Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-02-07

Mr.. Henry c. Fender, in the January
Manhattan, has an admirable article on
Woman i'll Modern Civilization, for
which all women -hould thank him.
Among other good and hopeful things
he says
Remove arbitrary and unwise limita-
tons, and we shall very scon sec how
little there is in the hackneyed argu-
ment based on the supposed disadyan-
tages of woman emotional and ner-
vous temperament. While it is true
that woman is more emotional than
man, and possesses in q larger degree
the nervous force which produces ex-
citability. it does not follow that she is
therefore unfit for the serious business
of lie. For it must be remembered
that this
EMOTIONAL AND NERVOUS FORCE
against which so much is said is really
an excellent thing if properly directed.
The only difficulty at present is that
this nervous force is wasted in the
wrong direction, and woman inclines 10
"a peculiar neurotic condition called
the hysterical, because she is not en-
equilibrium which counteracts the ex-
rlosiyc tendency. Having been treated
for centuries as if she required no
stronger diet than the tlimsy superb
cialities of life, it is not to be wondered
at if she exhibits this neurotic condi-
ton in a marked degree. Indeed,
when we consider how great have been
the disadvantages under which woman
has labored, and how restricted have
been her opportunities, the only won
der is that she is not even more fully
creature Of specifically and unhealthy
nervous excitement BY strange in
consistency and peryersity of reasoning
we ignore
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS
of "a noble woman. and are content to
see the sex to which God has given the
sacred function of potential mother
hood, simply instances of ARRESTED
development. Strangely enough we
continue TO regard woman mere as
an ovcrgroWn child, ana in our shall
lowness of estimate ignore the impor-
tant truth that the only school of gem
uine moral sentiment is society be-
tween equals. We have had the NOR
ality of submission and the morality Of
chIyalry and generosity; the time is
now come for the morality Of justice.
Rejecting with disdain the miserably
mean estimate which makes it appear
that woman was created mans intel
lectual inferior, let rs SO enlarge her
sphere and so increase her opportunities
that she can have Il fair chance to speak
for herself, and we may be assured that
if this principle is carried ont the FAM
lily 50 constituted would be the real
schoo, for theyirtues OF wisdom. Give
us wiser and nobler women and we
shall very soon see how rapidly society
will become purcr and more beautiful,
and the foundations be more surely and
securely laid.
A NEW ORDER or THINGS.
We are, it is to be hoped, entering
into an order of things in which justice
will again be the primary virtue. And
as we endeayor to anticipate the conse-
queuccs which are likely to fol ow, one
thing stands out pre-eminentiy clear
amid, the mists OF doubts and uncer-
tain,y This fact consists in the abso-
Iule certainty with Whlcn
AN EXORABLE LAW
connects progress and the elevation of
woman. It is in the very nature of
things that the two conditions should
be in,crdopendcnt And any attempt
to deny the supreme importance of
woman's higher development and
larger uScfu .ne-s IS an impedment TO
our advancement and is retrogressive
rather than a progressive movement.
On tne other hand, BY recognizing
woman's higher claims, we place our
selves in harmony with tn demands of
reason and move forward, ever resist
lessly advancing, ami measuring our
steps to the music of a hopeful con-
seriousness of strength and healthy
morality We may depend upon it,
THE QUESTION or WoMAN's INTELLECT
IAL,
moral and industrial value is not one
to be evaded with impunity. Escape
from it we cannot; and it therefore be-
hooves us to throw all our energy and
intelligence into the problem which IS
of such vital Importance. For we must
remember that the life of society, like
the life OF the individual, is of mixed
nature. In part, we are governed by
the impulses Of ourselves and others; in
part, we are under the memorable do
minion of law. AS time wears on, and
we become more familiar with the logic
of events and the regular sequence OF
cause and effect, we gradually learn
that the majesty Of the moral law com
pels our recognition; and we also dis
cover that the discipline and restraints
Of social life are legitimately onthe side
of virtue.
A FRENCHl1AN or ENGLISH WOMEN.
One Max O'Rell has recently written
q book on John Bull and His Island,
which contains a good many things
which ought to interest American la
dies. Some Of them are here reprint
ed .-having special reference to Eng
fish femininity.
English women are remarkable Tor
their fresh complexions, their decided
and fearless gait, and the length of
their feet, which reminds one that
twelve inches 90 TO the foot in Eng
land. Impossible to make Ja1tr pas