The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-06

pun IL tighL one knows not where the
transmitted evil of ii will find an end.
Now by good fortune. worthy scholars
from the great West have established N
auti-foot binding association to save the
women and girls of our land from the
misery OF this bondage. To obtain the
JOY of delverance truly Will he great
achievement But i'm seeking 70 remove
this evh il is necessary first 10 remove
its cause. Contemplating the power OF this
practice, and peering into the feminine
mind, we perceive that foot binding has
reached the center of the human heart. 1t
has become a rooted custom. Generations
handed it down, unassailable.
II We wish to turn back this evil, the
difficulties are three: First, in choosing
wife in China It is not asked whether she
has womanly virtues 'or not; the first in
quiry is whether her feet are small or
large. Though her disposition and feat
ures should be perfect yet if her feet are
large they involve disgrace. and no be
trothal follows. Again. the women OF
China are without earning. Because they
do not reflect on the completeness of Gods
gifts or the fitness of the body given them
ty their parents, they one and all regard
foot-hindng as essential. Though men
should oppose with all their might, the
women would give no heed Further. wO-
men adorn themselves to excite admira-
ton. If that which is below the petd-
coats hem be too large. not only does It
excite the worlds rdicule, but their has
bands disgust as Well and on the day
that they go to his home he is angry that
their feet were not bound up earlier.
Because of these three difficulties the
scholars and officials dare not lishly criu-
else or alter. But in the Kingdoms of the
great West among both officials and mcr-
chants, husband and wife walk together
The grace of movement of these ladies we
truly admire. Why then, should we hesi-
tate in planning to put away this evil
custom and achieve a noble service? The
strength of the empire is declining Let
scholars, farmers, artifcers and trades
men all put forth their energies 20
strengthen themselves untiringly, and let
the women also help together. But il
we still remain in this ancient thraldom
then with the binding of the feet must
come the loss of affection between mother
and daughter.
All movement being painful the eficien-
cy of the housewife must be still further
injured the toes being cramped so that
they cannot be extended the whole body
suffers hurt. The wife is unequal to the
labor of drawing water and grinding corn
nor can she fuifn the duties of hospitality
to guests. In rearing sons and daughters
also il will be difficult for her to be-
queath them a strong body Since simple
walking is painful in fording streams il
is still more difficult for her to find foot
ing. Although there may not be the dan
ger of the River Chu," still the husband
must carry her or his back SO il is that
the mems anxiety in caring for the wo-
men comes chiefly from the habit of foot
binding
We now desire thoroughly to reform this
evil habit of several thousand years. Then
will the body polite be without shame
and in all things have prosperity For
this reason we should earnestly plan thus
TO preserve the present dynasty. to spread
this worthy scheme for putting away an
old evil. to maintain the principle of han
ding back the perfect body we received,
and so to return to our primitive simple
ity. The methods for reform are three
First extend female education. causing
girls to read ana to understand princi-