The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-11-04

their work-a-day lives. To them is
commended the words of Carlyle: "All
true work is sacred; in all true work,
We're II but true hand-labor, there is
something of divineness. But there is
distinction to be made between the
woman-laborer and the man-laborer:
the woman deserves the greater consid-
eratlon-and the fact that, all over the
world, she is winning it, is proof that it
should be so. 1t is certain that in q
normal condition of society, man should
90 the bread-winning work. But as
the accidents of life develop many alb
normal conditions, it so happens that
many women are forced to shift for them
selves. AS there is no possible preventive
Tor these accidents of fate, it is there
lore incumbent upon all who have
lever that may be used, to force open
every door that will admit women to
labor-room and opportunity. Society
owes her this, and with it. the special
honor that should be extended one who,
though born with the right to a happier
estate, finds that estate unattainable,
ard, with brave heart, bends to the
labor-yoke. The world is coming to
TINS view. Bars against the employ
ment OF women are falling away every
where. With each succeeding day
some new opportunity invites her The
great universities are no longer forbid
ding, and SO great has been the advance
IN sentiment that not only have the
spheres for her employment been null
uplied, but she is also accorded greater
facilities for preparing herself to do
work IN the best way. This enlarge
ment OF woman's labor-privileges does
not mean that the world is urging wo-
men to work, but that it is willing she
should work to the best personal advan-
tage when she finds herself called there
To- The recent action of the United
States Secretary of the Treasury in per
mlttlng n woman to command q river
steamer Is Il demonstration of the spirit
of the times. IIomen mast be dU0wed
10 try! This is Civilizations latest
mandate. Thus far she seems to fail in
nothing. save in those things in which
merely muscular force is the essential
factor Possibly the time will never
come when women will bear muskets in
battle, but who shall say that in the wars
OF the future she will not be cpaulettcd?
Thus when we contemplate women
IN the light of the new era@ow
stlsngely does the idea of ''pifying pat
| ronage' strike the mind 1t is the Wo-
man who works who can afford to be
serene. She enjoys the security that
lies in profitable accomplishments, the
solace that comes from the conscious
ness of earning. the citation that springs
from duties fulfilled. The only patron.
age she needs is that which will give
her hands Or mind something to do,
The writer quoted at the outset o.
this article also says: The spirit which
places u bar in the way of weA bred,
well-cducat6d and earnest woman, be
cause she earns her own bread, must be
exercised True; but let us have nj
the bars down, even against those who
may he under-bred, (what is the stand
ard of breeding?) uneducated, yet earn
est. Let the cNorcism be general. Let
it not fail to better the lives of every
woman who works. But let us hot bt
|
to above, has in mind the bars thai
guard the avenues TO so-called ''higl
society,"" meaning thereby that sOcia
aggregation which includes only those
who need to labor, then it is not wOrtl
while to undertake the exorcism, foI
such bars are OF no consequence. UpQs
those upper social levels, par excellence
the most inviting. there is a fraternity
OF the worthicst to which all may aspire
and where recognition, when once oh
.aincd, has in 1t both a compensation
and a consolation, against which NJ
'-pitying patronage may prevail.
Therefore, "Hats-otf" to the womel
who work! 1t would be idle TO urg
them to lift up their heads, for thei
heads are already uplifted. They ART
helping the world onward and upward
They are, with each new adventure
contributing to progress. They 81
bringing a healthful and quickenin!
presence into commercial, artistic me
chanical and professional life. The,
are acqIitting themselves happily il
every vocation into which they enter
Showing, as they do. admirable discrim
nation as to pursuits in which they ma
aspire to compete, they are giving n
cause Of complaint.
MAY they continue to
'Taste the jon
That springs from labor"
g. c. MdiileWS. M The Current.