The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-25
The Age of Disenthralment.
Memphis Appeal

Memphis Appeal
If the advocates of woman's advance
ment and emancipation from the old
thraldom of custom and prejudice feel
in want of encouragement, let them
make themselves acquainted with what
has been done in the course of the last
fifty years. As the years have one by
one entered their solemn record upon the
pages of history, each has had some
thing to tell of some shred of past wrong
left behind, some step in the coming
communication won, and won never to
be surrendered. 4 recently published
work has enumerated the victories that
have been successfully gained so far, and
the wonders that have been accom-
plished, the mighty dash forward that
has been made are Indeed great. Only
those who have now wrinkled brows
and silvered hair can well drink in all
that distinguishes the position woman
occupies to-day, compared with what
they may remember, can fully grasp in
and appreciate all that has been done.
Good and brave women, women who
dared ridicule and met mockery and
ieeriug with unruffled temper, and faced
cowardly opposition by a boldness that
never forgot modesty, and dctermina-
ton that never cast off the garb OF gen
tleness, began and have carried on the
great work, and let man plume himself
on his victories as he may, never has he
wrought wonders more profound than
weak, shrinking, tender, but resolute,
patient and persevering women have
done. Not alone in our own land and
in England and on the European conti-
nent have the doors of universities and
colleges and medical and law schools
been opened to women, but even in the
Orient struggling beams of light have
reached the very harem and Mohamme-
dan women, creatures to whom the
prophet denied souls, have so trod upon
several of the old customs, and pushed
to extreme the few privileges al
lowed them, that again and again
the spiritual and civil authorities
have published rebuke and threat, but
spite of all the Mohammedan women
are pushing their way toward liberty.
Nowhere have women gained more than
in Austrian Hungary. They have a
voice in the municipal, provincial and
national elections, casting their vote,
however, by the hand of an authorized
male citizen, as they prefer that way to
personally attending the polls. In Aus
tria the women are eligible to certain
offices. The Town Coucil of Agram has
woman a member. The Bohemian
Municipal Assembly includes count
ess among its dignitaries. In Russia
also women take part in the election Of
municipal and provincial assemblies,
and women have access to the medical
lectures and are doctors in the univer-
sities. In Spain and Portugal not much
has been done as yet. Ninety per cent
of the Portuguese women can neither
read nor write. Yet a certain amount
of medical study is allowed in obstetrics,
with corresponding practice, under
male oversight, however. No married
Portuguese lady can publish what she
may write unless authorized by her hus-
band. Italy is advancing; their women
take degrees at the university, and a
bill is before Parliament to admit them
members of the municipal and provin-
eial councils At Copenhagen women
can take university degrees, but Den
mark keeps its women and their prop
erty within the husbands control. In
Sweden women are admitted into the
university, allowed to vote on the same
terms as the men for the choice Of the
parish clergy. municipal councillors and
electors, In France, Belgium and Hol-
land, women can enter the universities,
but have no political rights; nor even
in Switzerland, though education there
is very liberal. Germany, with all its
scholarships, is behind for All prejudi-
ces and harsh customs restrain ameliora.
tion. Heidelberg and Leipsic universe
ties are open to them, but only after
severe examination. AS with the feel.
ing about slavery, that for increasing
the liberties Of women seems to float IN
the air and enter the breath and blood
Its influence is felt even where there il
little conscious idea. The spirit OF the
age' and the providence Of God is in ii
and it cannot be subdued.