Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-28
WOMAN.
Her Character as Drawn by
Woman.

Her Character as Drawn by q
Woman.
Correspondence Of the Ledger
What q small sentence, vet what a
powerful significance is there in the term.
Perhaps few seek to make it a stndy in
its different conditions, so as to discrim-
mate justly between its merits and imper-
fections. Men often wound the sensitive
feelings Of fwomanly worth by saying many
things to robe the character in unfit
garments. They must not think because
some few, from whom they may have re-
ceived false impre 3sions of the seX-have
failed to reach the high standard they
may have marked for her excellence,
that the whole sex must sink beneath
the blight of their perverted synopsis.
No, far from it. God forbid that such
gross injustice should fall upon the ten
der jewels he created for the ele-
vation of mans rougher nature, by soft
ening him with her gentleness, purifying
him with her virtues, and ennobling him
with her fortitude and endurance. Wo-
man pleads for sympathy and protection
by her physical feebleness; but in point
Of honor and lofty courage who will deny
that she is not braver than even her
lordly masters who claim such protected
prerogatives by the code that sets them
her superior2 She may not figure in the
worlds broad glare, for that is not her
sphere; -she may not convert her pur-
poses into national law or vast research
that may win for her imperishable fame;
but she can WELD an influence far more
potent than the greatest law-giver in the
land, for she exerts that moral sway that
refines the tendency of all pursuits with
her courage so sublime, her character so
pure, her obligations so sacred, her pa
tience and submission in the hour of
trial so heroic, and devotion so unchang
ing, tn It even the angels of God
holy circle might fold their spot
less wings over her mission so beautifully
rendered. Man shut off from the influ-
ence Of mothers or sisters compan-
ionship cannot well place proper esti-
mate on woman character in the aggre
gate, for they have no opportunity of
Judging its consistency They float
about promiscuOusly, basking in the
smiles of fashion vctaries, seeking with I
them the perishable gems that gild the /
of idle ambition What sub
stance can there be in a shadow? and |
what good can grow out Of pitifnl cir
cumstance so deplorable in its effects (
For awhile it gratifies the folly of youth, 4
giving what they receive; but when the !
age comes for mature reflection, they
fall back aghast at the aspect, and class \
all women with the fippant butterflies
that chased bubbles for period on the
sunny streams Of time that held them
entranced by their beauty and bright
ness. bat left nothing int regret to mark I
the void in their perishable existence.
This feeling Of faithlessness grows out Of
their own unworthiness. Let them enter
into the deep recesses Of their own hearts
and see If there Is no blemish there that
makes them, as il were, a tinkhng
eymbal and sounding brass. Let
them face the duties and obligations Of
their own requirements in the spirit that
cxacts falfllment Of them, as well as
those upon whom they would impose il.
They are no more exempt from the moral,
and general obligations II life
than the ones Of whom they seem 20 ex-
act perfection Many sorthy men &c
through life hugging some pet theory