The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-03-18
WOMEN AT THE CENTENNIAL.

One OF the most interesting and sugges-
tive features of the great Exhibition at
Philadelphia will be the Women's Depart
ment, inaugurated under the auspices of
the Women's Centennial Union. This as
ISOLATION was organized in the city O! H..i-
adclphia in 1878. and has been 50 success
full in its management that sufficient funds
have been secured to warrant the erection
of the Women's Pavilion, in which will be
displayed the evidences of female ingenu
ity, industry and invention. The advan-
tages Of such an exhibition are not limited
to the mere physical display of woman's
handwork. There is a moral question I'M
DERIVING this exhibition involving problems
of greatest Importance to woman as sex.
While she owes SO much to Christianity
for her moral elevation, she is likewise
largely indebted to the advanced civilza-
ton of the century in placing her upon
higher plane of individual and social indie
pendence. Every agency, therefore, that
the enlightened spirit of the nineteenth
century can supply, every enterprise that
has in view the enlargement Of her spheres
of usefulness and activity, and that add to
the number of occupations and pursuits in
which she can proiitably and honorably en-
gage, is a contribution to an advanced
civilization, and a gratifying evidence Of
national advancement. The restrictions
heretofore placed upon the industrial &C
tivities of woman has forced upon her an
unwilling, and, to a certain extent, degrad-
ing dependence. The opportunities of en-
ployment have not been equal either to her
ability or her ambition in the field of in,
dustrial enterprise. Now that the sense
less and unjust prejudice against labor has
yielded to more advanced sentiments and
ideas, no question Of personal respectable
ity is involved in her effort to secure in
dividual competence and independence.
The mere sentimentality that, in the past,
has retarded the development of woman's
natural abilities, by depriving her of the
means Of its exercise, has given place to
broader and more liberal views upon the
subjects of woman's work, and woulan's
capabilities This proposed exhibition,
then, will display the evidences of the adj
vance made by her in the different depart
ments of skilled industry. The contrast
between the woman of 1916 and the woman
of 1876 will be striking il the display of
industrial offerings. The superfiuous and
ornamental to the production Of which the
energy of woman has heretofore been di-
rected, have given place to the useful and
practical productions of womanly skill.
The opportunity of remuneratiye labor has
been productive of Increased incentive to
exertion, and in the fields of her enterprise
she will contribute specimens that place
her upon a level with the competing SEX
Another object it is hoped will be secured
by this special display is the organization
of a movement looking to the early aboli-
ton Of the unjust discrimination still exist
ing against her in the poorly paid depart
ments of female labor. No reasonable
ground exists why woman should not re-
ceive the same compensation as men for the
expenditure of the same amount of time
or of labor. If the labor expended pro-
duce the same result, the compensation
should be the same. Limited to such pur-
suits as her physical power is equal to, all
other things being equal her industry
should reap the same reward. Great adj
vances yet are to be made in these respects,
and the broad question of humanity has
ample field for discussion, in raising to a
higher plane of industry, the half paid
thousands Of struggling women whom the
misfortunes and necessities of life compel
to daily toll.