Phenix Gazette

FEMALE INFLUENCE

The following striking and eloquent remarks are from "Suggestions on Education," by Catherine E. Beecher:

Woman has been but little aware of the high incitements that should stimulate to the cultivation of her noblest powers. The world is no longer to be governed by physical force, but by the influence which mind exerts over mind.-- How are the great springs of action in the political world put in motion? Often by the secret workings of a single mind, that in retirement plans its schemes, and comes forth to execute them only by presenting motives of prejudice, passion, self interest, or pride, to operate on other minds.

Now the world is chiefly governed by motives that men are ashamed to own. When do we find mankind acknowledging that their efforts in political life are the offspring of pride, and the desire of self aggrandizement, and yet who hesitates to believe this is true?

But there is a class of motives that men are not only willing but proud to own. Man does not willingly yield to force: he is ashamed to own he can yield to fear; he will not acknowledge his motives of pride, prejudice, or passion. But none are unwilling to own they can be governed by reason; even the worst will boast of being regulated by conscience, and where is the person who is ashamed to own the influence of the kind and generous emotions of the heart? Here, then, is the only lawful field for the ambition of our sex. Woman, in all her relations, is bound to "honor and obey" those on whom she depends for protection and support, nor does the truly feminine mind desire to exceed this limitation of Heaven. But where the dictates of authority may never control, the voice of reason and affection may ever convince and persuade; and while others govern by motives that mankind are ashamed to own, the dominion of woman may be based on influences that the heart is proud to acknowledge.

And it is indeed the truth, that reason and conscience guide to the only path of happiness, and if affection will gain a hold on those powerful principles which can be attained no other way, what high and holy motives are presented to woman for cultivating her noblest powers.

The development of the reasoning faculties, the fascinations of a purified imagination, the charms of a cultivated taste, the quick perceptions of an active mind, the power of exhibiting truth and reason, by perspicuous and animated conversation and writing, all these can be employed by woman as much as by man.--

And with these attainable faculties for gaining influence, woman has already received from the hand of her Maker, those warm affections and quick susceptibilities, which can most surely gain the empire of the heart.

Woman has never waked to her highest destinies and holiest hopes. She has yet to learn the purifying and blessed influence she may gain and maintain over the intellect and affections of the human mind. Though she may not reach from the portico, nor thunder from the forum, in her secret retirements she may form and send forth the pages that shall govern and renovate the world." Though she may not gird herself for bloody conflict, nor sound the trumpet of war, she may enwrap herself in the panoply of Heaven, and send the thrill of benevolence through a thousand youthful hearts--

Though she may not enter the lists in legal collision, nor sharpen her intellect amid the passions and conflicts of man, she may teach the law of kindness, and hush up the discords and conflicts of life." Though she may not be clothed as the ambassador of Heaven, nor minister at the altar of God, as a secret angel of mercy she may teach its will, and cause to ascend the humble but most accepted sacrifice.