The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-09
A NEW BLESSING FOR WOMAN.

NEW BLESSING FOR WOMAN.
The confidence OF the Engshman and the
Amercan-especially the latter-.in the supe-
nonty of LIS civilization over that OF the Orr
entails is unbounded. And II there is any one
feature of his civilization upon which he pecu-
iarly prides himself, it is on the treatment OF
woman. Even where he sneers a suffrage and
college education for woman, and votes against |
making her eligible to a position on the School
Board the intelligent American regards himself,
nationally speaking, as the chvalrous protector
o. the weaker section of humanity, and tie
specla proprietor OF all plans and sciences in
vented for her advancem ent, socially and mor-
ally Given time and opportunity he will de-
scant most learnedly and elo1uently upon the
abjec, slavery Of woman in the East, her en-
forced seclusion, and the utter contempt OF her
lord and master for everything like mental or
intellectual culture IN her case.
And in general way the American is right,
if little vain-g glorious in this matter. The
woman Of America, hsmpered, cabned, crbbed
and confined as she sometimes tres to consider
herself, enjoys a larger measure or freedom
and individuality than any other woman be-
meath the sun. But there is on lesson which
the ORIENT has to teach in respect TO the treat
ment Of woman which the Occdent, with all its
chivairy for the sex, has not yet learned. Ii is
the constant complaint OF the American woman,
old and young especially young-that with all
her boasted freedom she cannot walk the street
without being stared at. II is in respect TO
this grievance that the East sends the West its
message OF Improvement and reform.
The message comes from Corea, which is fifty
described by the only traveller who has gwen
anything like an intelligent account OF it, as
"a forbidden land Under circumstances OF
good deal CT difficulty and some danger, Mr..
Ernest Oppert has made pretty thorough
exploration OF this forbidden land and brought
thence great many interesting facts, which
he has embodied IN an entertaining book. He
has brought nothing mere interesting how
ever. than the message above spoken or to the
women of America. Polygam'sts as they are
and strictly as they hold the women IN subordi
nation, the Coreans grant them one privilege
which the American cannot, or will nct grant
to his womankind 1t is the inestimable priv
! ilege OF walking the street fer portion of the
day without any risk OF being stared at. rhe
measures adopted are thus described by Mr..
Oppert:
AT o'clock in the evening during the sum
mer and a. earlier hour IN winter time the
city gates of Saoul and other towns are closed
at given signal. AS soon as this has taken
place all men are bound to leave the streets.
aud these are abandoned TO the women for the
purposes OF recreation and promenadng. Any
male finding himself by accident belated and
behind the appointed time IN the streets is sure
to hurry to his house as fast as possible with
out looking up or regarding about him. and
severe punishment would fall upon any person
daring in the face Of the stringent prohibition,
to molest women IN the least. Good breeding
demands from any man (and this is always
done) to cover his face with fan as soon as
he encounters ladies walking during these
hours, 80 that he many not be recognized, and
TO walk over to the other side OF the street SO
ss not to disturb or territy them
Unfortunately the towns and cities of Amer
ca are not walled or gated though there are
not few persons who would be glad to have
their own cities fenced as 4 protection agans
growth. But even without walls or gates q
good deal could be done with an efficient police
force. properly veiled. toward giving the womer
CT American cities This blessed privilege whlcl
their Corean sisters are accorded The ;nascu-
line American might find it little awkward a
first to stay at home evenings or TO cover his
face with fan IN case or absolutely necessary
absence at the club or the lodge. Even this
woud be compassed in time, however; and the
blessings which American women now enjoy
be materially increased by the engraftlng there
on OF this admirable Asiatic custom.-Detroi
Free Press.