The New York herald., 1871-08-11
SHALL WOMEN HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN
TRADE?
Letter from Theodore Tton TO the st. Louis LaboA
Congress.
OFFICE OF THE GOLDEN AGE,(

Congress-.
OFFICE OF THE GOLDEN AGE,l
NEW YORK, August b, 1871.
MEMBERS OF TIE CoNvENTIoN:--
If | could oe III 81. Louis at your meeting would
beg q hearing In person In behalf OF an idea spe-
ciaily important TO the working classes-namely, u
rearrangement OF your crafts, ana particularly Of
the inner mechanical pursuits, so as to give to
men an equal cnance with men TO earn livelihood
4 believe IN women. so does every man who re.
members his mother, his sister or his Wiie. Eagerly
do share in the sentiment that every man should
support some woman-ns hearts mate whom ne
loves and for whom be strives. Ihe chlvalry which
makes the strong sex the natural protector OF the
weak runs In every true mans blood. Nor can any
one be sensitive than 10 all the pretty phrases
with which the poets paint and gild It,
But, turning from the poetry OF life and looking at
Its prose- see millions OF women who have no otner
projectors than their own womaniy selves; VINO
have no other livelihood tnan they eau earn with
their own weary hands; ana wEo have no other
comforts tnan they can purchase with their own
mcagre wages.
Now these women, to earn money must learn
trades. But, in entering trades, they compete with
men; for men are already IN all trades-even TO the
making OF women's skirts ana children's pinaloreS.
As a consequence, men, instead ol being womcn's
natural protectors, become in reality their natural
enemies. For Instance, IN nv own business, which
Is printing, know OF bearded aud brawny compost
tors who, while picking up at their nngerends q
face and shatter ne fourth commandment In empha-
sizing the proposition that women nave no natural
right to set types. And yet The swtest type-setter
l ever saw was q woman.
rne world Is large enough for both sexes, other
wise God would not nave set them botn In it. Being
IT, and having botn To nght braveiy the battle of
nfe they ought each TO hep and not to hinder tho
other in winning the victory. It must be q mean
man who will begrudge woman her chance to earn
an honest living. What If that same mans VIE
should become widow or his daughter an orphan.
and what II either both should be bitterly lorced
to work at trade for the sake OF nllng ihelr emu
dren's hungry mouths' | can fancy % tma. su1u t ,na
man would be repentant In MS very grave at tne
remorseful recollection OF having cioseu .ne sa'es VI
opportunity TO any struggling daughter OF Goa.
Suffer me, therefore, 10 say point planA l.uouHu !.
mean no offence ny ii that II the capitalists nave
hitherto oppressed the workingmen, ana tnis
mnar confess so also the worklnImen nave hitherto
onnressed ihe workingw omen ana this you must
confess. -. ,a.,or q, In ror, hr, ro
form n altogether. Let the old grievance be now
hrnnoht 10 a happy end. You are body OF noble
and Generous souls. Speak at st. LOUIS word that
shall gladden. the heart OF every woman In America
who tolls for her daily bread. From the centre or
the Continent to the boundaries thereof send out
decaration that you will henceforth bid women q
cheerful welcome into all your trades, and add 10
TINS the Just and brotherly pledge that for women as
pay ,,
having CALAMITY received her into the Grade OF
her choice-if, then, you cannot bear 10 see Der
soing her white hands with IT'S CRIME. ana you
want TO get her out Of IT, why, seze the nrst golden
chance TO marry her out Of It, and my worn ior ~;
she VIII then gracousy leave you the mohopoJ an
to yourselves.
FiaternaIy. your fellow workman, r,. RON