The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-06-30
GRADUATING ESSAY.
Read by Miss Addie v. Smith, at City Hall, in
Athens, on Wednesday, june 18TH, 1881.

Athens, on Wednesday, June 10Th, 1881.
SUBJEcT-Woman Her Sphere and Her Future.
In ancient times the law of superior physical
strength the rule of life. He who could conquer
another his master. With the progress of soce-
ty slavery has been modified and mitigated until in
Christian countries men free, but are
still in a state of dependence. Amy who will
anime the history of it with unbiased mind must
admit that this law of ultimate origin of
the present dependence of women. The advancement
of the human has been invariably attended by
amelioration of the condition of women that social
philosophers have adopted their elevation as the
measure of the civilization of people. In the growth
of civizaon all the old notions of the superiority of
either sex are fast becoming eradicated nation is
elevated according its estimation of the character
of woman; for is not the whole under her care
from infancy to adult age? The aggregate female
mind and character is an index to the character of
men. The true advancement of the requires the
co-advancement of the sexes. Women are approach
ing nearer and nearer to equality with in all the
vocations of le and the signs of the times indicate
that they destined to become mans equal every
respect except physical strength and civilized
tion will admit force a ruling principle.
History has already shown that when it has been
the privilege of woman to occupy high position
whether political social, her ability almost in
variaby been fully adequate for the place. We have
few examples of refgning queens in comparison with
kings, yet a greater proportion of them have been
famed for the skill and intelligence of their admins
tration. Of the two princesses suecessively made
governor of the Netherlands by Charles v Margaret
of Austria was one of the ablest politicians her
time. England is proud of her present queen; and
Catharine II of Russia is considered tire greatest
monarch that has sat the throne of that country
since Peter the Great. Maria Theresa, empress of
Bohemia and Hungary even led her own army. and
she managed her affairs with such vgor and address
that she compelled the monarchs of Europe to bow in
admiration. OF the many other queens who have
taken great personal interest in and
only cite Dido, the founder of Carthage; Zenobia
the ilustrious queen of Asia Minor and Egypt, who
led her own battles and endured the labors the field
like her common soldiers; Boadicea queen of the
British barbarians, who when usband was taken
captive assumed the leadership of the army and de-
feated the Roman legions and Margaret of Angon in
the War of the Roses. If women can perform the
high duty of governing with such tact and wisdom,
have they not the mental capacity any minor CALI
ing?
With the ancients, ones political and social posi-
ton whether the patrician, plebian slave de-
termined by his birth. The political disability of
women is the single example of the kind in modern
legislation. Many object to admitting to
equal privileges because they say her nature is do
mestic. If so, viii not her nature be sufficient guide
without restriction by legislation? There would be
more force in the argument if marriage equal
conditions, hut in these days the husband generally
has superiority of legal In business partner
ships one person not have exclusive control of
affairs why need it be domestic partnerships
Until within late years women have been taught to
believe that the ideal female character is almost
the opposite of that of self control but sub
mission. They have been governed by custom and
general opinion too long, Let them rejoice that this
nineteenth century is the beginning the age of free
thought and enquiry for them the seventeenth was
for men, We think it is the moral right of a woman
to pursue any course of knowledge engage in any
kind of work for which she has talent. Is a woman
any less accountable for actions than man that
she must make public opinion her conscience? If
mas talent and does not use it, she will only be like
the improbable servant in the parable.
Educational advantages for woman are increasing.
Italy the first TO respond their for syste
matte education. Throughout all Europe insttu-
tions of learning and in the United States are more
than one hundred and fifty colleges that admit
There is growing interest in the practical training
of women for business. In age have they been so
emnenty honored for their personal merit 1t is not
enough to be good but one must be good for some
thing. The woman who take care of herself is no
longer drag to society," and society respects her
cording to her ability The world is gradually test
ing her ability by allowing free competition and she
is proving that ability by the fact of her success
Medicine and teaching are the principal professions
open to women on large enough scale to make such
racts Of much value, although women making
good record in law, theology, and the arts Let no
woman be discouraged from studying medicine,
profession which is of so much value in the home
any other profession which will so greatly increase
her sphere of usefulness. Ought not knowledge of
medicine to be prime requisite of a missionary
w omen without neulcal diploma are called minis
tering angels but they taeitly proving that they
prefer to be common clay with one.
Eighteen hundred and eighty-one will be memora-
BILE as the asher of the millennium in different
from Mother Shipton's prophecy. 1t is the usher of
the political enfranchisement of women the Isle
Man having the privilege of sounding the first note
Even Russia has partially fallen into line, England is
considering the propriey of it, while there is consid
cradle stir in the camps fifteen of States
and Territories.
Woman's herOism and patriotism have been fully
demonstrated in the religious and secular revolutions
| of the world. What better compliment the hero
! ism of American women than the paid by a for
eign officer TO the mother of Washington? SIT
surprising that America can produce great men, since
she can boast of such Mothers The mothers of
Grant and Garfield are yet living The United States
has complimented woman's patriotism by choosing
Mrs. Winnie Ream Hoxie to make the statue of its
naval hero, Admiral Farragut; and Anne Whitney to
| represent its statesman hero, in marble.
After considering the great advancement made by
women i'll the presen: century, in art science tera-
ture, philosophy, philanthropy, there sufi-
cent grounds for believing that they will a much
near future, than they have ever done in the past
And have not reason to hope That they shall
occupy the position to which they entitled as
mans compeer-the position of equality with him in
al relations of life-and enjoy The full rights and
privileges of civilized and Christianzed citizenship