Such is the hideous, the deplorable state of a numerous and interesting portion of the population of our cities in the most prosperous country in the world! And be it noted, to the discredit of the wealthy portion of the nation, of both sexes, particularly the ladies, that this subject has for five years been pressed on the public attention, in almost every shape and form, without exciting a single efficient effort in Boston, New York, or Philadelphia—I will not say to remedy or alleviate this horrible state of things—but even to inquire into it, and ascertain whether it be or be not remediless! It is impossible to regard this apathy without exciting the utmost astonishment.
I have not lightly thrown a higher degree of censure on the ladies in this case, than on the gentlemen. It is peculiarly the cause of the former. Their sex are "ground to the earth," and it is the proper duty and province of the ladies to stand forth in their defence. In such a holy cause of humanity, their efforts could not have failed of success. They might readily have stimulated their fathers, brothers, husbands, and cousins, to meet and devise some plan to mitigate sufferings, which drive numbers of unfortunate women to destruction—to ruin here, and perhaps hereafter. Half the zeal, the effort that they make in other causes, not calling so loudly for their interference, would have sufficed to render the defence of those oppressed women fashionable. But they have looked on with calm indifference. Application on the subject has been made in Philadelphia and New York, personally or by letter, to above fifty ladies in each city; and every one of them expressed deep sympathy for the sufferers, but the sympathy has been barren and unproductive.
I will now take the case of a city labourer, whose wages average about 75 cents per day through the year, when employed; and suppose him to lose only eight weeks in the year by sickness and want of employment. Let
ness the struggles often made by honest pride and destitution. I could cite many instances of young, and even middle-aged women, who have been 'lost to virtue,' apparently by no other cause than the lowness of wages, and the absolute impossibility of procuring the necessaries of life by honest industry."
'The subject of conversation at our last interview is one of great importance in every well-regulated community, and cannot fail to interest every benevolent mind. I mean the inadequate price usually paid for female labour, particularly to poor widows who are burdened with small children. It is a subject which ought to arouse the feelings of every philanthropist: for I have no hesitation in saying, from my own observation, as one of the acting magistrates of this city, that no inconsiderable portion of female distress and female depravity is to be attributed to the very scanty remuneration they receive for honest industry. I hope, therefore, most sincerely, that your unceasing efforts in the cause you have so disinterestedly espoused, will be crowned with ultimate success.
"Yours, sincerely,
"From intimate acquaintance with many of the industrious poor, for eighteen years past, both in New York and in this city, I am constrained to say, that your remarks concerning the inadequate payment which females receive for their labour, are just, and ought deeply to affect every benevolent person, who has any wish to do justly, and see honest industry suitably rewarded. A common slave, in the states of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, is much better compensated for his labour, by his necessary food, clothing, lodging, and medicines, than many respectable mothers and daughters in this city, who apply themselves diligently to their work, two hours for every one occupied by the negro in his master's service. Your remarks will apply to the folding and stitching of books, to the sewing of carpet rags, to the binding of shoes,*** no less than to the work done for the army and navy."
