Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-30
For the VERMONT FARMER.
A WOman's Rights.
DEAR LADIES :

DEAR LADIES:
Why this clamoring for more rights by
the ladies of the present dag Do they not
abuse many Of the rights they already pos
sess ? Does not the maiden often exert her
powers in trying to appear to advantage in
the ballroom, instead of trying to do her
duty as a daughter and sister, and in trying
to win the erring to Jesus
What could be more effective than the
sweet voice of a young girl trying to per-
suade the sinner to iorsake the path he is
treading, aud urging him to seek the straight.
and narrow path that leads to Heaven
Her excuso Is s'want Of Gs.s." IL her
excuse be q truthful one-if she does not
have time for the performance of the duties
she already has-ii she does not have time
to be more attentive to her parents, what
does she want of additional rights ? Certain
", more rights would involve more duties,
aud more duties would require more time.
Aud after she has chosen one who is to
go h~aud.in.hand with her through life-af-
ter shehas taken upon herself the holy VOWS Of
wedlock-after she has promised "to love
and honor" him who should be all the world
to her, in how many instances does she abuse
the right to be a helper, and sweet CONSIDER
in the time of trouble, and how often fails to
lead him to seek peace and comfort from
above.
And again after she has become q mother,
with a mothers holy trust, and responsibilities
does she wait until she has discharged oil of
a mothers holy offices, before she asks for
more rights No! even while asking to
have her rights extended-while she is asking
to have a voice in making the laws, her chill
dren at home, are needing u mothers care.
Might she not exert a powerful influence
over-perhaps q whole nation-if she would
content herself with the sphere allotted her
Has she not n baby boy at home who may
become one of the leading men of our coun-
try? One who If he have the care Of a low
ing aud faithful mother, who tries untiring-
ly to instill into his infant mind the princi-
Piles Of integrity, virtue, manly independence
and self-reliance-a mother who seeks divine
guidance in rearing seeking daily to im.
plant in his infant heart the good
seed that shall yield a plentiful harvest in
the days to come, if watered daily from the
fouut that is never dry, and tended by a
Christian mothers untiriug hand, until the
cares and duties Of manhood shall separate
him from her gentle control-may become a
worthy son of such mother, an instrument
IN Gods hand Of moving a world.
Has sho not a little daughter who should
be trained to be a cheerful, helpful member
of the household 2 (Bor even a little girl
may be very useful if trained by a careful
and pains-taking mother). She should be
taught the mysteries of housekeeping, and b,
learned to nurse the sick, and give comfort :,
the afflicted. She should be taught that sh,
has a mission 10 life, beyond the follies Of
fashionable existence, and that she need no
wait until she is grown to w~omanhood, befor,
she can be of any use in the world. Sh
should be taught that she can help her mothe
in performing the domestic duties, withou
degrading herself, even if her hands are nc
as soft and white as though her time wa
spent in idleness. That she can help to Civ
comfort to the afflicted, and that she can ex
ert her influence in her circle of little friendi
trying to bring them to love the dear Savior
Aud if she be reared by such a mothe
she will become one Of the ~lovelist works O
the Creators pure, true woman. Not
mere painted butterfly of fashion, who
good-ior.nothing but to fit idly abou
charming the beholder, but doing no one IN
good, and Iwho, il caught, loses her power
charm with the beauty Of her gaily painte
wings.
, Oh, why cannot woman be content wit
the rights she already has2 1t is the sweet
est of rights-the noblest Of missions
Can she not see that by contenting herse
with this mission-by striving to fit an
! make herself worthy of it, remembering
'aThe hand that rocks the cradle,
Is the hand that rocks the world"
! and that she may exert more power over
nation, than a score Of strong-minded Won't
I who clamor for "more rights" What
/, more beautiful than to sec a true, modes
{ and noble woman performing the duties
! daughter, sister, friend, wife and mothe
p with the right and grace woman alone ca
t possess
"Thers Is not q truth by wisdom taught,
i, There rs not q feeling pure and high,
, There II not 4 grand Inspiring thought,
That Is not seen In a mothers eye"
s And yet while l believe that woman
' place does not extend TO the senate, house
representatives or presidential chair, still