The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-04-18
READY-MADE CLOTHING.
White Br others.
Wonlan's Sphere.
(LoWndeSrille AduertiSer.)


Our laws and customs have led lis
into two extremes as regards woman
as a 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 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, and as a consumer she adds
nothing to the world. Her contribu-
tions are of worthless kind, and her
influence upon society is damaging to
her sex.
The other extreme into which we
have fallen, is to make woman bur-
den-bearer, without giving her any
thing like an equivalent in return.
Large numbers of women in this fair
land of ours, with all of our "tonyn
views as to her being q sa0ect little pet,
are worked to death at the wash-tub,
the cook stove, the loom, the wheel,
the scwing-machins, 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 pittance as remun-
Grafton.
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 services rendered, as man, when
she does her work as we'll as he. Why
not?
Is there anything in the divine law
forbdding this? There is certainly
nothing. If a woman can clerk as
we'll as man, if she can book-keep,
telegraph, act as q cashier, superin-
tendent, or president with as much
ability as a man, and any individual
or corporation wants woman's SER
vices, then they ought to pay her the
same wages they would give man.
This would be q substantial token
of woman's worth and of mans real
professed regard. Whatever she can
do as well as man, let her have mans
approval, and encouragement in doing
it.
Such laws and customs looking to
the realization of such state of af-
fairs, would be civilizing and increase
the sacred ties and tangible results of
true Christianity.
If she 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? o, this, says man, would ell
danger that purity aud lessen that
honor. She would soon become con-
taminated.
I am free to say, do not believe it.
have too much confidence in the SOL
idity 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 reformation is to begin.
l believe if woman were recognized
as mans equal, at every point where
she is his equal, and were allowed to
exercise the positive side Of her char
acter and life, as the acknowledged
superior in purity and honor, as she is
in the home, then, we would begin to
see the worldwide Improvements not
only at the fire-side, but in the social,
intellectual. political 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 brutality, and more public spirit,
heroism, and romance in public af-
fairs"
I 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 qualification for suf-
frage, both for men and women, the
inlet of an influence that would ex-
pose fraud, condemn crime, abolish
drunkenness, lessen vulgarity and inn
prove humanity.