The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-05-23
Mas. MERrwErHER's LrcrURH.-

vi RS. VI ENlN Ether IAcCA UNI
HICKMAN woMAN's SUFFRAGE CLUB.-Mrs.
Minor Meriwether has come and gone,
and lectured in Hickman, and created a
splendid sensation among the male as
well as the female population. She is a
beautiful taIker, cultivated, refined IN
looks, manner, dress and expression, and
everything that betokens the thorough
and accomplished lady. There is moth
I'M about her appearance to answer the
usually prec0nceived idea of the "strong
minded female" and as she stands before
her audience, dressed in faultless fashion
and in the most discriminating taste'
one almost doubted his own ears as she
hurled in most charming delive y severe
invectiyes against the laws men made
and the expressions to which her sex hau
been subjected through all ages. In fact
one would be charmed by her personnel
but for being completely captivated oy
admiration of her ability and erudit@sloo
/ as a lecturer. Her audience largely - III
patbised with her earnest oratogi IA
/ those whose readings and study hau
caused th~n to view the SPIRIT OF the Ia"
from different stand p0int to that from
,h;.h she argued had too much gallantry
/ e.even acknowle1ge to themselves diff
ference while IN the presence Of such re-
fined eIooNence. The intelligent thought
of most good men has grown to share
largely of the sentiment she seeks to in
oulcate in her sex, i e. for women 10 he
educated for more self reliance, and to q
feeling of less absolute dependence on
men. There is no sensible reason why,
all the respectable avenues of trade, in
dustry, and the professions, should not
be opened to females, and public opinion
fully Justify them in earning an honest
living in any honest calling. Why
SHOULD not q poor girl wlth no help but
her own self, be permitted, if capable, Of
making an honest livingf Years ago So
ciety was poisoned against such innoya-
tions. but not 50 much so now. Nor IS
there any wrong but it IS clearly right,
that their earnings and property, should
in every sense rest in themselves, SC
II is TO be regretted that such rare talent
=
solely directed to this view of elevating
the sphere of women rather than advance
ing into that bootless and ruinous role of
politics and suffrage The experience of
the civilized world has established the
polIticatrelatiOns as il now exists, and
not the prejudice or tyranny Of man.
The gifted lecturer said there was no
feeling in thehuman breast stronger than
the maternal instinct (Which is true) and
hence that political duties could not unsex
women. If there is ono feeling next Of
kiu TO lie holy inspiration of a mothers
love, it is a sons love for his mother, IA
atber's for his daughter, brothers for
his sister, husband for his wife, and
somewhere near by comes the love OF
somebody's brother for somebody's sister.
And herein is interviewer such a net
work of love and respect, that il is as
difficult TO understand that male prcju-
dice has built up such system of preju-
dice against women as is represented 10y
woman Fighters, as IL would be to destroy
maternal instinct by the bestowal of pc
litical duties. Political rights and polit-
ical duties are hand in hand. AMI grant
ing that womens voting was no great
wrong, Except 10 thomselyes) yet it is fear
ell imposing political duties of ali kinds,
would be entirely subversive of our pres
ent order of society. Mrs. Meriwether is
a gifted lady, a fluent, elegant public
speaker, and we hope will visit Hickman
again. All the ladies we have seen, or
heard Of, or from, endorse her, aud we
presume 4 club will be organized as the
result OF her teachings.