contest for position aud pnwcr, it will be
the final deed-the last signature to the
dcath-warraut Of Il o:.eo glorious nation.
Ah truly Indeed, may the poet sing,
'.Fold that banner, for ..iis weary"
fas, fold it--'drapc il in mourning --s
wreathe- it in Grape, for the nation is
dead!
Strange. passing strange, that woman
should contend for power should so far
forget her asclf,respect and duty as to
stand, before u gaping, curious crowd,
and With her wOinans voice cry out for
equal rights! Equal rights! For what {?
To be trodden uuder foot? To he iostled
and jeere.i by q noisy, clan,orous mob
Think you, oh, deiuded creatures, to
save the already totteriug fabric of
government? Vain deluson /! for with
the power of equal rights the old, sweet
influence of woman is forever gone
Will the rude, drunken creature wrang-
ling at the ballot box heed the reproot
from the voice beside him in the noisy
crowd! Will he not rather lift his hand
to strike the reprover? Not cowardly-
as for man to raise his hand against
woman-but as man tn man for with
her equal rights she must accept the
cruel taunt, aud hear the harsh and
wicked words, or lift her wor.an's hand
in self-detense. What prompts those
calling themselves women to demund
among the archives of the nation there
shall be placed one law giving to them
such privileges as only men should claim?
LIS it ambition Heed not the siren
voice; it will prove but "Will O. the
Wisp," leading you through sodden
marshes into the fatal qaichsand. Do
not strong men go down faint and weary?
See them falling By the waysidei The
soiled and tattered banner on which thew
had traced, in joyous hope, Excelsior"
trailing in the dust-a bruised and
crushed form beside them-seen too late
In their haste and upward gazing, iu
their earnest reaching for tho "castles in
the air." they saw not the beautiful
flowers at their feet, needed not the
P'oauing form and yearning heart and
in striving for fame aud power, happiness
was lost. aud as they f-., the truth of all
they might have been floats around and
away from them iuto tho "nameess
yonder.," The shore is strewn with the
wrecks Of barks guided by strong hands
Gan tho trembling, weak hand of woman
hope to steer more safely DER the rough,
tempestuous sou OF life The nation ia
dying. aud woman must save e!-Then, to
the rescue! Not ut the ballot box not
In la.,iaintira hnll MT L.,