The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-11-03

In CQlS, IOr III IL uO1 SuPpoa0u eh"e en@
kind of offenses alluded to contem-
plates any sinister design, but it
| is kind of manner and a
kind of looseness of express
sion that may result in untold
evils. Any attempt to compromise the
elevated status OF the women of the
country by the use of rude jests and
almost imperceptable, yet intimate
and personal liberties, will result in
destroying the power for good that
women exercise over society, and he
who desires to maintain the purity OF
ennobling associations will resist all
influences to a tendency so debasing
upon its morals.
This modern looseness of expression
and familiar bearing among women is
not the fault of men, fer women are
the arbiters of the manners and tone
of social intercourse, and any man,
however rude by nature, will not dare
to offend true dignity and refinement
unless he is encouraged to do so. A
woman can hold any man she meets
in society at arms length and bring
confusion and the blush of shame to
his brow by a look, look which
springs from the mate modesty and
refinement of her nature. Even an
answer by a woman to any attempt
to step over the bounds of the highest
respect is not necessary, there is
that within her that flashes
from the dye and darkens the brow
that carries with it the most wither-
ing reproof, the most contemptuous re-
buff. In her physical weakness the
God of nature has implanted within
her the most perfect defence and the
most destructive scorn.
Chivalry exalted women to the po-
sition they now occupy in society, but
she must remember the chivalric
Knight of tho feudal ages no longer
gives tone to the courtesy due her sex.
She must recognize that the barriers
of society have in this republican
country been broken down, and the
and unworthy often OBJ
tain footing in the best society, and
she must maintain her empire over
the manners and hearts of men if she
would not lose the power that her
throne gives her. If she will per.
nit it, men will be familiar with her.
but she must first indicate familiar
ty with them. When she does this,
she abdicates, and there are none so
Door as to do her reverence, but many,
very many, so mean as to take adj
yantage of her lack of discretion or
wen unintentional lapse from her true
Lightly.
On account of the condition of So
iety in this country and her danger
f coming in contact with rude
nd even designing men, the rule by
which she should govern herself,
ught to be strict and of the highest
tandard, her good nature, often her
nexperience and her natural desire
o please, should be restrained on all
ccasions within the bounds of refine
aent and modesty. A familiarity
hat is often innocent is as often mis-
and not only often pre-
umed upon by some mon, but boosted
# in spirit of inuendo that strains
Ter character. A woman will always
20 treated just as she desires to be
reated, and she should be careful al
Ways to exact a respect and homage
uch as she wishes to see her mother
eceive, and then there is no danger of
Ter loosing her influence in society or
njuring her sex by giving men OPP
,ortunity to conclude that they are
I'll alike and dethrone her from her
way over the manners and hearts of
he world.