egal and social
position. We have nothing to do with individual man, be he good
or bad, but with the laws that oppress woman. We know that bad
and unjust laws must in the nature of things make man so too. If
he is kind, affectionate, and consistent, it is because the
kindlier feelings, instilled by a mother, kept warm by a sister,
and cherished by a wife, will not allow him to carry out these
barbarous laws against woman.

But the estimation she is generally held in, is as degrading as
it is foolish. Man forgets that woman can not be degraded without
its reacting on himself. The impress of her mind is stamped on
him by nature, and the early education of the mother, which no
after-training can entirely efface; and therefore, the estimation
she is held in falls back with double force upon him. Yet, from
the force of prejudice against her, he knows it not. Not long
ago, I saw an account of two offenders, brought before a Justice
of New York. One was charged with stealing a pair of boots, for
which offense he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment; the
other crime was assault and battery upon his wife: he was let off
with a reprimand from the judge! With my principles, I am
entirely opposed to punishment, and hold, that to reform the
erring and remove the causes of evil is much more efficient, as
well as just, than to punish. But the judge showed us the
comparative value which he set on these two kinds of _property_.
But then you must remember that the boots were taken by a
stranger, while the wife was insulted by her legal owner! Here it
will be said, that such degrading cases are but few. For the sake
of humanity, I hope they are. But as long as woman shall be
oppressed by unequal laws, so long will she be degraded by man.

We have hardly an adequate idea how all-powerful law is in
forming public opinion, in giving tone and character to the mass
of society. To illustrate my point, look at that infamous,
detestable law, which was written in human blood, and signed and
sealed with life and liberty, that eternal stain on the statute
book of this country, the Fugitive Slave Law. Think you that
before its passage, you could have found any in the free
States--except a few politicians in the market--base enough to
desire such a law? No! no! E