their masters. "A married woman is as
much the property of her husband, likewise her goods and
chattels, as is his horse," says an eminent judge, and he might
have added, many of them are treated much worse. No more apt
illustration could have been given. Though man can not beat his
wife like his horse, he can kill her by abuse--the most
pernicious of slow poisons; and, alas, too often does he do it.
It is for such unfortunate ones that protection is needed.
Existing laws neither do nor can protect them, nor can society,
on account of the laws. If they were men, society would protect
and defend them. Long, silently, and patiently have they waited
until forbearance ceases to be a virtue.

Should a woman make her will without her husband's consent in
writing, it is of no use. It is as just and proper that a woman
should dispose of her own property to her own satisfaction as
that a man should dispose of his. In many cases she is as
competent, and sadly to be pitied if not in many cases more so.
And even with her husband's consent she can not bequeath to him
her real estate. She can sell it with his consent, but the deeds
must pass and be recorded, and then, if the husband pleases, he
can take the money and buy the property back again. Does justice
require that a man and his wife should use so much deception, and
be at so much unnecessary expense and trouble, to settle their
own private affairs to their own satisfaction--affairs which do
not in the least affect any other individual? Reason, humanity,
and common sense answer--No!

"All men are created free and equal," and all women are born
subject to laws which they have neither the power to make or to
repeal, but which they are taxed, directly or indirectly, to
support, and many of which are a disgrace to humanity and ought
to be forthwith abolished. A woman is compelled by circumstances
to work for less than half an ordinary man can earn, and yet she
is as essential to the existence, happiness, and refinement of
society as is man.

We are told "a great deal has already been done for woman;" in
return we would tender our grateful acknowledgments, with the
assurance that when ours is the right, we will reciprocate the
favor. Much that has been done, does not in the least affect
those