Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-09-11
Written for the Daily Monitor.l
OUR WIVES.
BY MARIE FLAAoKE.

BY MARIE FLAACKE.
Not long ago, I heard masculine re.
mark that no person should attempt to
write upon subject unless he fully
comprehended it. With that trenchant
saying impressed upon my mind, there
fore, shall proceed with some hesita-
ton, to discuss question supposed to
contain no interest for old maids and
old bachelors.
Still, though undoubtedly [ am not
competent individual to lecture about
matrimonial affairs, there's no possible
reason for indulging in the supposition
that that fact will deter me from adj
vancing various opinions concerning
the all-absorbing topic.
Not that I propose to enter into any
lengthy argument, my dear reader, for
it would only be repetition of the
same old story. Besides, a full expla-
nation requires too much space, and
from the present general appearance of
The MONITOR I am inclined to doubt its
ability to support three or four columns
of pros and cons. Not that question
its mental capabilities, you know, but
merely its constitutional endurance.
Perhaps, before I proceed any further,
it would be as well to define my posi-
ton. Like an undecided soldier, not
quite positive as to which side deserves
my sympathy and assistance, I am will
ing to wage war for or against either
faction. If I display any Partially
whatever, / think-well, if incline
slightly towards the stronger side,
wouldn't it only be human nature :?
And now I think of it, 1 must step
over the fence, after all. For CHANGING
to glance at the heading of this article,
I've discovered that an equiyocal posi-
ton won't answer. am going!to dis
cuss but one side of question, and
consequently, as shall not decide in its
favor / may as well announce at once
that "my voice is all for war" in favor
of husbands and their rights
The simple trnth is, that I'm heartily
ashamed of my sex, and sorry that the
fact of my being woman does not
blind my eyes to the many faults we are
credited with.
The nondescript creatures who mount
the rostrum and howl forth their sense
less denunciations against mans inhu-
manity towards woman, omit a very i'm
portant consideration That THERE'S
NO WRONG PERPETRATED BY MAN-No
MISERY CAUSED BY HIS AoTIoNs-No
DEATH BLOW DELIVERED BY HIS HAND,
BUT WHAT IS CAUSED BY A woMAN's ARTS,
RQUALLED BY A woMAN's ACTIONS. I
acknowledge that, chasing them alto
gether, the number of unfaithful, disso-
lutte, good-for-nothing, horriblei wretches,
commonly supposed to be our better
halves, far outranks the list of almost
= az u - -l' - - H. 'i--si. -
often succeed in fulfilling the obliga-
lions imposed upon them by the mar
riage ceremony. But at the same time,
l contend that for every poor husband,
one can easily find as faulty wife,
Isn't it Mr.. Jarndyce in Bleak House,
who, whenever anything occurred to
disturb his equanimity, always remark
ed that the wind was due east ? Well,
the wind, at present, is blowing from
that quarter with extreme violence, and
all becauseI'm tired of hearing compar-
isons drawn between the conduct of
husbands and wives, tired of hearing
the badly abused masculines receive
more censure than they by any means
deserve.
Of course, they are far from being
blameless. Indeed, if you will allow
me to quote very ordinary expression,
it is six of one, half dozen of the other
If anything, wife has the leading card,
simply because a woman is endowed
with the faculty of creating a great SEN
sation about a very mall matter while
a man, well aching hearts and wounded
affections do not solely belong to wo-
mans world. But that's an item for
further discussion.
Perhaps you would like to know
what has aroused my scolding propensi-
ties, as well as why 1 desert my own
colors, and side with the enemy. I can
tell you in very few words.
About three years ago, numbered
on my list of acquaintance a young
couple, who seemed to me to be the
personifcation of matrim onial felicity.
Certainly, love was not lacking on either
side and while the husband displayed
an almost unusual consideration fol
every little thing conducive to his wife'a
comfort and happiness, she returned his
attention with an equal amount of wife.
ly dependence and devotion. From
her ideas regarding her husbands good
ness and thoughtfulness, one would
have imagined that he was perfection
itself. ..,-
Two years later, he became involved
in business difficulties, Through kind
| ness towards his wife's relatiyesl and de-