The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-04-01

less her composition is the partial product
of our institutions Yet if there be such
thing as the freedom of the will, she can
no: be wholly despoiled of It. In the active
exercise OF her will lies her salvation. Not
mans, but her own salvation i the vital
need. The help she wants is self-he!P.
They who would be free, themselves
must strike the blow" This is the Divine
condition OF whatever liberty is worth hav-
ing. When it comes to that, woman will
find the world ready to fly TO arms in her
defence. When she is just TO herself,
man will be Just to her. When she is re-
spectacle, she will be respected. The chief
object in her way is her want of self-re-
spect. She respects everything save her
self She respects herself as personal, Sc
cial, conventional creature, but not As a
woman. In either sex, self-respect is the
condition Of force and elevation of charac-
ter. 1t is peculiarly 50 in woman. She
lacks il and lacks all. She commands the
praise, fattery, admiration, love and chiv-
airy Of men, but not their respect. She
commands man, but not manhood. She
is but child Of larger growth. Her
tastes and ASPIRATIONS are all puerile. She
runs away to sentiment, is abjec.ly servile
TO the caprices of fashion, her mind, like
neglected garden, is all weeds and no flow
ers. She is devoted to artificial conyen-
tions, and il is not wholly without reason
that her name is the synonym for frailty,
fickleness and superfciality. 1t is with
some justice that she has been classed with
children, negroes. Indians and idiots. Like
them she has passion for baubles, and
colOrs, tawdfy earrings and finger-rings.
Like theirs, her conversation is full
OF intersections and EXPLANATIONS like
these, she is a creature OF imitation; her
basis OF respect is external and not internal,
not self, but apparel. This must all be
changed. Reforms are endogenous-join
within outward. Let women cultivate
themselves, and all privileges, all pursuits
will fly open to them. Mrs. Somerville |
found no hinderance in her sex to the high |
est achievements ofscience. Madame Pheip- |
per's womanhood was no obstacle TO the |
most extended travel One embodiment of |
self-respect like Miss Anthony is perpet-
nal burning reproach 10 the almost uniyer-
sal efieminacy OF her sex. When woman
does what she can'do, all the gods are at her
service. When did a roman appear whom
society did not honor? Learning, talent,
genius, character, are all honored in wo-
man as in man. Let her prove herself
strong, and all gifts, rights and immuni-
ties will speedily gravitate to her.
We have said that the difficulty in the
woman's movement has been in the means
employed. Equally intent upon an objective
point, they have neglected the proper dis
cipline of their forces. The real enemy is
in their midst. 1t is needless 10 insist upon
abstract right; men will not listen to it,
When every man has a political reformer
in his house, suffrage will lie won for wo-
men. Let their tactics be sharp-shcoting-
every woman her man.
Instead of scolding the men, let them APP
peal TO and educate the women. Ii a single
hornet can make a whole camp-meeting
lively, an intelligent woman can make any
husband exclaim with the Irishman, who,
when informed that his wife was sufira-
gist, said, ID her; let her suffer-"
If the Reformers should address all their
appeals to the women, sweep them with a
storm OF red-hot Indignation and touching
eloquence, their point would soon be gain
ed. The fulcrum Of reform is the conscious
ness of its necessity. Let this conzciousness
he aroused, women.