The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-24
VIRGINIAN.
Woman Suffrage.

1t is evident to the thougtful observer OF
the general progress of mankind that great
| change is needed in the position Of woman,
both for her own sake and the we,l.being OF
society. The wonderful inventions and inn
provements OF modern life, releases the wo-
man, who uses without abusing them, from
| many demands formerly made upsl her
time and thoughts. For instance in sewing,
but for the foolish extravaganza in dress
| now prevalent, the introduction OF the sew
ing-machine would enable women who do
not sew for a living to accomplish all neces-
sary needework in one fourth Of the time
once required for such labor. In cooking,
the use of the stove or range with the many
conyeniences afforded by the huckster and
grocer, would, with simple living leave Il
large margin of the time once devoted to the
kitchen, even where the iiousekeeper is also
the cook. As it is cheaper nowadays to
buy cloth than to weave it, and to purchase
many articles, once manufactured in the
household all these changes, if not accom-
panied by sinful growth of luxury, leave
the time of woman, once fully occupied in
family cares, comparatively free for nenta.
pursuits. Unfortunately the good gifts of
| God are but too often perverted by man,
and thus the sewing machine, instead of
| blessing, becomes curse, the ease of living
induces foolish love OF society and display,
and it is but too often the case that women,
1 with every adyantantage for obtaining cul-
| ture, are weaker, more ignorant and far more
| idle in this age of modern improvements,
| than were the women OF an earlier genera
ton. God never leaves himself without
| wC.ess, however, and there are in every
| civilized land, some women wise and indus
| trous enough to improve their increasing
opportunities, and toproye what woman can
do when full scope is given to her powers.
In regard to the arrangements OF society,
no impartial observer can deny that the
| presence and influence of woman is needed
in many departments. now sadly misman-
! aged by men alone.
| When the Creator gave woman to prime
eval man as his s'helpmate," no limit was
set to the amount of assistance he might need
or she might give or the sphere in which it
| should be exercised. In that simple contli-
4 ton OF life when the trees afforded food,
| garments and shelter, the first couple evil
IDENTIFY labored jointly, and ifin advancing
time, their paths have diverged, the result
has been rather to the injury than the benefit
OF both. ri t"
firmly believe That under Providel ce, the
liquor question, that terrible, that Il shcart-
ening question, in which man has Numbered
and stumbled and gone on from bad to worse,
is in the hands OF the women of the country,
and when the womanhood OF America shall
rise in her might, instead OF being crushed
by it, she will control it.
1t is perfectly logical in our Republican
system of government that women should
use the ballot. If taxation without repre-
sentation was tyranny to our Forefathers,
it is equally so to us, unless the ground is
taken in regard to women, as it was once
with negroes, that women are not PEOPLE.
Only admit, that a woman as well as a negro
is human being and it is impossible to deny
her the rights granted to other citizens. A
lady once said to Mr.. Sumner, '.Why is it
that you, who have asked and received so
much aid from women in the Cause of aboli-
ton, have never taken any active part in the
cause of Equal Rights for women? ~ ''One
lifetime is scarcely enough TO accomplish a
revolution in mankind" said the great adj
voeate of freedem, and shall not live to see
the success Of my efforts for the African race,
but if you will take my speeches and writing.
and in every case, strike out ''slave'' and pu;
in '',coman" ''you will find that my argu
ments apply to the cause of woman, as wei
as that OF the negro
ORA LANGHORN.
: In 1880 the United States exported l45,
e 600 pounds of cheese in 1877 the export
| of cheese are set down at l0s, 1854, 66
r pounds.
e There are now SOL manufacturing estat
;, lishments in San Francisco, whose aggr,
It gate products amount to $62 1888, 900. The
$ employ over &C. persons.
: The New Jersey Poultry Association DR.,
> poses holding an exhibition at Elizabeth @
! the 22d, 2Srd, and 24th of January.
! Last years wheat crop is estimated
three hundred millions of bushels, and
> said to be the largest ever grown in IL
= United States, OF this amount one hnr
y dred and ten million bushels can be spar,
y for exportatiOn.