The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-02-04
OUR WOMEN.


immense advantages which have been ac-
corded TO the women Of our county in the
matter OF education and other privileges which
make them, MS they deserve to be, the equal
Of the other sex in all that apper,ains to do
nestle, social and business life. II is one OF
the evidences Of progressiveness Of the age in
the right direction, the blessings Of which can
not be too highly appreciated and estimated.
When we see that women can vote upon
school and other questions with as much in
intelligence and less boisterousness than men,
il Is a circumstance which establishes the JUS
tice Of such privileges being extended to the
women OF the country. Besides, when women
can pass high standard Of examination be-
fore college professors in all branches Of the
curriculum Of college course, it is further evil
dence that a thorough college education Of the
sexes must ere long become fixed fact in the
colleges of this county
When foreigners travelling here observe, as
Herr Lasker is said TO have done, that "the
women are much better educated than the
men" though the statement may be a surprise
to many Of our readers, yet, upon a careful
observation to those who are inclined to ex-
anime this matter, It will be found to be cor
rect This distinguished German politician
did not say that the women were the best edu
Gated people, or even the best educated
Americans he had met, but his statement as
made is entirely capable Of demonstration.
Our women are more general readers than the
men, who, Tor the most part, are absorbed in
money making and money getting, and thus
the former are the gamers OF that general in
formation which gives them the precedence.
When il comes to the discussion upon topics
connected with the social and intellectual
rather than The material, development OF the
country, strangers are impressed with the fact
that the women are more capable Of credit
ably acquitling themselves OF such occasions
than men.
Away from the great cities, where cultivated
men are more or less specialists in culture,
and taking the mass Of the people who apt
to coneregate at the summer and seaside
resorts, and in towns Of from 10, 900 to $4,000
people. it is not an exaggeraton to say that n
foreigner of culture would find five women TO
one man with whom it would be possible for
him to discuss the subj cts in which he would
be interested. While a few OF the book
worms, notably learned clergymen Of the large
cites OF towns, seem to have a more real
knowledge and appreciation Of English litera-
ture, and a more definite sense OF values in
continental literature, and OF the lighter letters
Of France and Germany, strangers ind at least
an equal number Of women who are able to
respond intelligently upon al such topics, and
every year adds to their number. The appre-
citation Of differences in music and culture in
the more refined accomplishments of the
times is not only widely spread among our
women, but almost exclusively confined to
them.
1T is possible" says a contemporary, chat
n majority even of the urban population Of the
United States have never so much as seen a
good building, good picture or a good
statue, let alone having locked at such things
with the desire to admire, which is the be-
ginning Of all culture in the sense Of which
Herr Lasker or any other cultivated European
uses that word" yet it will be found that our
country people, especially women, are every
year by intercourse aud interchange adding to
their stock OF knowledge, thus giving this
country the reputation OF being the fsrmost in
rank among the nalonali,ies OF the earth.
The reason why the women surpass the
men in the respects 10 which we have referred
is happily expressed in the suggestion that, as
for the ordinary American business man he
takes no interest in anything that
does not promise him dollars and
CONTEMPORARY RENTS Couture" to
the female members OF the family" II our
women use these Advantages wisely and judi
ciously, as there is no doubt they can and will
whenever they can upon their associates, in
their homes and in the circles where they
move, their power and Influence will increase
in the Improvement Of society and the
Strengthening of those qualities, which as the
director and moulder OF sound morals and
social and political virtues they possess in this
free land, as compared with other and older
N( a.
vantage ground in the field of competition in
every department which puts the sterner sex
10 a dispsrsgine disadvantage in the estima-
ton of intelligent observers who come to
study. the habits, manners and customs of eur
people, we would that our women should re-
member the responsibilities Of these advan-
tages, and cultivate them to the adornment
and happness Of the homes over which so
many Of them have the privilege to preside.