The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-08-11
wowAN,s SPHERE AS DEFINED
BY WOMAN
Captain Woods and Others Reviewed by
a Mississippi II oman. factions speak
Louder than Words.'


Captain Woods and Others Reviewed by
a Mississippi u oman. factions speak
Louder than Words.''
EDS CLARIoS:-Haying read the earnest
words of Captain Woods, of Meridian, on
the subject of Woman's Rights and Wrongs,
/ ask space IN THE CLARION TO say a few
words from a woman's standpoint. Whilst
the women of the land are, no doubt, deep
ly grateful 70 Captain Woods for his manly
defense, and for his eloquent appeal in their
behalf, yet would respectfully suggest that
something more is needed.
The ladies are annually treated TO similar
orations, by distinguished speakers, from
the rostrums of Female Colleges, and they
are beginning to realize that more is requis-
lite in this matter than mere eloquent
speeches. They recognize the scriptural
truth that 'faith without works is dead, :"
and, Notwithstanding all the fine talk that
has been INDUCED in, matters run on in the
same old rut-no schemes for higher educa-
ton are advanced, and there Is no pereept-
ible widening of woman's sphere.
just here, since there is now some contro-
versy as to what is womans sphere, let me
say that l agree fully with Captain Woods
in all that he says in regard to the educa-
ton of woman-that she should be so edu-
Gated as to fit her for any of the pursuits of
life she may choose to follow. She must
not, however choose to enter the pulpit,
because an inspired apostle has said, Let
your women keep silence in the churches"
Nor can she enter the political arena, in
Mississippi, or in any other State, without
unsexing herself As we'll might Shylock
take his pound of flesh and shed no drop of
blood, as could woman enter into politics
without losing that ''grace, delicacy, gentle
ness and purity which render her supreme
ly attractive and ''distinctively feminine"
Woman is but human after ALL and with
her quick sensibilities, in the excited politi-
cal contest, the flashing eye, the bitter re-
tort, and even the clenched fist, might too
often attest her intense earnestness.
Woman is fifty, and best represented at
the ballot-box by father, husband, son. or
brother, and the country has not suffered
more in all these years by the government
being confided exclusively to masculine
hands, than it would in the future if
woman were dragged into the slums of po-
litical life
Now, gentlemen, to your record. You
who agree 50 unanimously, upon college
rostrums, that woman needs and deserves
higher education, what have you ever done
(not said) to attest your sincerity? You,
Captain Woods, of Meridian, the author OF
the latest published appeal in behalf of the
fair sex, what have you ever done mot said)
to secure the higher education of the women
of Mississippi? | demand of Senator Lamar.
Of whom all his country-women are justly
proud, who, in the summer of 1879, address,
ed one of our largest female colleges most
eloquently upon the mental equality of the
sexes-what scheme has Senator Lamar
ever originated mot talked of for the higher
education of Mississippi's daughters
So we might take them all, and find that
whilst much has been said, nothing has been
done, to secure to our women that intellec-
tual training and consequent selfdepend-
ence which they so much need and desire.
CHANGING over the past, we are forced to
conclude that it is to the religion of Jesus
Christ that woman owes everything. Even
now, were il not for the female schools
founded by the different churches, woman
would be, intellectually, almost in the semi
twilight of the Dark Ages. The State of
Mississippi-and | say it to her shame
seems thus far to have repudiated the idea
Il har fol nv
bevond what the common schools can de-
velop. 1t is claimed by some that education
and intellectual training unfit woman for
the duties of her lot. Does education de-
stroy pride? Because a woman is educated,
would she be content with unkempt hair, I'M
swept floors and untidy garments? Away
with such proposition!
Men of Mississippi the time has come
for action. We have had enough of earnest
words and fine-spun theories. We want,
now, earnest, prompt, and vigorous effort.
You who compose the legislature of our
State, and lock and guard her treasury you
who appropriate thousands annually to the
support Of universities and schools for the
white males and colored race-it is high
time to establish, at least, one school for the
higher education of the white females of
this State. Take some of the money which
women pay into the treasury as taxes, and
found for us an institution where book
keeping, telegraphv, and Typography can be
taught-a normal school OF art, music, and
mathematics, where women can be fitted
and trained for remunerative and indie
pendent life work. Do this, or else forever
hereafter hold your peace in regard to wo-
mans rights and wrongs Do this, or else
say to woman in words as you do in action
$50 and be a drudge-go to the nursery,
the sewing room, and kitchen, and there
only find your appropriate place"
A MISSISSIPPI WOMAN.