The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30


(women) should hold property not by per-
mission. but by right, and that they
should take an active part IN all great
movements" As TO the question OF the
moral equality Of the sexes. no voice has
been lifted in my age. in any land, IN
accents so Enthusiastically strong as that
raised by this woman upon this hazard
Gus subject.
The appeal Of Sarah Grand for moral
equality Is that OF a weaklirg compared
10 tho appeal made by this American
spinstcr, in words OF imprisoned elo-
quence and unanswerahle argument.
Hcr text IS that "tEe world would never
be- better till men subjected themselves
20 the same laws that they had imposed
on women" Her straightforward views
OF tho relations of the sexes. her sim
pie honesty and directness OF speech, ~
explaining her position, her own earnest,
practical. working life. refute utterly the
charge that she was an inexperienced
woman. ignorant Of her subject. and in
CO pahle Of viewing Il rightly. When one
considers how little had been said upon
this subject fifty years ago, and how in-
modcsiy was thought to characterize any
woman who even dared TO allude 20 the
relative moral rights of men and women.
one becomes dimly conscious Of the clear
vision. the far-rcachiug wisdom. and the
determined bravery Of Margaret Fuller
when She discussed the matter fully and
freely I'm her Woman in The Nineteenth
Century"
SOULS LIKE MIN.
The demands made in this book are sim
pie enough. when one reflects that men
and women are supposed 10 have souls
alike That the idea of man has only
been imporfcctly brought out. Margaret
Fuller is well aware. she simply seeks
20 open up a way 10y which the idea OF
woman may be brought so far beliey-
ing that greater devolopm ant might thus
be obtained for both. After centuries OF
suppression. yet lighting her way up
through all difficulties. woman needs
now take her turn IN the full pulsaton;'
and there can be no doubt. that improve
ment iu the daughters will best aid IN
the reformation OF the sons Of this age"
Such is the doctrine OF Margaret Fuller.
a Doctrine Of which we hear great deal,
but often so vaguely put that one does
not know I'm which direction true reform
lies. Fortunately there is nothing vague.
nothing uncertain IN Margaret Fuller's
announcement of it. She strikes at the
root OF the matter. and If any change for
the better is to come. II must come in
the way she has indicated.
Her plea for woman as an individual
IS very strong, even touching The need
OF woman. claims this special pleader,
is 10 be free 10 think. to feel. to actin
short. she wants more room I'm which 10
develop. 20 grow That this be possible.
she conjures man 10 take her into his life
as an equal partner, not as a child or
ward merely IF principles could be es-
tablished. particulars would adjust them
selves Alright. Ascertain the true destiny
Of woman. give her legitimate hopes and
-.
all other relations would by degrees be
harmonized with these" Such is her
faith. and TO add emphasis 10 what has
been said. 10 sum up the whole, we submit
her further words What woman needs is
not as a woman TO act or rule. but as
a nature TO grow. as an intellect 10 dis
Germ. as a soul 10 live freely and unim-
peded. to unfold such powers as were
given her when we left our common
home"
40 ABsURDITY.
When such things have been accorded,
and the individual dignity Of woman
raised Margaret Fuller had no fears.
like many Of her opponents. that the re-
suit would be an unseXed sex. seeking.
like George Sand. to smoke, 10 wear male
attire. and be addressed as mon fere."
At the intermediate stages Of develop
ment such unfortunate things might
sometimes occur but the end which she
seeks and forcsees is too dignified and
sufficient TO admit OF any such absurdity.
That such an end Is possible the majority
Of the human race seriously doubt. OF
those believing it possible. few see any
means of reaching IL; yet 10 Margaret
Fuller. the way seemed clear.
LET every woman" SAYS she. "see
whether she does not suppose virtue pos
sihle and necessary 10 man, and whether
she would not desire for her son a virtue
which aimed at a fitness for a divine
life. and involved, if not ascetcism, that
degree of power over the lower self,
which shall not eXterminate the passions,
but keep them chained at the feet OF
reason" And again. when many women
have thought upon this subject. some will
be tit for the Senate, and one such sem
ate in operation. would effect the morals
OF tho civilized world
To those eager for reform and engaged
i'm the movement she has committed an
earnest charge, fun of wisdom and OF
love.
Those who would reform the world
must show that they DO not speak I'm the
heat of wild impulse; their lives must
be unstainCd by passionate error they
must be severe lawgivers to themselves.
They must be religious students of the
divine purpose with regard TO man, If
they would not confound the fancies Of
q day with the requisition OF eternal
good. Their liberty must be the liberty
of law and knowledge"
WILD IMPULSES.
There are many women in the midst OF
the fray to-day ardently desiring some
good result. yet accomplishing little, be-
cause guided by wild impulse" rather
than seeking to know "thc divine pur-
pose" For such tho foregoing words
were penned.
Margaret Fullers devoted champion
ship of the emancipation OF woman never
enlisted the sympathy Of Mr.. Greely-in
fact. IL was the occasion Of much good
natured yet nevertheless sharpest spar
ring between" the two. She demanded
the fullest recognition Of social and pO-
litical equality for women with mes-
the fullest access for them TO all sta
lions. professions. emplovments. To this
demand. Mr.. Greeley says he was per-
fectly willing 10 accede. but unwilling he
was 10 accede to her further require
mcnt that men render still Difference
and courtesy 10 women. as women. after
having admitted them 10 perfect cquali-
ty with themselves Whenever she said
or did" says ne. anything implying the
usual demand Of woman on the courtesy
or protection of manhood. l was apt.
before complying. TO look her in the face.
and cNclaim with marked emphasis
quoting from her Woman In the Nine
teenth Century Let them be sca-cap-
tains n they will!
Despite this diversity Of opinion and
rallying incident thereto. no one honored
Margaret Fuller more sincerely than did
Horace Greeley. and no one has left SO
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