The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-01-30
To the Mississippi Legislature of
1854

Society is full Of women who might and
should have made successes Of their lives,
but whom every one recognizes rs failures.
They have made efforts TO be and DO what
they ought TO, but lack of practical knowl-
edge crippled their energies, aad like the
lmld soldier, who throws down his arms
70 the foe, they surrender 10 their fate, As
they regard it. Who cannot look into their
faces and trace the induces OF lost oppor.
unities, plans unachieved, hopes crushed.
SEPARATIONS unfuldlled. and all caused from
want of business education. Now and
hen we take note Of some woman. born
with an oyerplus of energy aud courage.
standing ont from the crowd. who lahors
earnestly, steadily, and stubhoruly TO III
erself for a business life Such a woman
Is this rarely fails, but how few-sadly
'ay 1t, how few-there are OF these valiant
'pirits. Women have naturally little cor
idence IN their capacities fer earning a
livelihood, and much less where they feel
heir ignorance of the work required of
hens We women of Mississippi appeal
then to the Legislature of 1884 to lend a
land and help us out of this slough of
ignorance and dependency. Give us a
chool where women can be educated for
eaehers, where they can be Taught all Il g
lighter trades and professions, and do we
,sk too much when we include some Of the
arts!
In all these women have achieved sue.
'esses. Are You men of Mississippi, and
ave you souls that can say us nay whom
We ask TO be enabled to earn our daily
'read' Some men will say LET women stay
It home and be dependent upon their IA.
hers, brothers, or husbands. This is very
veil If all are so fortunate as to have these
relatives or protectors, but what is 10 be-
,ome of the girl that has neither' Do you
now how many Of the delicate, refined
women Of your State are wearing their
ives out over the machine, earning the
nerest pittancei Have any of you ever
cad Hooos Song Of the Shirt" II you
nave, then you know that he was man
nd didn't tell half that there was TO be
old-of headache, backache, tired hands
md shoulders, sure forerunners OF diseases
hat are TO make tlgesgrS,!d age a. burden to
hem. Do you know how many Of our wo-
nen are teachers in the public schools of
our State, and how poorly paid they are
their Rrduous hbors often remunerated
With paltry warrants that many of their
ounties are unable to redeem, and this
appreciated paper they are compelled to
ell TO spectators and capitalists for
mere pittanco.
l know of ono high spirited public
chool teacher, who has abandoned her pro-
ession. and hired herself to a refined fam
~, as house-keeper and considers herself
ortunate in the exchange. | know of sew
raj young ladies of excellent natural in
diligence, who work in the fields for a liv-
ng. Is this a new idea to you, that of our
'elicate Southern women working in com
'etition with the able bodied negro of the
otton feldsg After we tell you this, will
you say to us nay, when we ask for Free
ollege for Women where they can be in
tructed in such branches Of business rs to
'nable them to earn an honorable and indie
pendent liyingS If our appeals to you are
il vair, Away! Away, we say! with our
leas OF Southern chivalrv. and generous
manly spir that was want t. hearken to the
aintest cry of the poor and needy. Away
With all recollections Il the years between
> II and '65, when our women stood in your
iopitals, binding up your CHASTITY wounds,
praying for the dying, ministering to the
needs of the convalescents, whispering
words of comfort and encouragement to
he weak-hearted, and with hands on
your hearts imparting new courage
70 you, fighting for our Southern land.
Can you forget thisY Can we forget
What our Southern men were TO us then,
md the hero worship we gave thems That
We can, if in place of this noble, gener-
Gus spirit that We Southern women so love,
comes a parsimonious, niggardly grip on
the purse-strings of the State. You are
Ill familiar with the parable of the widow
and the unjust judge. Well, you grant our
request-lest by our continued coming we
weary your A Kinds County WOMAN.