The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-04-21
For q. p.u,se,a,ie Advocate.
Woman's Rights the Watch Word -
"Laurel's" Inconsistency Exposed
Truth Vindicated.
BY CELIA ruoHpxrSs.

Ma. EDtroR;-I can't tell you how indignant
felt, Mr.. Editor, after reading the severe
strieiures of"Laurol" against womau's Rights.
And :" Laurel" Processes to be woman TOO,
yet lifts her voice In traitorous sound at the
very shrine Of her own rights Reasonable
weakness Sad spectacle to witness the voioe
long despised and condemned, taking pride in
its own inglorious suppression and feeblencss!
criminal pretension at generosity, surely j.
Are there any rights denied TO woman is the
strict proposition. 3" Laurel says no, and
supports herself BY au apostolic order, which
il weighed carefully, and meant to apply, as
the Use Of it, in this case would indicate, re-
duces her rights especially so far as her tongue
is concerned, to q state Of paralysisl To live
in silence and Su9jeotioa begins and ends her
duties. Poor woman, exiled from every enjoy
able rightand tongue-tie Merciless fatelli
Wherefore hast thou, then, oh "Laurel" un
dertaken to teach man through the columns Of
the Advocate. practise what you preach II
you would have us respect you for candor and
sincerity.
Mr.. Editor, AIN woman, and one who SC orns
this heathenish Interpretation as absurd and
vicious. ItisOpposed to every shade Of reason,
and the crucible of experience condemns 1t, as
miserable dross. believe woman to be mans
peer in every respect, that requires the opera
ton of the mind or heart. And again, my dear
"Laurch" tell me who were the translators of
that authority which you have so freely quoted
against us ? Were the powers Of woman asked
to share in this honest inquiryH No Miss, the
pililess cruelty of man had her imprisoned and
dwsrfedb both in body and mind, to serve the
laws Of his caprice. The lords (2) of creation,
how amable are thy ways Now, Mr.. Editor,
and am woman who speaks my mind right
out, indifferent to consequences, boldly assert,
that If man was vile enough to inHict worse
than inquisitorial punishment upon woman, he
was mean enough to cohstrue against her
rights; even in the face Of tho text aud cowardly
enough to cover the fraud. No Sir, Mr.. Editor,
| am not one Of those FLOWERS which obse-
quiously follows the sun as Its lord and only
lifts It's head when the master has retired.
don't permit any man TO gauge my faculties
and assign me any position his fancy may
graciousiy suggest. Mr.. Editor, if you would
make your valuable journal an organ of
~oman's rights, you would be caught up in the
grateful affection Of every true and loyal
woman. But you can do just as you please
about that. You may think, too, we ought to
be as silent as the tombs, a mere soulless au.
tomaton. But would ask you, a gentleman
of learning, IL "discussion Is not the very bull
wark Of truth, the only safeguard against the
imperfections Of the mind, the only chastiser
OF extravaganza, the antagonist of dogmatism,
the only handpost that points us perpetually
along the path Of moderation, which is usually
the path of truth" Your intelligence will
admit it, and fie upon the man or woman who
would let our cause go sr par,s. We have the
cause OF right and liberty in our care, and il
shall be nursed so long as the sentiments of
humanity preyade the human breast. thank
that high destiny which lead the heroic Gotbs
and Vandals down upon impcrious Rome, and
when they hurled to the ground the proud
crest Of that mistress, 1t was the signal hour of
woman's redemption! The blow against her
chains was there first directed and the first
victory Of her rights secured. Their noble
hearts first inspired the code of chvary, and
erected the beacon-light to cheer us on to the
full measure OF our liberties. Mr.. Editor,
monument more enduring than brass should be
erected to the memory OF these first champions
Of our rights, and ana sir, willing TO head the
subscription at once. Educate woman physi-
eally and mentally, bestow on her the same
careful advantages which man has so gener-
ously bestowed upon himself, and mark her
progress. "Laurel" may then have reason to
be proud of her SEX for what il has done, and
not for what it has not DONE Where are the
bounds of womanhood? Bounds laid down by
mans shallow conceitf Away with this arb- |
trary power, this odious relic of bar barism and
summon Horace Greeley's trenchant pen to the |
cause of freedom. Wendell Phillips will come |
too, and bring his freedom-loving co-laborers
to the work. Now is the time to apply for their
assistance. Their Hobby Horse has been |
rode down; they have reached their hobby
horsieal aspirations, and only need little
eoaxing TO mount our sacred pony, and ride, |
and ride till every right Of ours Is secured per-
manently by an amendment of the Constitut ton.
Hail glorious future houri Woman, the night
Of thy darkness is breaking The sphere of
dwarfsh inactivity and solitude will soon give
place to vigor and sprightliness. Thy
subtle mind too, shall share and glory in the
final cause Of mans existence-the ascertain
ment of truth-and thou shalt contribute thy
aid in whatever way necessary to promote IL.
Truth and right are as sacred to her as to
m Ia no vtI e., ~.