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man for somewhat more of wisdom； of vigor； of courage； from natural
endowment； combined with enlarged action and experience。 In
woman we look more especially for greater purity； modesty；
patience； grace； sweetness； tenderness； refinement； as the
consequences of a finer organization； in a protected and sheltered
position。 That state of society will always be the most rational； the
soundest； the happiest； where each sex conscientiously discharges
its own duties； without intruding on those of the other。
It is true that the world has often seen individual women called by
the manifest will of Providence to positions of the highest authority；
to the thrones of rulers and sovereigns。 And many of these women
have discharged those duties with great intellectual ability and great
success。 It is rather the fashion now among literary men to
depreciate Queen Elizabeth and her government。 But it is clear that；
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whatever may have been her errorsand no doubt they were grave
she still appears in the roll of history as one of the best sovereigns
not only of her own house； but of all the dynasties of England。
Certainly she was in every way a better and a more successful ruler
than her own father or her own brother…in…law； and better also than
the Stuarts who filled her throne at a later day。 Catherine of Russia；
though most unworthy as a woman； had a force of intellectual ability
quite beyond dispute； and which made itself felt in every department
of her government。 Isabella I。 of Spain gave proof of legislative and
executive ability of the very highest order； she was not only one of
the purest and noblest； but also； considering the age to which she
belonged； and the obstacles in her way； one of the most skillful
sovereigns the world has ever seen。 Her nature was full of clear
intelligence； with the highest moral and physical courage。 She was in
every way a better ruler than her own husband； to whom she proved
nevertheless an admirable wife； acting independently only where
clear principle was at stake。 The two greet errors of her reign； the
introduction of the Inquisition and the banishment of the Jews； must
be charged to the confessor rather than to the Queen； and these
were errors in which her husband was as closely involved as herself。
On the other hand； some of the best reforms of her reign originated
in her own mind； and were practically carried out under her own close
personal supervision。 Many other skillful female rulers might be
named。 And it is not only in civilized life and in Christendom that
woman has shown herself wise in governing； even among the wildest
savage tribes they have appeared； occasionally； as leaders and
rulers。 This is a singular fact。 It may be proved from the history of
this continent； and not only from the early records of Mexico and
Cuba and Hayti； but also from the reports of the earliest navigators
on our own coast； who here and there make mention incidentally of
this or that female chief or sachem。 But a fact far more impressive
and truly elevating to the sex also appears on authority entirely
indisputable。 While women are enjoined by the Word of God to
refrain from public teaching in the Church； there have been individual
women included among the Prophets； speaking under the direct
influence of the Most Holy Spirit of God； the highest dignity to which
human nature can attain。 But all these individual cases； whether
political or religious； have been exceptional。 The lesson to be
learned from them is plain。 We gather naturally from these facts；
what may be learned also from other sources； that； while the
positions of the two sexes are as such distinct； the one a degree
superior； the other a degree inferior； the difference between them is
limitedit is not impassable in individual cases。 The two make up
but one species； one body politic and religious。 There are many
senses besides marriage in which the two are one。 It is the right
hand and the left； both belonging to one body； moved by common
feeling； guided by common reason。 The left hand may at times be
required to do the work of the right； the right to act as the left。 Even
in this world there are occasions when the last are first； the first
last； without disturbing the general order of things。 These
exceptional cases temper the general rule； but they can not abrogate
that rule as regards the entire sex。 Man learns from them not to
exaggerate his superioritya lesson very often needed。 And woman
learns from them to connect self…respect and dignity with true
humility； and never； under any circumstances； to sink into the mere
tool and toy of mana lesson equally important。
Such until the present day has been the general teaching and
practice of Christendom； where； under a mild form； and to a limited
point； the subordination of woman has been a fact clearly
established。 But this teaching we are now called upon to forget； this
practice we are required to abandon。 We have arrived at the days
foretold by the Prophet； when 〃knowledge shall be increased； and
many shall run to and fro。〃 The intellectual progress of the race
during the last half century has indeed been great。 But admiration is
not the only feeling of the thoughtful mind when observing this
striking advance in intellectual acquirement。 We see that man has
not yet fully mastered the knowledge he has acquired。 He runs to
and fro。 He rushes from one extreme to the other。 How many
chapters of modern history； both political and religious； are full of
the records of this mental vacillation of our race； of this illogical and
absurd tendency to pass from one extreme to the point farthest from
it！
An adventurous party among us； weary of the old paths； is now
eagerly proclaiming theories and doctrines entirely novel on this
important subject。 The EMANCIPATION OF WOMAN is the name
chosen by its advocates for this movement。 They reject the idea of
all subordination； even in the mildest form； with utter scorn。 They
claim for woman absolute social and political equality with man。 And
they seek to secure these points by conferring on the whole sex the
right of the elective franchise； female suffrage being the first step in
the unwieldy revolutions they aim at bringing about。 These views are
no longer confined to a small sect。 They challenge our attention at
every turn。 We meet them in society； we read them in the public
prints； we hear of them in grave legislative assemblies； in the
Congress of the Republic； in the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain。
The time has come when it is necessary that all sensible and
conscientious men and women should make up their minds clearly on
a subject bearing upon the future condition of the entire race。
There is generally more than one influence at work in all public
movements of importance。 The motive power in such cases is very
seldom
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simple。 So it has been with the question of female suffrage。 The
abuses inflicted on woman by legislation； the want of sufficient
protection for her interests when confided to man； are generally
asserted by the advocates of female suffrage as the chief motives
for a change in the laws which withhold from her the power of voting。