Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-07-15
soon NJ OF MEMPHIS.

THE GOOD WOMEN OF MEMPHIS.
We publish 10 another column an article
under the above head from the journal Of
Education, published at Boston. The tribute
10 the women Of Memphis is well dsssrvrd,
for there i. no city in all this broad Union,that
can boast of "a much female talent and Uss-
fulpess in proportion to population, as Mem
phis. In literary culture and ambition they
excel the men. 1t used TO be 8 rare occur
renee for a female TO write for the APPEAL,
DOW most Of the communication on literary,
charitable, scientific and the practical cub
j.cts Of the day emanate from the women Of
Memphis. Miss L. Virginia Smith, who
afterward became Mrs. French, first attract
ed the attention Of the country to the female
talent of Memphis, as it was through the
columns OF the APPEAL her genius was first
developed. Mrs. E. A. Meria ether has a
national reputation as a talented speaker
aud writer, and many who have derided
her for daring to engage in
the discussion Of the cruel tyranuies to which
her sex were subjected, and all other ques-
tions that concerned the general public, are
nov conspicuous in initiating her example,
rejecting the light which she had kindled,
and to see burning 10 a bright and beautiful
blaze, has been the dream Of her life. With
a heart warm with love for her down-trod-
den sex, and with the gift to set glorious
thoughts to the thrilling music Of eloquent
wordS, she has educated her sex TO plead not
for the right of suffrage, but freedom from
| the injustice which had so long dwsrfed
women and deprived them of their natural
and inalienable rights before the law. The
clouds Of centuries Of ignorance which have
so long grown in the poisonous atmosphere
Of cruelty and injustice, and which had
crushed the valor end pride from
woman's heart, have been dispelled.
once in a while the voice of
Mrs. Meriwether is heard, but the music
is get TO higher keys, for she no longer de-
spairs of justice TO her sex. The article
which we publish from the Boston Journal Of
Education, it will be seer, compliments the
charity, the prom nsRce Of the Memphis
women in coed works. The tendency of the
times is TO shirk Unpleasant responsibilities.
! But here in Memphis the women have shown
: that what Washington Irving said is true
: "Thst there is in every womsn's heart a spark
/. Of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the
| broad daylight of prosperity, but which
kindles up and beams and blszes in the dark
I hour Of adversely" Mrs. J. q. johnson,
who died a few months since, left behind her
a fame more enviable than the canoniz-d
hero who climbed TO eminence on the pyra-
mid built by the skulls of his
slain victims. Her noble heart was
exuberant with charity, and her hands
we're prodigal in deeds. She was a shining
, example of the perfect woman. After the
I men had failed TO raise the necessary means
to build the Nash Library, the women Of
Memphis took charge of the enterprise, and
are lab2ring with a zeal worthy OF success.
Mrs. Annie Burke, president OF the Ladies'
Association, and the %exemplar of all The
acter, is doing much row, rs she has always
done, to justify the tribute which our Boz
ton contemporary pays to the women Of
Memphis. The APPEAL has heretofore ex.
pressed similar view 10 those uttered by thii
Boston journal 10 regard to school teachers
and the prices paid them, especially
female teachers. The same pay fol
the same labor is right, it i
just, and any discrimination is a wrons
and outrage. Good teachers can only b.
secured by paying living salaries. Ii is il
teschiog IS in every other professionally
beat pay commands the highest grade O
talent and the most effective labor. If Their
be one profession, which by reason If it
honorable position or its exacting demand
upon brain and ability, should be we'll paid
il is that Of teaching the young. In matter
of political import thousands Of dollars ar
willingly and lavishly expended, but whei
the education Of the peoples children be
comes the question the custom now appear
to be TO secure the cheapest teachers for tn
least money, and whenever there is de
mand for economy the teachers are the frs
aud the last to suffer by reduction. Men d
MT look for cheap lawyers to conduct i'm
portant litigation; they do not want chea
doctors 10 wait upon the sick, nor do the
seek professional services among those VIII
are making The proft ssion a stepping stone t
something alse, and who, they know, expeC
in a short while 10 abandon it for merchar
dising or manufacturing. Everywhere, saw
in the school-room, the dem and is, as
should be, for the developed results {
special training, natural adaptation an
long practice. But those who control edncs
tional matters are suicidally ~contentin
themselves with unframed teachers in i'm
portant places, who are using this occups
lion as a means to some Interior and geuer
ally lees worthy end; they are measurin
the services, grading the bonors and emoiu
ments of professional teachers, TO accommc
date such teachers and such teaching, thu
placing a premium upon retiring 9
soon as possible to som more re
muneralive and respected field. Unfortur
ately others in the control of education al
placing it upon the level of the polio
force and similar occupations in whic
the chief test Of efficiency lies rather 10 muE
Gle Than in brain. The schools, instead c
progressing toward a grand maximum
dignity and perfection, are becoming asylum
for INDECENT men and women, refugees fc
people who fail of success in lees worth
3 occupations. Teaching is on a par viii
the highest Of occupations, and there is, j
saying this, no naturalization of the sacre
ministry, protesting as it does the s~alvatio
of souls, for in teaching the young the soul
fertile soil is laid open to the first seed sowr
if thorns and thisiles be scattered broadcas
if ranoor and hatred be implanted, it mu'
be 3 powerful preacher indeed who can roc
them out.