Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-03-27
FEMALE SOVEREIGNTY.
BY l. DIV. G.

BY L. DIV. G.
",Tis government that makes them seem
divine."- Shakespedre's Henry ".
The number of aims of persons is known
only by the number of persons. The num-
: Der of ideas is infinitely greater. Each in
dividual has an individual aim, and ideas
concerning az individual thing. 1t is this
liberty of thought, therefore, that allows
us to present our views on the subject at
hand 1t is not only needless, but useless
to attempt setting forth plea in favor of
Women's Rights--a subject long siuce ex-
hausted and tlreful to the community
we only present few thoughts upon the
fitness of women for sovereignty, as well
as for other spheres of life.
Among the questions of the day none
have received greater share of controver-
sly than questions concerning the equality
of women with men. If women are not
good companions for men unless they are
mems equals, then it must be the right of
woman to reign as man does. Still, how
ever, there is difference OF opinion as to
whether women ought or ought not to be
I entrusted with the executive government
of a country. The question depends not
so much on her ability to rule as upon the
ACCESSIBILITY of trusting to female care the
right to rule If, in complicated system
of society the rule ola woman be tolerated
as a necessary evil Tor the pupose of avoid
ing worse evils arising from civil commo-
tons or otherwise-then it remains ques-
ton how far the feminine character may be
so modified by education as to render its
defects as little injurious to the land she is
TO Govern, and as little hurtful to herself as
possible.
Semiramis Is recorded as the first female
who ever held the reins OF government, and
next, after her, Nitocris. The very remote
ness of these two queens buries them in the
past, yet their names have been so repeat
ed from age to age. and their exploits so
frequently alluded to, that they are gener-
ally accepted as great sovereigns and fully
competent to reign. Cleopatra stands in
contrast with the former While of Semir-
amis little is known, Cleopatra stands
before us vivid reality. As woman she
claims no respect nor sympathy. AS
s sovereign she made no great conquests nor
\ left any magnificent monuments Of her
\ power; yet neither disprove her ability to
1 govern If she unjustly obtained the king
4 dom, we must remember that the wisest
andmost successful sovereigns have ruled
+ through usurpation, If she was ambitious,
I vain and perverse, we must remember that
J she had been educated ut corrupt court !;
moreover, she was fond oflearning, patron
lied learned men, benevolent, energetic and
concerted her measures with such wisdom
that she called forth the admiration of
every foreign court and we must ackuow-
ledge her capability to rale. There are few
exceptions from the time of Semiramis to
Victoria. Perhaps no power ever was
swayed with more benefit than that of
Elizabeth. She was made to rule, and,
though often yielding TO the passions of
love and vanity she chose such ministers,
abetted such expeditions into the literary
and scientific world and so forwarded the
spirit of discovery and legitimate conquest,
that the Elizabethan period will forever
remain famous.
In ancient times, and indeed in our time,
many a one has existed who has shown
enough strength of character to be made a
ruler. vet who has never become a regent
in the strict sense of the word.
Among tbs striking features of the pres
ent age, there is none more obvious, nor
more important than the social elevation of
woman. Her true position is found to be
the centre of the domestic circle--love her
Observation-Disclosures, her magic wand-af-
lection, her gift-happiness, her dover
In pagan lands, it is true, she is still slave,
while in many half.civiized countries, tho
somewhat raised in scale of humanity, she
is still lower than the sphere in which
Providence designed her to move. What
ever right the Ruler fthe Universe allows,
ought to become the Law of man to do. If
therefore, Christianity has exalted her vir-
tues, ennobled her reason. and shed a halo
of light around her life, adding dignity tc
her nature and Influence to her sway, then
it is mans moral duty to elevate woman in
whatever land her true position is not rec
ognzed. 1t is the glory of modern times
that woman is no longer the abject, despis.
ed being that she was, but is exalted to q
station corresponding to her high destiny.
OF late years much attention has beer
paid to female education in this country
Some say that women are becoming to'
learned; they do not like learned women