Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-03


faintest shadow of an insult, and this idea
of importing the European plan Of making
it not respectable for any young woman to
appear in public anywhere without a cha
peron is obnoxious TO them, since it
implies suspicion, distrust and espion-
age, and to suggest such weakness
of character, Ignorance, and innate depravlty
as can only be controlled by constant watch
ing. 1t does not seem to occur to those who
seem so anxious to enforce this restriction
of caste upon the social code of this country
that they thereby imply that the
morals and manners of people of wealth are
SO bad that to protect and preserve their
daughters from misconstruction, scandal,
and perhaps insult, it is a matter of neces-
sity that they should never appear in public
without chaperon, maid or man-serv-
ant, as is the style in Spain and France, and
Europe generally. But these should re-
member that no more moral, refined or en-
lightened nation exists upon the globe than
the United States, where millions of women
never even dream of the necessity of chap
eron to preserve them until husband claims
them in marriage as "blushing roses" rather
than ''high-headed sunflowers" In no
country in the world are women less liable
to insult than In our own. In Spain, in
France, in Germany, where the "chaperon
idea" prevails most largely, no woman can
walk the streets without danger of being
molested or insulted, unless she has money
enough to hire servant to accompany her.
In this country, where "chaperons'' are an
innovation, and an attempt to establish
caste, girl who conducts herself properly
is as sale alone, as if she had dozen
duennas dancing attendance upon her. In
Continental Europe, where the education of
girls is conducted on the plan of seclusion
and surveillance, where chaperons are
looked upon as certificates of character,
where women of the higher classes have
none of
THE PRIVILEGES OF FREEDOM
until married, and not to any large
extent then, unless the husband so
chooses, or is Indifferent, the state of
society," as shown in books = the pic
lures of the times-is not distinguished by
the highest virtue. French novels show a
condition of morals and manners among the
higher classes as can hardly be found in this
country among the lowest of the low. Men
there, by the force OF example and education,
become imbued with the idea that chivalry,
Difference, decency need only be shown to
women of their own class, while all others
may be insulted at pleasure. American
women who have travelled in Europe give
full testimony as to the boorish rudeness of
be gentlemen-as it is manifested to
strangers, and ladies without escorts, and
never cease thanking Heaven that American
men are not "as other men air, either as to
morals or manners.
When Sister Dahlgren or other persons
insist that chaperon Is essential to the !
protection of young girls from misconstruc-
tion, hazard of good name, and risk of |
scandal they cast slur upon the millions |
of the grandmothers and mothers of the |
land who have lived. and loved, and mar
rIed and never thought of chaperon as |
essential to keep them straight. They re-
fleet upon the purity and virtue of the
many young women who go bravely out |
into the world and work their own way in |
the professions, and trades, and otner pur-
suits in order to maintain themselves and |
those dependent upon them.
Moreover this European plan in its dis
trust and suspicion would imply that |
American men had become so demoralized, |
that only the presence of a chaperon or
duenna could prevent their taking advant-
age of the "artless, guileless innocence" of
their wards in a manner that might subject |
them to the hazard of misconstruction, or
possibly scandal.
The American girl who has been brought |
up to freedom, independence and self-re- |
novation. 1t is system founded on sus-
picion, and begets lying and intrigue elope- |
ments and hasty, ill-coasidered marriages.
A GIRLS BEST FRIEND.
A good mother is a daughters best friend |
and confdant. She is wise and thoughtful |
and careful over her daughters best inter-
ests, even though she may not be sitting up /
In the solemn grandeur of her best black |
q q n x.,ha
pany her daughter keeps. She is aware of
all that is going on, and has confidence that
her child will not disgrace her training, or !
swerve, under any Circumstances, from the
principles of right she has so deeply i'm
pressed upon her miad.
1t is the merely fashionable and frivolous
beings who are engaged in the sale of Young
girls to the highest bidders, who take to
this European system of keeping them
under guard until an eligible with suffi-
cient cash can be secured to purchase the
artless, guileless beings, and thus take
them off their hands. 1t is simply a slavish
of foreign fashion to prepare
American girls Tor the Hatzfeldts, and
and Marlboroughs of the for
eign markets, whose sins are condoned by
silly women for the sake of their titles.
The righteousness of the chaperon bust
ness is shown by the fact that any woman is
eligible for the Office who is married, be she
ever so wild and disposed herself to ruu
against the proprieties. Most people have
seen cases where the chaperon by her ex-
ample encouraged the infraction OF good
form, and was the leader in all that was
harum scarum and against the rules of de-
corum.
The fact is that this European idea is SIM
ply not plan for the protection of Young
girls, but is only an endeavor to set up
restriction Of caste such as exists in Europe.
where the favorite idea as to women is Sc
clusion, surveillance and subordination.
Such system cannot flourish in this land
Of freedom. The American girl prides her
self upon her selfreliance and her ability to
take care of herself. 1t is stated that in
Mexico no Mexican young girl can walk the
streets unattended without being insulted,
Dut American girls can do just as they do
1t home, and the Mexican does not dare to
noest her in any way. He knows better,
The world would lose great deal OF fun
# there were no "snobs." But among the
many OF these who are found in society none
excite more hilar1ty than Mrs. Blank, who
1ilates on the danger to reputation of a girl
yoing anywhere without "'shappyrone -
when she herself before marriage used to
work early and late in a factory, and had
never felt the need of guide or protector.
Ind who went to the circus, and to church,
Ind to Halloween parties alone with John.
while her mother stayed contentedly at
nome with seven children and darned the
stockings for the family, never dreaming
here was anything in their being together
,ither wrong or dangerous.
BESSIE BRAMBLE.
American Art
Exemplifed on pitchers. Successfully