States; the Co-operation of States; Monogamic
Marriage; Unions; Free Trade, and many others equally important. We have
already noticed that cohesion is a well-known property of matter; that
its influence is not confined to the regions of physical sciences; and
that it is the manifest duty of all governments to increase the force
of cohesion.

Various methods have been tried to accomplish this purpose. The
principle of Feudalism was one of the earliest attempts to produce the
cohesion of the nation; and, in an elementary condition of society, it
was partly successful. The theories of 'Divine Right' and 'Social
Contract' were other methods which have been adopted; and the unity of
the Christian Church has been the great means of producing the cohesion
of the State in olden times; and its aid may be again required for the
same beneficent object in future complications and social disruptions.

But it is always advantageous in scientific pursuits to go back to first
principles; and we will adopt that method in our present investigations.
The social unit is the family; the multiplication of families makes the
tribe; the multiplication of tribes makes the State; and, therefore, we
shall not be far wrong if we consider the family tie as the first
principle of political cohesion. I am in agreement with several learned
thinkers upon this subject when I say that marriage is a most important
political factor; and as marriage cannot take place without women, it is
evident that women play a very important part in promoting the cohesion
of the State.

This prominent position was duly assigned to women by one of our
greatest political philosophers, M. Auguste Comte, who strongly opposed
the fatal fallacy of ancient political systems, which greatly
overestimated the powers of men, and depreciated those of women. If the
superiority of bodily strength be the sole cause of greatness in
political and intellectual pursuits, then, most noble lords of creation,
we yield to you the palm--you are our masters in this respect. But if,
on the other hand, it can be shown that physical strength is not a
requisite for great achievements in these occupations; if the powers of
endurance, elasticity, adaptability, nervous energy, and patience are
quite as needful as mere animal strength; then we women are quite as
capable, and indeed more capable than men, for achieving political
greatness. In the 'good old days,' when the law of might was right, and