The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-10-02
wOMAN,s woRK.

occu IcplcStutcu, uHtll SdrcdSm, rQlCule,
hatred, contempt, have been balanced by
earnest, honest opinions and expressions of
admiration and respect. Hours of argument
have been wasted in the attempt to describe
what a woman's work really was and how
far she was justified in going to find proper
occupation for brain and hands. Pages have
been written to demonstrate her inability to
do anything we'll; to prove that neither
originality nor perfection dwelt in any of
the products of her labor. Prudent reasoners
would have her attempt nothing outside of
the regular work which has occupied women
in all ages-the domestic cares and occupa-
tons of the family. These have preached
an opposition which has been nearly as per-
nicious as their own theories. Ultra reform
ers have rushed to the front and declared
that woman was mentally, physically, and
spiritually, the superior of man, aud that i f
she could but control the world the millenn-
ium would dawn in twenty-four hours.
They have urged women to throw off
the shackles and be slaves no longer, and
have earned the contempt of every true wo-
man in the country. They have plead with
women TO drop all concern for home and
family, and ignoring all the natural affec-
tons, be wives and mothers no longer, but
in professions and public positions demon
strate that the era of change has begun.
Midway between these is the safe path, and
happy is the woman who is brave and stead
fast enough to walk therein without stray
ing either one way or the other; to choose
for herself deliberately and carefully her
life work, and then DO it with all her might,
thoroughly, patiently perfectly. For woman
now can thus choose her work, for it has
been decided by the verdict of the majority
of the worlds workers that woman's work
is what she can do best, aud that the many
failures that she has made in the prosecu-
ton oflabor have been because she has chosen
unwisely or ignorsntly. The whole range of
occupations is before her, and she has but to
put her hand out to take that which she
believes to be the best. And once accepted,
once entered upon, slight things should not
swerve the toiler from duty, nor visions OF
pleasanter work lure her away. And when
honest respect for the task and hearty con-
sciousness of work we'll done are added to
the conviction of duty, the way becomes
plain and delightful.
And the world sees the result and ap-
plauds, not only the perfected fruit, but the
workman. This praise is not reserved for
those who bring things of beauty and cost to
be judged. The simplest task per-
ectly done is awarded the same
Ali ,fo ~ :. L.
has made 1t possible to have at the Indiana
state fair this week woman's department.
a collection of the works of women, with no
discrimination as to the kind of products
From the housekeeper to the artist, from the
seamstress to the sculptor the ranks are full,
and from out the number must come the
representatives of the woman workers of the
state. The exhibition will not, must not, be
one of mere beauty of form or material; it
should be an exhibit of the skill and expert
ence of the daughters of Indiana. The
housekeeper, "the mother of women" can
send the proof of her years of labor in the
perfect food that she can prepare. And to
her should De awarded the highest need OF
praise, for in her hands has rested the health
of the family. And should the wholesome
bread the well kept fruits and vegetables,
the preparations Of strength giving viands,
awaken proportionate desire for emulation
among other women, more good will have
been done the state than though
she should have framed law.
And after her comes the other domestic
workers-the women who sew, who knit,
who weave, who embroider. These form so
large proportion OF the absolute laborers
of the world that their value can scarcely be
reckoned. When all the grades of home
toilers are represented, the women who work
at other things and In other ways will find
ample room for the display of the evidences
of their skill. Beautiful things such as
come from the trained fingers, and show the
artistic talent of the workman, will be guides
and instructors to women who have lacked
way mark, who have not had either expert
ence or education to aid them. Few women
are devoid of fine perceptions, but many
have no idea as to the requisite training to
enable them to become artists of any kind.
This exhibition will do them good, and
whether or not they ever touch brush or
chisel, they will appreciate and enjoy more
thoroughly henceforth the works OF art
they may see. Young women will profit by
the experience of older workers, and those
whose hands are resting after
years of labor will exult in
the fact that women are increasing
in knowledge aud are becoming better pre-
pared for life's duties. The products of Ia
Dor thus gathered together will have greater
influence upon the women of this state than
the voice of the most eloquent speaker upon
''woman's rights" The exhibition will
prove what women can do, and show to the
world that their work is as valuable as that
of men. and deserves neither condemnation
nor praise beyond its due, but that it is to be
judged by its relative perfection and value.
Failures will become less frequent as women
have more models, and when kindly encour
agement takes the place of harsh criticism
many timid worker will take beart,an in