The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-16

tOh iOh NOlltu OIly, wherein sne TOOK a
leading part. The general object OF these
conferences, as declared in her program
was to supply answers TO these Quesuons
What are we born to dor and How shall
we do itp Or as has been stated, Her
three special aims in those conversations
were, to pass in review the departments OF
thought and knowledge, and ondeavor TO
place them in one relation TO one another
in our minds. To systematic thought and
give a precision and clearness in which
our sex is so deficient, chiefly, think, be-
cause they have so few Inducements to
test and classify what they receive. To
ascertain what pursuits are best suited TO
us, in our time and state OF society, and
how We may make the best use OF our
means OF building up the life OF thought
upon the life Of action. These conversa-
tons continued for several successive
winters, and were in reality vindication
OF woman's right to think. In calling
forth the opinions OF her sex upon Life,
Literature, Mythology, Art Culture and
Religion, Miss Fuller was the precursor OF
the woman's rights agitation OF the last
thirty-three years. Her work, The Great
Lawsuit; or, Man vs.. Woman, Woman vs..
Man. was declared by Horace Greeley TO
be tho lottiest and most commanding as
sertion made of the right OF woman TO be
regarded and treated rs an independent,
intelligent rational being, entitled to an
equal voice in framing and modifying
the laws she is required TO obey, and in
controlling and disposing OF the property
she has inherited or aided TO nc.
quire." Thus encouraged Margaret Fuller
continued her agitation for the freedom
and elevation OF her sex until she went TO
Europe and in tho hospitals ut Rome dur
ing the revolution Of 1913 gave new proof
OF her womanly qualities rs q nurse among
the wounded and dying OF Garibaldis
army. And as with her so with all other
women. They have gained in all the su.
perior qualities that distinguish the sex in
proportion rs they have gained in freedom
and in education. Women were never
more respected than they are today when,
as a result OF the agitatlons OF the brave
women just mentioned, they have gained
in nearly all the States the right To hold
ana control their own person and prop.
erty TO do as they please with their own
earnings, make contracts, sue and be
sued, testify in courts Of justice aud fol-
low any one Of moro than $50
| different kinds OF employment, in
GLIDING the professions Of law. medicine,
the ministry, architecture and journalism.
They can now enter almost any OF tho
great universities and colleges, and in
normal schools can III themselves for the
noblest OF all the professionalism OF tho
teacher-the most sacred, because thcchiei
duty and function OF the teacher is to
strengthen the mind, iortiiy tho moral
| power, and lay foundation or super.
structure OF rules aud formulas upon which
the pupil may bank aud build in after life
securely and surely. Forty years ago 1t was
the habit otparcnis toeXpond everything on
the education Of their sons. Now the daugh-
ters are considered with an especial view
10 their independence. And hundreds Of
thousands OF women all over the United
States and their Territories, In Canada and
all the other British colonies, and In Great
Britain and Ireland, and in most Of the
nations OF Continental Europe, are making
good livings, independent OF fathers, broth
es and husbands. Nine. Kerscnbaumcr,
VI. d., Of Salzburg, lately lccturcd
in Vienna on medicine as a pro-
fcssion for women. Tho assembly.
room Of the Industrial Union was
filed 10 overlooking by an audience OF
ut least 1000 persons, two.thirds OF whom
were ladies, while dociorsand medical stu.
dents lined the walls and filled every cor.
ner. And tho New York Medical Journal
has been staunch advocate Of women rs
being peculiarly fitted and adapted 10 the
medical profession, very few Of the mem.
beers OF which now oiIcr opposition. tho
great successes like DIR. Mary jacob being
against them. But this great revolution in
forty years was not effected without oppo.
sition. Tho Philadelphia Loigcr. now n
friend OF women, in lSiS summed up the
ridiculo and cynicism then W common
with men and journals, and sometimes with
women themselves, In troatingof the WON.
ans rights agitators, and said, In view OF the
first woman's convention, then recently
held at Seneca Falls, y. V, that the
philadelphia ladies not only possess
beauty, but they are celebrated for discrc-
ton, modesiy. and unicigncd diilidcncc,
rs well ms wit yiyacily and good nature.
Whoever heard OF a Philadelphia lady set.
ling up for a rciormcr. or standing out for
woman's rights, or assisting b. man tho
election grounds, raise n regiment, com.
mand legion, or address juryi Our ~.
lies glow with n higher ambition. They
soar 10 rule tho hearts oil their worshipsr,
aud secure obedience By the sccpler
OF affection. Tho tenure Of their power
! Is law OF nature, not law Of man, and
hence they fear no Instruction, aud
never experience the shock Of a reyOlu.
ton In their dominions But all women
are not ~ reasonable rs ours OF Philadcl.
phia. Tho Boston ladies contend Tor the
rights Of women. The New York girls ~.
pirc 10 mount the rosirum. TO do all the
voting, and, wo suppose, all the fighting
too. Our Philadelphia girls object 10
fighting aud holding Office. They prefer
the baby jumper 10 the study Of Coke and
Lyltlcion, and the ballroom 10 the Palo
Alto battle. They object 20 having a
George Sand for President OF the United
States; Comma for Governor; n Fanny
Wright for Mayor, or Mrs. Darlington
for postmaster. Women have enough in-
ilnence over human affairs without being
politicians. Il not everything managed
by female influoncc7 Mothers, grand.
mothers. aunts aud swcelhearis manage
everything. Men have nothing TO 10 bat
TO listen aud obey 10 the of course, my
dear, you will. aud Of course, my dear,
you won't Their rule Is absolute; their
power unboundcd. Under such a system
men have no claim TO rights, especially
equal rights A woman Is nobody. A
wife u everything. A pretty girl Is equal
10 10000 men, aud mother Is, next 10
God, all powerful. Tho ladies Of Phila.
delphia, therefore, under the influence Of
the most serious sober second thoughts,
are resolved TO maitain their rights Ms
wives, bellies, virgins, and mothers, and
not as women" Tho word woman
was as rcpugnant 10 the then editor
Of The Lcigtr MS II Is now 10 the
coloicd people who are careful to speak Of