Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-02-08
The Woman Question.
by HANCOCK.
"A perfect woman! nobly planned
To warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet spirit still and bright
With something Of an Angels light"
WpppswnpTu

10 warm TO comfort, and command.
| And yet spirit still and bright
| With something of an Angels light"
WORDSWORTH.
The vexed question as to womsn's men
tai status, has been from time immortal a
/ subject tor intcrmnable discussions which
in the very nature OF things, have settled
nothing. The disputants on eithe- side
have taken extreme and untenable posi-
| tions. while the whole matter resolves ii.
self into mere problem of individual
tastes and capacities. which each must
work out for him. Cor herr self have
no sympathy with questions which bring
the sexes into antagonism-neither do I
propose 10 enter into an elaborate discus
sion of the subject
This question, In fact Is one which t.
ties itself. Certain practical minds. while
| others have been wasting time, breath,
and patience In The wearisome endeavor to
show what woman could. would. or should
do" have ''cut the Gorlian knot"-(d ala
Alcxander) daring % follow the direction
OF their natural abilities. to cultivate and
by croakers-or as the late lamented Fam
ny Fern would say, 'thc Miss Nancy's" Of
either sex. host OF representative wo-
men. Distinguished in their several profess
sions. with whose names we all are or
snbuld be familiar, are notable examples.
Mind Is not a question of sex. Men and
women are upon the whole very much alike
although By a wise provision of future,
there are certain constitutional distinctions.
1t Is said that a true man combiles tic ma
lures OF a man. a woman and child; but
there is no danger that the distinctive char
scteristics of the masculine aud feminine
mind will be obltera ted-even by similar
ity obtaining.
Let brother and sister be educated and
situated precisely alike, until they reach
the years OF maturity. and their will still
| be difference enough fo- all practical pur-
poses. The human midd has many attrb-
utes, It may be strong in one point and
weaker in another. and no one can excel
In everything. although there are some
whose gifts shine out SO resplendeEtly that
the world by common consent pronouuces
them geniuses, and bows In admiration at
their shrine. Others in the more private
vate walks ollie may evince equal strength
OF mind In ditferent directions. but having
no predominating talent or opportunity for
| proving such, the world takes little note of
| them
| Much Is said OF the disadvantages under
which women labor 10 eudeayoriug to com
pete with men. These are many-some be-
/ Ing natural and not 70 be entirely over
cnme-but a much greater number are en-
tirely artificial. The customs Of society.
false ideas OF delicacy, a lack OF proper
training TO habits OF self reliance, and
system OF education lily adaptet! 10 capa-
bilities and the future requirements OF the
individlsl, have much 10 DO with the disa-
bi.ities physical and mental, from which
women suffer a self evident truth
A great cry has been raised over the
question OF "Womans ri.hts"-so called.
In our private opinion, there T. nothing to
prevent a woman OF sufficient executive
ability, from exercising her right" to en-
ter any legitimate field OF labor which Ma
ture and circumstances may indicate. Ma.
ny ayocations are now open to women
which the prejudces Of society. formerly
closed against them, and noblv have they
| proved their rights and ability. Not the
tyranny OF men, but the Indifference Of wo-
men, is the real obstacle t. their acquire
ment Of not the right but the priri!,gs OF
sufrage. Who can doubt that ii the ma
jority OF women claimed the power OF yot.
ing AT political elections, they would do itr
II is because they don't care enough about
it not deeming it essential 10 their pleas
ure or wellfare-and having their minds
occupied with uGher masters. Women in
general are credited with the possession
OF pretty good wills of their own-and a
special knack Of having their way by some
means-in fact, as sage Old adage tells u,
'i"u may depend ont When q woman
will, she will and when she wont. she
woodland there's an end ont
1t is well known she generally succeeds
in accomplishing whatever she really uu-
dertakes. This whole matter OF Woman
suffrage we will say "enpassout," Is mere
ly question Of time. MoIE AooS.