The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1875-08-22
CHlLDREN'S RIGHTS.
ny MRS. DIR. SMITH.
Read al Cairo W. L.. a. Rnd Published
by Request

Read at Cairo ". l.. a. ana Published
by Request
The world is, and always has been, aGi-
tated over the wrongs and expressions Of
different races. In our country the hob
by of slavery with its horrors caused
long and terrible war. From that time
we may date the woman's rights cause
proper, although the subject had been
agitatcd us far back as 1896. Since the
subject has been under discussion, atten-
ton has been drawn to cruelty practiced
OH animals this is certainly commcnda-
bic, but has, in some cases, been carried
to extremes. Now, If people must
not be- allowed to Cypress or expend their
anger on persons in great measure able
to protect themselves, nor upon their
horses and dogs, why Is it that helpless,
innocent children, who are of SO much
more Importance than animals ut least,
must bear the brunt of it all? Childrcn's
rights are but partially understood--they
are wronged-and often wronged by
those whose duty it is to throw Outcvery
safeguard and protection. "'ris true,
It's pity, and pity it's true that chill
drcn whose very helplessness and inno-
cencc should be IN appeal to every heart
for love, mercy and protection, should
be the greatest sufferers in the
land from injustice. 1t cannot
be said they are wroDged Intentionally,
but strange to say, because this impor-
tant subject has not had sufficient
thought aud attention. The education Of
girls is, as general rule, superficial.
All the general facts and principles Of
the world should be the common property
of both sexes, and should be acquired in
such a manner as to be systematized so a
to be made available in after life. The
laws Of life and health are subjects much
neglected, yet they are of far more i'm
portancc than trashy accomplishments
on which so much time and money are
spent. No mother, whatever her station
| in life may be, should feel that she had
fulfilled her duty toward her daughters
hold, to control its expenditures, and )"
every way prepare them for the o'''''
| and responsibilities of inc '''"'''
| No amount of property gwen theih
| c,u oc.--rN"sa.o 10, tie neglect 81 this
duty, for does it not totally unfit them
for the highest, most honorable position
that woman can desire, that of mother +:
When the daughter marries and babe is
born, more frequently than otherwise, tits
given into the hands OF an ignorant nurse
who has no idea Of the responsibility she
has assumed regardless OF screams, it is
scrubbed and baidaged so tight that it
has more the appearance of a mummy
than anything else; then it must be fed,
and as it was bandaged on an empty
stomach, there is no room tor expansion
of course, that causes the child to be fret
full and restless; nurse concludes the LITTLE
darling has the collie, and must have
some tea, another strain on the little
stomach already filled to its utmost ca
pacity then it must be trottcd and oltet
TO ease the pain, until it Is wonder that
language is not given it to cry out agains,
ignorance and inhumanity. OF course
the mother utters no protest, as she is as
ignorant as the nurse, and permits her to
assume all responsibility. 1t is shame
that innocent, helpless infants are cXper.
imented al as they are, especially the
| first in II family. In rejecting on the diff.
ticultics children have to overcome, tho
wonder is, not that they often develop in
such monstrous caricaturcs on humanity,
but that they ever developat all. Those
who arc fortunate or unfortunate enough
AS the case may be, to survive the trout
bles and diseases OF babylood soon find
the world was not made for children
Society was made for grown people and
IN its organization, the needs and wants
Of children were not consulted II you
have never thought of it In this light &C
through city in search of houses OF
apartments. Generally before credentials
! are required, the question will be asked
7 "Havc you children" If you are SO I'm
fortunate, neither for love or money, cal
c you be accommodated. In hiring servant,
l. their first question is Have you chill
: drcn, and how many" 1t seems almos
like Offering Il premium on child-murder
; The little creatures, boys especially, ar
kept like wandering Jews, or the doy,
from The ark there is no rest for them
l no freedom about the house; papa can
: not read If they arc in the room will
/ him; they are obliged to do somelhin.
i to nmusc themselves {, furniture is too OK
i penslvc to play with they are not allow
!. cd to cut paper, Or white on the carpet
\, as an untidy room is by no means pleas
. ant sight, and gives visitors an idea tina
mamma is anything but Il gooo
. housekeepcr. No one likes to b,
) constantly rcarranging and putting
= things In order, mamma cannot spare IN,
! time, sisters cannot be expected to pur
, down an interesting novel to attend tc
/ their wants, unite knots, make kites, o,
9 tell them stories; unhccding pitifnl plead