Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-03-09
Watohman s. journal.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH o, 1870.
For the Journal.
A COntented Woman.

Sm.-l think the appeal from " One Of the
Majority" in the Tribune Of last week finds
response in p'any hearts Doubtless there arc a
multitude Of women who have never thought Of
appearing before the public as speakers or writer's
and who have plenty Of work in their own homes
and social circles to occupy their hands and hearts,
who begin to fear they will be forced to defend
themselves against their restless and sometimes
turbulent sisters. have neither the wish nor
the ability to argue the question with them,
knowing that / could not possibly improve upon
what has already been said by noble men and wo-
men, who, understanding the exalted prerogatiycs
Of womanhood, are Its true friends aud champions
| have taken up my pen merely TO write out few
reflections which may perhaps serve as a reminder
to some Of my sisters who have been almost per-
suaded TO believe that they have been defrauded
Of their rights, and very much abused generally
| remember loving father, away back in my
childhood, who while he lived, was most ten
derly indulgent to his daughter. 4 rigid disci-
pinarian, his sons felt the weight Of hi. dispeas-
ure, If convicted Of the slightest misdemeanor
but never a punishment, scarcely rebuke, fell
upon his little girl.
remember a noble brother, a few years older
than myself, who led me 70 school or drew me on
his sled, and who stood between me and all rough
and evil influences during the intermission, and
then at close Of school waited to put the warm
wraps about his sister that she might not feel the
cold In later years when we were both orphans,
how jealously he guarded me, striving to il a
parents place until found another guardian.
have, also, very pleasant memories ofkindness
shown me by other gentlemen friends, who saved
me from many annoyances, and also treated me
topleasant excursions, without care or thoughton
my part about the trouble or expense And f.
nally recall, with full heart, the loving reyer-
ence Of my sons who thought their mothers
plain face the most beautiful one in all the world .
then that other deeper, stronger love which has
for 50 many years watched over and cared for me, ,
Just like a Providence, ~ as one beautifully ex-
pressed it. q like that e1pression.) never was
one Of the silver-slippered ones but have endeav-
cred 10 bear my portion of the burdens Of life
and some Of them have been heavy yet there
have been long months, and even years, Of sickness
aud suffering, when | must have been a burden
though was never allowed to feel it, used
frequently to have good, hearty cry all by my
self, because | was unable 10 do as much as
wished to assist my husband, who always worked
patiently and bpyey on sometimes amidst great
discoungements) smoothing as much as possible
the rough paths Of life for those most dear 10 him
My heart flows out to-day in benedictions On his
whitening head, as | remember all the past
must confess that our tyrants have always
used me exceedingly WELL and not, think be-
cause am their inferior, for there are plenty Of
inferior men and boys who receive no such kindly,
courteous attentions as ics receive, my sisters
Why do gentlemen yacaie their comfortable seats
in our favor, when we enter crowded cars or con-
cert rooms, and themselves remain standing p
Why, when we are travelling alone in any por-
ton of our land, do we feel safe whenever we find
gentleman2 Why are ladies given the pref
erence in all mixed assemblies2 Is is because,
being women, We have the strongest possible
claim upon the honor and generosity Of the strong
er sex and they acknowledge that claim. They
have placed US on a higher level than they them
selves occupy, and our Maker placed US there first
and while we maintain our true position, we may
exert such an influence as the suffrage can never
give us We would not be gleR, if we could We
are something little better. We are mothers,
wives, daughters and sisters Of men, and as such
we rule them if we will.
thank God that he made me what am,
woman; and would rather, thousand times,
be the wife of good and true man. or the mother
Of noble sons and womanly daughters, than the
President of these United States, or Emperor Of
all the Russias. But il | were neither mother
nor wife see plenty Of good woman's work
which must surely be neglected if we undertook
to manage the affairs Of government; nor am l.
by any means, sure that women would govern
better than men. They ere not apt to be too
merciful in dealing with their erring sisters at
any rate, and think if | were to be tried
for crime, would quite as soon trust my case
with jury Of men as one Of women.
In behalf Of majority of Vermont ladies, l
protest against such legislation as would force
them to vote in self defense when their whole
nature revolts against it.