Year: 1859

vocacv of the new doctrine The agitation
Of the question was confined to shriveled up
old maids and antiquated philosophers who
had grown gray in single blessedness. -
Neither class had any realization of the pc
culiar fitness of woman for the home-circle
and its innumerable endearments. Both
looked upon her as mere integral part Of
humanity, without considering-because they
knew nothing about 1.-THE great laws OF
sexuality. Gradually strong-minded married
women were drawn into the circle, influenced
by the consideration that they knew better
than their mediocre husbands what was just
and proper in the management of political
affairs, and that they were more competent


to cast sensible, discriminating vote than


were their easy going, gentle-minded better


halves" Finally, the ism attracted toward


it enthusiasts of every grade and character


who labor for the reconstruction of society


and the radical reformation of the whole


governmental system of the world. Their


governing idea is that society and govern


meut should be based upon pure and un-


adulterated morality-that is to say, that all


law and all conyentionality should be found


ed unon the simplest dictates Of justice, ben


evidence. and affection, and 'cho so apt to be


Influenced by such considerations as tender


hearted woman? Therefore they desired


her TO vote and exercise an influence in the


great concerns of humanity. Still, ever


widening as was the circle of the Woman's
Rights Party" it was regarded as party of
and idcalists, whose views could
never be reduced to anything practicable or
useful More latterly, however, the theory
has found advocates among men not suspec-
ted of being visionaries or ideal theorists.
They claim that, as many of the greatest
'ulers of kingdoms as well as military COM
nanders and conquerers have been women,
such as Zenobia, and Elizabeth, and Catha-
'ine, it follows that woman, as well as man,
hough in the mass nothing extraordinary, is
n the instance great, and that she is as capa-
Die of judging what is polite and wi,e and
ust in the administration of government and
The general conduct of human affairs as man.
AS in the walks of literature and the arts and
sciences she has shown herself, in numerous
instances, fully the equal of the average of
men, they contend that, give her equal chan
,es with the other sex, and she would not be
behind them in all the qualities of greatness.
True, the majority of the male sex deny this
equality and contend that great women are
exceptions to the general rule and that the
sex, as sea, is the weaker part of the hui
man creation. But, then the Woman's Rights
advocates do not admit the premises.


As a still stronger evidence that the Wo-
mans Rights Party is gaining ground we
may mention that member of the Legisla-
.ure of New York has introduced a BILL !
which he thinks he can pass, granting to fe-
males who own taxable property the right
o vote for State and county officers. He
ases this right upon the principle contained
a our Federal Constitution, that taxation
nd representation should 60 together. The
ill will probably be defeated but the mere
lcf That man representing an enlightened
onsttuency would venture to introduce
ich bill into legislative body, shows how
rong a sentiment in favor of this Womans
lights creed is existing in the country.


There is no doubt that the sentiment is
rowing and that it will some day be an ele-
rent in the politics of the Nation. The fact


that, ever since the days of Chivalry,


hich had a marked effect upon the destiny
{ woman, female influence has been on an
lcrease in the world and the Rights of Wo-
IAN more and more recognized both in So


al custom and in the laws of the land. |
nder the regime Of Chiyalry, which was a
fixture of a strong moral and religious SEN
ment with the prevailing military spirit of
he age in which the institution originated,
7oman arose, suddenly, from the condition
t a mere slave of man-an inferior whom
e might punish with the humiliation of the
superior being, a sort of en-
hroned goddess. wrapped in the mantle of
N almost unapproachable sanctity. whom it
vas the duty of every brave and honorable
nan to respect, honor and defend with his
fortune, fame and life itself Though the
age of Chiyalry has passed, the status of wo-
man has been far from sinking down to its
original position. She has ever since been
regarded as a companion instead of slave
of man, and the laws of civilized nations
Uor of such we are speaking) have been con-


tinualy hedging her around with projections


against the tyranny of the sterner sex. The


right of dover, of Inheritance as against


male relatives, of separate proprietorship


from the husband, of sole leadership in her


own name, of divorce for ill-treatment and


the like, are all evidence Of the high consid-


Grafton in which the rights of woman are


now held 10y the civilized governments Of


the world. As far as the holding of property


is concerned in these United States. woman


could scarcely ask for more than what she


already has. Her privileges are ample and


her protection perfect. All that she needs


now to place her upon perfect equality, in


a legal sense, with her so called "lord and mas.
ter, man, is to have extended to her the right
of suffrage. This she can have, if she wants it.
She has but to ask for it aud il is hers. Ii
so happens, however, that the vast majority
of our wives and sisters and daughters are
contented with being the polar stars of the
home circle or the centres of admiration
in the social walks of life.


HoRsE.TAMNe-Rarey breaks horses by
mingled force and Kindness. but the Mexican