Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1892-06-23
For the Ellsworth American.
The dot and Dowry.'

1t is said that "the greatest genius is
never so great as when it is chastised and
subdued by the highest reason aud one
cannot refrain from wishing for this
greatest genius to write upon some of the
subjects that need the attention of the
rising generation. 1t needs reason surely
10 give them the glow that will attract at
tention, but the lesser lights need to
notice and think upon such subjects. and
the mass of women should think and
speak and act upon them.
There is no thinking or observing per-
son but is willing to acknowledge that the
opportunities for women are far greater
than few years ago, but women are still
looked upon in hight far from compl
mentary to them, and when such ideas
find expression In such an article as re-
Gently appeared in one Of the brightest
weekly papers of our country, some one
should stop TO consider and perhaps re-
flute. The article referred to spoke of the
increase of clubs among the men, and the
attractiveness and luxury of these are so
great that the young men no longer care
TO abandon these for the cares of home
and family. The club cannot be resigned
for 1.-The hurdensome dry-goods bill to
pay and Caudle lecture to endure" there
fore this article from which quote adj
vised American parents TO resort to the
dot and dowry" system of France and
Germany.
What lofty idea this at once gives one
of the American men! For the .dot and
dowry" they will endure the dry goods
bill and the Caudle lecture, If this is the
right way for women to obtain husbands,
marriage which recently took place where
il was evident that the man married for
the money the woman possessed? When
such articles End their way into print, the
American girl should show that she deems
it privilege TO be self-suppnrtirg The
time has passed when the poor girl must
remain poor or submit to matrimony a. a
subterfuge; for to-day there are avenues
I
cess not second to the success OF their
brothers If the right man comes, he can
share her success or perhaps help her. but
If he does not sppear she can be a success
without him. Our own State furnishes
numerous Illustrations OF the success Of
women. know OF one, an Androscogyin
county woman, whose investments count
up in the thousands who has earned and
invested her money. and prefers to At JOY
1t without the husband. and undoubtedly
she is much happier than the woman who
IS the wife OF a man with a legal title
who enjoys his fishing and hunting trips
while his wife cares for home and family
As well a. the stable
Penobscot county has just come to real
re the capabilities of Miss Manning Of
Newport. who since the death OF her
father, continues hi. business and success
fully too. II there Is 70 he a 'dot aud
dowry" why not have il given 10 the one
who carries most Of the burden. To whom
falls the care Of the children: Taere are
many women with brightest intellect.
working for their board, and why: Be
cause they married with only the know
ledge and experience OF twenty short
wears. and did not realzs the ifS before
them, or the success that might be
achieved II they chose to labor for 1t
slone
single hlesscdne>s" Is often laughed
at, hut double misery could As often be
cried about, for there are numerous *
smpies Of this. Matte Baker Dunn IN
one o. her recent bright articles declared
If women demanded better, pnrer men.
they would have them. THIS Guild not
deny. hut while we demand these. let Us
give them IN understand that We viii
make ourselves prize for any man with
ont the dot or dowry. and fortunate is
he who rims one of the bright. active
progressive. American girls. and let the
dot and dowrv go with the girl who
thinks only Of fashion. who thinks Of
mstrimony and not OF the intellect aud
principle of the man whom she marrie-
II is the worthless article that needs a
prize TO sell H. and it is the same In re-
gard TO women.
GEORGIA PCi>IFEE PORTER