A Serious Affair

A eiírious disturbante in the equiüb rium oí sexes is noticed by Gov. An drew, of Massuchusetls, asfollows: " I desire to cali attention to the excess of women in Mtissachusetts, and to the surplus of raen in Orogon, California and other remote western coramunities. The facility with which young men migrate, the attractions and opportuaities for them in new States, the obvious embaras8ment to the migration of young womeD, the attraotions of home, wherover it is, to the heart of womon, and her natural depeodence, combine to créate fchis inequslity ia the distribution of the sexes. In Oregon, having 52,160 inhabitanta, according to the census of 1860, there were 19,861 malea over fifteen years old, and only 8, 878. témales above that age. lts populatión is nnw estiinated at over 100,000 - this disproportion yet remaining. In Massachuaetts there were 257,833 males between the agas of fifteen and forty, and 287,009 females, or a surplus of 29,166. The excess of women of all ages above 15 years, was 38,846. Tbe absorption of men by the military and naval service dwing the intervening four years has aggravated this disproportion. And it is a disastrous one ; it (Jisorders the market for labor ;. it redoues women aud men to an unoatural competition for employments fitted for men alone, tends to increase the number both of men unable to inaintain families, and of women who must maintain themselves unaided. In civilizad refined society, it i the office and duty of man to protect woman, to furnish her a sphere, a support, a home. In return, ghe comforts, reflues, and adorna domestic life, the family, and the ranga of social influenoes. This is also the plainly providential order. Where women are driven to the competition of the market wiih men, or where men are left unsolaced and iinreöned by the presence of women, society is ahke weakened and demoralized. I know of no more meful objoct to which the commonwealth can lend its áid than that of a rnovouaont adapted in a practical way to open tbo door ol emigration to young women, wtio are wanted for teaoh?rf, and lorevury othor appropriate as well -- ■ v i.i tbe mots West, ba; wbo are üviug anxioas acd. intltH live in Hts Englrtnd.