Since, then, women have in a measure shown the capabilities of which they are possessed, it remains to be ascertained what rights and privileges are accorded them, and to be shown whether these are in any proportion to what they are entitled to; and, as the women of Europe and America enjoy more liberty than those of the other portions of the globe, it is their condition that will be inquired into.  Whatever may be amiss in Christianized and civilized lands, the state of woman is incomparably worse where the light of the Gospel does not shine.

Christianity and its attendant civilization have done much for the amelioration of the condition of woman.  Except in Turkey and in Utah, the idea that a man is to have more than one wife at the same time is not tolerated.  In referring to the continents of Europe and America, it will be understood that Turkey in the one, Utah in the other, are always excepted.  In neither Europe nor America are women subject to the surveillance of the East; they are not bought and sold in the markets.  They are, if they do not marry before coming of age, mistresses of their own personal actions.  The halls of science, literature, and the arts, have been partially opened to them.  The doors have been set ajar, and they allowed to peep in.  They may now attend the house of God without being railed in behind a lattice; and they may, without censure, move about the streets without veils, if it is not the fashion, or it does not please them to wear them.  They are accorded a measure of liberty in forming their own religious opinions; that is, the law does not prevent them from doing so.  They may, if they can, acquire property in their own names, or they may inherit it.  In such cases they, perhaps, if unmarried, may be allowed to manage such property.  Once married, it is managed, or mismanaged, as the case may be, by the husband, except in very special cases.  They are not compelled by law to marry unless they choose, and are supposed to have a choice with regard to those they do marry, though outside pressure is very frequently brought to bear with regard to both.  And, finally, they are allowed a share of authority in the joint government of their respective families.  This is about the sum total of the privileges accorded to them.

In the population of both continents, men and women are about equally divided.  It is not estimated that there are any more idiots or imbeciles among women than there are among men.  Here, then, one-half of this mighty population are prohibited by law from having any voice in the making of the laws by which they are governed, or the carrying of them out after they are made.  Where is justice in this case?  One slight exception may be made here:  in some of the Western States women are allowed to vote and to hold some few positions of profit and trust in the State.  It is only a trifling advantage, but still it is an advantage, and is one step gained in the right direction.