National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-17
SOCIAL EROLNTLOX.

Whatever may be thought of the rights or
the wrongs of women, there is no question that
they have q wonderful amount of vitality, ami
are exhibiting 1t in striking and novel ways.
Fifty years ago the life of woman was almost
entirely domestic and private. They were
wives, mothers, daughters, servants. They
visited and received visits. They went to
church, and sometimes to concerts and places
of amusement. They Travelled but little and
they wrote less, but took no part in public af-
fairs in any noticeable way. The odium that
attached to the few women who took an active
part in the anti-slavery movement in the early
stages Of that HISTORIC controversy was tie
natural expression Of the prejudice of society
against any departure from the traditional
ways and occupations of the sex.
The evolution of society is strikingly shown
by the altered position of woman and the en-
larged sphere of her activities. She is every
where. It is easier to designate the few posts
she does not occupy than the positions she has
gained. Most Of the trades and businesses arc
open to her. It Is estimated that over forty
thogss4d women are engaged in different me-
cnanical anu fnertt..ntile callipgs in New York
city alone. There are more g.:ls than boys in
eur schools, and they are confessedly the u.
pupils. The schools and colleges for girls and
young ladies have increased and improved moro
than for those of the other sex within ten
years. More than dozen colleges have opened
their doors and invited young women to share
their advantages with young men. Our most
popular novelists are women, and nearly as
many women as men live by literary labor.
Women are among our most popular readers
position in the pulpit. The Departments at
Washington are full of women clerks, and in
several States women have been elected to
places on the school board. In the charities Of
our time they take a conspicuous and active
part, and but for their tireless industry and con-
tagiOus enthusiasm many of our best char-
ties would fail. They make our hospi-
tails home-like by the taste and tender
ness and unwearying patience of devotion, and
in medical practice have gained foothold
which promises permanent possession. As
teachers they are pre-eminent, and they are
the life of the churches and Sunday schools.
Clegymen of all denominations confess their
dependence upon the women IN their congrega-
tons for the needed seconding of their efforts.
The great revival which is stirring Western
city to its depths is the work of woman, and
the new crusade against intemperance was be-
gun BY women, and has won its victories thus
far through their prayers and exertions. This
wonderful evolution of society deserves study.
It means something more than the mere break
ing away from established precedents and
time honored routine. 1t indicates . new de-
velopment of humanity under the influence and
institutions of our democratic civilization. Il
would seem that society does not move alto
gether simultaneously, but half at q time, and
the vitality of our age Is most strikingly shown
in the evolution of the feminine half. 1t is no
irruption Of the Amazons, but Q new develop
ment Of the race. Woman must take her
place by the side of man, to share his response
bilities and strengthen him for his work, and
unite with him in building the home, the school
and the civilization of the future.