The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-04-26
Woman's Sphere.

Our laws and customs have led us into
two extremes as regards woman as
worker.
/ One extreme is for her not to work at
all, if she is able to keep from.it.
She is in this capacity considered as
only a being Of fashion, to primp and
dress and appear as an ornament for
somebody to look at. In this sphere she
is quite burden for some one to carry,
aud as consumer she adds nothing to the
world. Her contributions are ofa worth.
less kind, and her influence upon society
is damaging to her sex.
The other extreme into which we have
fallen, is to make woman burden.bear.
er, without giving her anything like an
equivalent in return. Large numbers of
women in this fair land of ours, with all
of our tony" views as to her bring sweet
little pet, are worked to death at the wash
tub, the cook stove. the loom, the wheel,
the sewing.machine, and behind the
counter, and that with little or no pay.
There are large establishments all over
the country, to say nothing of the private
houses, where they are worked from early
dawn until late at night, with but a pit.
tance as remuneration.
They will give man full pay for what
he does, and then dispose Of the poor
woman's case by giving her half pay for
equal services rendered.
This is done, and yet we boast Of our
Christianity, and our sacred esteem for
woman. I claim that woman is worthy
of as good pay, as much regard for servi.
ces rendered, as man, when she does her
work as we'll as he. Why not?
Is there anything in the divine law for
bidding this? There is certainly stEng.
If q woman can clerk as we'll as a mSi, if
she can .book.keep, telegraph, act as a
cashier, superintendent, or president with
as much ability as o man, and any indi-
vidual or corporation wants woman's
servicest, hen they ought to pay her the
same wages they would give man.
This would be substantial token of
noman's worth and of mans real profess.
ed regard. Whatever she can do as we'll
as man, let her have man'sapproval, and
encouragement in doing it,.
Such laws and customs looking to the
realization of such state ofafairs, would
be civilizing and increase the sacred ties
and tangible results of true Christianity.
Ifshe can vote as intelligently as man,
and become controlling factor in the
political world, with all of her purity and
honor, then tell me, why she should not
be endowed with the right? 0, this, says
man, would endanger that purity and
lessen that honor. She would soon bs:
come contaminated.
am free to say, do not believe it. l
have too much con6dencein the aolidity
of her virtue, to believe that it is too
weak to bear such test. We talk about
the corruption of politics-the tricks and
strategems of men-and we deplore the
situation, and wonder where the reforma.
tion is to begin.
I believe if women were recognized as
mans equal, and were allowed to exercise
the positive side of her character and
life, as the acknowledged superior in
purity and honor, as she is in the home,
then, we would begin to see the world.
wide improvements not only at the fire.
side, but in the social, intellectual polit-
ical and religious walks of life.
Mr.. Beecher said: "You that live long
enough will see women vote, and women
voting, you will see less lying, less bru.
tality, and more public spirit, heroism,
and romance in public affairs"
believe he is right. If woman had
her equal rights with man, you would
soon see her womanly impress upon the
character of the world. There would
soon be q qualification for suffrage, both
for men and women, the inlet Of an infu-
ence that would expose fraud, condemn
crime, abolish drunkenness, lessen vulgar.
ity and improve humanity.-LoaondesuiAe
Aduertiser.