The Wheeling Repository

[After publishing the remarks of An Husband last week, it was perhaps but reasonable that I should expect to meet the displeasure of the ladies.---On opening the letter-box early this week, I found the following very smart letter, sent me by A Widow, on the subject. Her ladyship appears to be one of those "spirited dames" whom An Husband dooms to suffer "flagellation:" she is consequently displeased at the publication of sentiments so discordant to her feelings. She has taken up the "cudgel" "on behalf of the sex," and given me a drubbing more severe than I could have apprehended. However, as her ladyship is "a woman of spirit," and the remarks of An Husband very provoking, some allowance must be made for her warmth on the present occasion.]

To the Editor of the Wheeling Repository.

SIR,

If the women of Wheeling were all of my opinion, they would call upon you in a body, and demand the author of that scurrilous essay published in your last, signed An Husband; and if you did not disclose his name, they would demolish your printing-office. I wonder that you, who are a young man, and have your connections among the girls yet to form, should give currency to such abominable sentiments. Do you think any young woman will suffer you to approach her, after you have permitted this raggamuffin to call wives menials and inferior domestics? If I was a girl, or you should attempt to come near me, I would soon teach you the policy of publishing such sentiments. I would not suffer even a female servant of mine to wash your shirt. A pretty story, truly! that you who commenced your paper with singing the praises of women, should tolerate a fellow who talks about the propriety of whipping his wife! I declare I have scarcely patience to think of it.

This Husband says, no person should decide upon any subject without experience. In this he is right; and I do not speak but from woful and lamentable experience. I am a widow, sir, and having "tasted the hymeneal cup," know something about the matter, and can judge about the propriety of women being in subjection to their husbands. This Mr. Paul, who enjoins wives to be in subjection to their husbands, was, we all know, an old Bachelor, and therefore could not be master of the subject. Women would be in a pretty condition, if they were to be ruled by the whims and opinions of old Bachelors. This same Paul recommends all single persons to remain in a state of celibacy, like himself; but as a matter of special indulgence, allows all who burn to marry. If he had not been an old dried-up ignoramus, he would have known that there was nobody, but such animals as himself, who did not at times burn to be married, and of course would come within the pale of his exceptions. It is not fair to cite the opinions of this old drybones, to prove that women ought to be in subjection to their husbands; and in behalf of the sex, like Mr. Husband, I beg leave to enter my protest against it. I say, sir, that no woman ought to be in subjection to her husband; neither can a husband have any right to resort to a cudgel in any case of "domestic brawls." It is cowardly and ungentlemanly, for a man to strike a woman. Man possesses a greater portion of bodily strength than a woman; and no person of courage would use a cudgel against a person weaker than himself. If woman, who is the weakest, should sometimes use a cudgel, it would be quite another matter. But domestic disturbances would be lessened, if wives would at all times be in subjection to their husbands. No doubt. If wives would passively submit to be fondled upon and kicked in the same moment,—to be caressed and reviled in the same breath, and made the mere drudges of man's whims and passions—all things would go on smooth enough. No husband could, in any conscience, find fault with a wife who submitted to be kicked, cuffed, and spit upon, at his pleasure;—who never complained, but received love, contempt, or neglect, with equal complaisance. I hope, however, that the women of Wheeling have no taste for such a life, and that they will teach their husbands better things. For myself, though the bloom upon my cheek begins to fade, though the days of my widowhood have already been most vexatiously prolonged; yet I would rather be consumed, like a phœnix, in my own fires, than marry any man under conditions so degrading to a woman of spirit. The married woman, who is not mistress of her own time, and sole judge of her own conduct, is no better than a slave. If a wife must not express her indignation, when slighted or ill used by her husband, but must bear in silence with every thing,—uncomfortable as my situation is, I would prefer remaining as I am.

A Widow.