The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-08-16
The Oppression OF Woman.

The "subjugation of woman" has al.
ways been the problem that lay ut the
threshold of the philanthropical discuss.
ion about her emancipation" How
did it happen that she became "subiugat.
ed' in the first place? How was it that
man acquired his so.callcd ascendancy I?
In the primeval world, according to all
accounts. women did as much ofthe hard
work as men, and were as strong,
particularly in endurance. In tact and
quicsness of wit and capacity of manage.
mcnt, they were certainly not his infe.
riors. And if, as is generally believed,
it is intelligence that rules tho world
instead of brute force, they seem from
the start TO have had an equal chance.
Philosophy fails as history fails to throw
any light upon the time and reason of
her sutjugaton. 1t has occurred to us
TO turn to mythology for solution, and
we have been rewarded by finding some
thing quite to the purpose, and which
may perhaps bc accepted, in default of
anything better. as clearing up Of the
whole matter.
In the american antiquarian for July
is paper by Mr.. w. Matthews on the
Navajo mythology. 1t seems that the
Indians. great way back in time, while
they still lived in tho fourth world-that
is 6atoro they had ascended into the
fifth world where we ell will live, dwelt
in peace ON the north bank of great
river, where the population multiplied
and crops were abundant. They lived
in this serenity under twelve chiefs, for
q long time, until disturbances arose
concerning the infidelity of woman.
They must have been as much civilized
as we arc, for even Mt that remote period
no account seems TO lave been made of
the infideiity Of man, which must have
been necessary concomitant of the
other. at any rate war Of words arose
between the men and the women. The
woman said: 1--WE depend not on our
husbands; it Is they who depond on US.
We till the soil and carry the water: we
make the fire and weave the baskets !;
we "can take care of ourselves, and will.
therefore, do as we please" But the
men said: "It is we who clear the fields
and help to till them we will game for
you, and guide and assist you in all your
labors; you cannot live without u.s."
So the quarrel went on, and the sexes
agreed to separate. The men built a
boat and crossed over to the south side
of the river. leaving to the women the
cultivated fields.
| This separation lasted four years
| And now mark what happened. In the
first year, M the men had to make new
farms, they had small crop; while the
woman, having land cleared and ditchcd
| had an abundant yield; and we are sor
ry to say that they jeered at and taunted
tie men for their shortcomings. The
second year the men had better crop,
while the women, who had prepared no
\ new land, had hardly sufficient corn for
their needs. Besides, tho men were
among game and killed abundance OF
| 1t. while the women had no meat to cat.
Al the eud Of the fourth year, the men
we're fat and prosperous, while the w0.
| men were starving, and many of the
latter called across the river and begged
to be taken back
And now mark again what happened.
! and that if the men conquered, it was a.
much by tenderness rs by strength. For,
| behold, the men, whose hearts were
| softened, met in council, and many urged
that the women be forgi III but while
| they were still debating for it ia the
nature Of men 70 debate, and hold
deliberative assemblies, and net in order
: some of the women jumped into the
river, intending to swim over, and were
| lost to sight under the waters. This
| decided the softhearted men. So they
made boats and took the women across
| the river. But they said to them-for IL
is the nature of men to have compacts
and understandings, and constitutions
and laws-"You have now learned
.omething that you must remember.
You supposed yourselves to be as strong,
az willing, and ss s9'se as we; bit you
now see that you arc not, and that you
! cannot live without u.s." And the wo.
men-with that angelic sweetness that
has always been characteristic of women,
even before they had held a single
convention" answered: "Your words
are true. We will hearken to you
evermore." And they came together
once more in peace aud amity, under
the new understanding, that cali powers
not specially delegates were reserved :"
And this appears to be the origin of the
subjection Of women.-.Sunday Mcws.