The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-21
woman's Rights.

Woman certainly has rights. soul hal
been given her to keep. to train, to be hel
guide and treasure. She cannot part with 1t
she cannot make another responsible for it.
acts. In this sense she stands alone and in
dependent. She must be wise for herself
she must speak and act for herself.
OF course then she has rights that none
ought to dispute. What these rights are may
be easily discovered by the understanding
that is given us, and the revealed will Of the
iiver That woman has right to enjoy
cultivate and strengthen the immortal powers
given her, none will deny. Nay MORE 1t |:
her duty to prize her immortal nature. and
care for its wants. God is not well pleased
to have the smallest talent buried in napkin
he always rewards the effort to increase its
power. He loves and blesses the desire fol
wisdom; and to woman as we'll as to man. he
has given the right to seek it, and to improve
all her talents. She may cultivate her reas.
oning powers, her Imagination and all the
nne tastes that are so b0untifully given tC
9 6less and adorn humanity to the utmost
She has a right to be as refined, wise and
good as she pleases And when she stands
before us, thellearned, accomplished and vir.
tuous woman, she has the right also to be as
influential and powerful as she can be.
But how shall she exert her powerp Shall
pitch. be. heard vociferating weighty
her trembling form be seen In our courts 81
justice, and halls of legislation-musl
strength and life be sacrificed there, contend
ing for the right? Shall she daily drag her
self, pale and attenuated by constant study
to the lecture room, to impart the stores q
knowledge, which she has with so much
pains gathered, to scores of inattentiyt
students? With trembling nerves, care
worn lace. and blanched locks, shall she, In
early lie, be pointed at as the victim of the
tells Of the physician?
These rights have been claimed for her
but what advantage will she gain by beinf
allowed them? Will she be any more loved
admired, respected, and useful? Will hel
power and Influence be increased? Will she
tended, so UNIVERSAL Oh mol She has no,
strength nor nerve enough to sustain her
under such weight of responsibility.
Gladly after short trial would she shrink
back again into the retirement of the sphere
which God and christianized man has
marked out for her. Men need not fear that
their rights will be usurped by her. No
woman OF well balanced mind desires to do
IL. she claims no right to equality with him
In public life. because she sees she is not
ntted for It, She loves not to hear her own
voice In a crowd commanding attention.
There is then no force nor power in its tones
and the thoughts she speaks are ineffective.
But not so at home and in the social circle.
Inere ner small voice never strikes us as
contemplate Its tones are beautiful and
persuasive, and the sentiments she utters
have their full weight upon us.
is she good and virtuous Pail around her
VIII feel her influence, and be the better for
Is. she wiser The love and desire for
wisdom Will be enkindled in those with
whom she has intercourse.
Is she accomplished? She gives a charm
to daily life, and refnes and eleyates our
tastes.
Is she learned and gifted, ard does she
wish to extend her influence beyond her own
neighborhood? In the quiet of her home.
through her pen, she may silently but elo-
quently speak to all minds.
Woman certainly may have in her present
sphere power and influence enough to satisfy
her highest ambition. And nature tells us
she can never be loved. respected, and useful
out OF 1t. Her kingdom fourishes best in
calm retreats, never in crowded thorough
fares and noisy halls.
her capital is home, and there, If she be
a true woman, the most Of her thoughts,
iabors, cares and embellishments will be
bestowed: The more she adorns, beauties.
makes pleasant and attractive that dear
place the better. 1t is joy to see her patiently
toiling there day after day to make all around
her comfortable and happy nursing the sick
soothing the sorr0wful, cheering the faint
hearted, guiding the mex perienced, instruct
ing the Ignorant, strengthen ing by her coun-
sells and enlivening by her cheerfulness.
woman may seem more splendid and at
tractive elsewhere but she is loyeliest at
home' s. c. WESTON.