The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-09-01
Woman and independence.

To THE EDIroB OF THE Srx-srR.
First, | will state that fully recognize
the good work that our foreiathers did
for themselves and their male posteritv
when they seeded from the British
Government and founded fraer BUT
I fail To see wherein the Declaration OF
independence has left women in any
freer condition. Our much-Iauded fore
fathers found the women Of America
subjects Of one sovereign a man of edu-
cation. of an educated race, and of gem
tlemanly manners. They left them help
less subjects under a million sovereigus,
black, white. and yellow, native and for
aign born, sober and drunk selfish, ar
rogant, brutal, or-good. just rs it hap
pens. Have we any reason 30 help 0u
Fourth OF July celebrations The we.
man who engages in OF encourages such
celebrations Is like those slaves in the
olden time of slavery, who, because toll
erably well fed, housed, and clothed.
were So penetrated and permeatea
through by the demorlliziug spirit of
slavery as 10 be utterly unconscious that
they were slaves in fact. sounconscious
as to fancy themselves part and parcel
la
The great body of American women
are in this state Of mind Win regard 70
their political masters, When but .
small girl | myself felt in that way. Nv
small heart would fire with iervor as /
read the story of our torefathers strug-
gle against kingly power, and the he
roes OF that struggle doomed up before
nay childish Imagination grand and rlo-
ritied in the white light Of liberty. But.
alas , ana alas rs years came ON, and
the cruel realities OF life and the laws
oppression 10 one-half of the people in
this so-called republic made themselves
visible and dispelled the delu.iops of
youth, the giants of the revolution
shrunk to the ordinary size OF other inn
perfect sons of Adam. The fact that
our toretatheFs had only taken a few
steps onward toward the promised land
OF freedom, that the work ct carrying
this people on to that land vet remains
20 be done, forced itself upon me-
The women of this country are free
TO admit that this is the best Govern
ment in the world, bur that admission
only shows how bad are the other Gov
ernments, not how good is ours. This
ter than II Is, as il is better than the
monarchies of the Old World For
this reason we protest against Fourth
Of July celebrations, which only befog
she peoples minds, and duh their moral
perceptions by too much praise Of what
Is so very defective.
How are people to improve il they
are taught to believe themselves already
perfect? We have looked backward
long enough. We have adulated our
foreiathers quite enough It'll time we
should cease this senselcss praise of the
good work they did, and turn our at
tention to the work they left undone.
We have had too many spread-eagle
speeches about the freedom of this
country. There H. mo- true freedom in
any country which holds ouc-half of its
people in absolute subsection to the
other half; there must inevitably be
| very dull sense of justice in that coun-
try where such gross injustice is done.
For the last hundred years Fourth Of
july orators have shouted themselves
hoarse in praise Of the founders Of this
Government, and that fraudulent old
bird the American eagle, has spread
his wings and screamed hosannah- to
freedom; but every thinking woman in
the land knows and kcenlv feels the
talsehoud and the m0ckcry. In the
name of the cuslaved half of the c0un-
try we protest against any more spread
eagle nonsense. 1t would be far wiser
were mer to critically examine the
signs Of the times, and keep their eyes
open to the danger they are in Of losing
/ the freedom their forefathers won for
them.
/ The evil spirit Of monarchy is not yet
exercised from this land the snake was
not killed by the Revolutionary war,
only scotched. 1t has squirmed itself
loose and lifted its head and is eagerly
watching its chances to resume its
ancient power. We're the true spirit Of
republicanism to prevail, the poorest
private soldier who did his duty, who
marched up to the lannon's mouth, or
stood on guard during the long watches
Of the night in freedoms cause, would
receive as much praise as the men who
hlled easier, more comfortable, and far
less dangerous places. There are hui
man being in this city who Gork from
daylight until dark and on toward mid
night, and earn thereby the pitifll sum
OF ten cents, making shirts for five
cents each, (!hcy can only make two Il
day, and this while men in office
roll in riches, feasting every day Of their
lives, clothed in purple and fine linen
1t Is the growing power Of the spirit Of
monarchy that widens the difference in
the conditions ofthe rich and poor. It
Is tine we called halt We arc going
backward toward despotism, instead Of
forward toward freedom.
ELIZABETH AvEh4 MERIwETHEE.