Woman and Her Wishes - 1853

It is not to be denied, that the subject is coming rapidly into discussion, and bids fair to be ably handled. On the one side are the reports of three large and estimable "Woman's Rights Conventions," in Worcester and Syracuse, together with a series of ten tracts, by the same indefatigable band of agitators. On the other side are the fixed observances of Church and State; nearly every stripling editor in the land has winged his goosequill in defence of established institutions; reverend divines have quoted Scripture, and grave professors quoted Aristophanes; and nothing has been left undone, except to reprint old John Knox's tract of A. D. 1553, entitled, "Blast of a Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women."

It is an unfortunate thing for this last party, that every one of their arguments is vitiated by the fact, that it has been used heretofore in defence of every oligarchy and every slavery. The rebellious females are assured, first, that they do not really wish for any farther political rights; second, that they do not need them; third, that they are not fit for them. To which the fair malcontents reply --like malcontents in all ages, fair or foul -- first, that they know what they wish; second, that they know what they need; third, that they know what they are fit for, and intend to secure it.

I. Upon the first point, I can only here say, that men have, as men, nothing to do with it. This essay is entitled "Woman and her Wishes," because I conceive that to be, for men, the main point at issue. The final choice must be made by women themselves. The final question must be, What does woman, after all, desire? It may be still as difficult to ascertain this as in the days of the wandering knight, in the old English legend; but it is essential. I do not understand, however, that any man is called upon to settle this question. We are not to interfere, except to secure fair play. I have not heard that the most ardent apostles have proposed to compel any woman to make stump-speeches against her will; or march a fainting sisterhood to the polls, under a police in Bloomer costume. Let there only be fair play. The highest demand of each; that is her destiny. "Let them be sea-captains if they will," and that is all.