Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-04-17
woMAh,s RIGHTS IN CHINA.
II She Has Any This Authority Has
Failed TO Discover Thorn.

Boston Evening Transcript: In his sixth
lecture before the Lowell institute, given
last evening, t,I~. Hon. Chester Holcombe
spoke of the social life in China, and the
unfortunate influence the literary people
work over the affairs of the nation. This
common people believe, he said, that a
mule has u soul, but that woman has
never possessed one. 1t matters little, and
cannot be determined, whether this theory
il; the cause or the result of their treat
ment of the female half of the race. The
Chinese statutes require that when a con-
tract of marriage is being arranged the
parents shall furnish proof that their son
and daughter are neither diseased de-
formed nor under or over age. And yet,
as a result of their discrimination they
are compelled to marry their sons to dup
stupid, uneducated dolts
eff these statements appear extreme to
any explained the speaker 1.-THE answer
is that those who have lived only in lands
where women have had equal culture,
equal treatment and equal freedom with
the men; where they are companions and
not serfs, and where, as result, they
have proved their equality in many direc.
lions, and their superiority in many 9th.
ers-those who have lived only in such
lands can have no just idea of the results
of the Chinese system"
The division of sexes constitutes tho
most conspicuous and essential mark OF
heathenism which is to be found upon the
Chinese nation. 1t forms an absolute and
unlimited partition Of the empire into two
great classes, and robs each of those adj
vantages and help which the other is pri-
marily intended to supply. 1t deprives
the race of fully one-half of the spirit,
incentive and stimulus which result In
progress and development
1T stunts the men, retards their intel
ectual growth, adds stupidity as factor
III their mental organization, and robs
them OF all aptitude or capacity for any
other than merely physical growth. The
extent to which this rule of division is en-
forced is simply astonishing. In families
of the better sort the male and female
members are strictly kept apart. The
different sexes must each have different
servants. Even brothers and sisters are
not allowed to associate after the boys
begin their studies, which is usually at
the age of 5 years.
Mixed social gatherings are not only un.
known, but they are regarded with alb
horrence, and as proof of barbarism and
moral degeneracy in all countries which
permit them. Among the higher classes
husbands never appear with their wives
in the street or in any public place. Those
of the working people seldom do and
upon such rare occasions the man inVar.
iably walks behind his wife, in order to
watch her conduct and see that she be-
HAYES in a proper manner Men are re
quired by the statutes to mourn thre,
years for the death of a father and 10t
days for the loss of a mother. But any
husband who should mourn or exhibit any
signs of grief at the death of his wife
would in doing SO disgrace himself in the
eyes of his acquaintance and would be
expelled from decent society. He woull
be fortunate il he did not come under the
penalties of that general provision for of.
fences mot otherwise provided for" I'm
doubtedly many Chinese husbands be.
come devotedly attached to their wives
after marriage-they have no opportunity
before that Interesting event--but it is .
breach of propriety and good morals te
manifest any feeling of that nature un.
der any circumstances.
1t is exceedingly INDIGENOUS for two in
innate friends, when engaged in converse
ton, TO mention the mere existence of
female relative of either. Men who hav.
grown gray together under relations
the greatest intimacy will inquire abou
and discuss the qualities of the male mem
bers CT the family of each, but they ma
never mention the female members, if
were only to inquire after q little cir
or years old. That common question
How is your wife?" becomes, wheI
translated into Chinese and made use o
i'll that empire, a gross and unpardonaBl.
insult, even between close friends. China
men never mention, address or appear I,
see any member of the other sex, except
ing such as are within their own house
holds. And in order to avoid the emba,
easements Of chance or casual meetings
every Chinese gentlemen must simulat
cough when he approaches the entranc
to the residence of a friend, in order thp
the female inmates Of the establishment
may be given full opportunity to disap
pear.