Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-09-29
THURSDAY MoRNING. sEPTEMBER 90, 1896.

the uninssllectusl. ---and this especially
% IN our own county. Our mes or
character snd intelligence ass occupied
on the boeys arena Of life. Our vo-
men Of cu!tivslsd minds and simplici-
~ OF manner ars found in the social
circle. OF st their own fresidss. In
fashionable society, - Il - Il present
constituted. there Il little 20 attract
such men or such women, and Il IL un-
fortunate thar this 10 the case. For
however petty or light may be the mate
rails Of which II is composed. is promi-
nence IN the public eye. its blazonings.
lts efforts to draw attention and admire
ton will always give IL influence. And
this influence II powerful. From the
Alnaek system Of London, TO its pitt
ful imitstiocs In our own cities, We
see the uncontrolled sway il can exer-
else at will. And What are the effects
OF this influence Il 10 10 this ne owe
that love Of splendor and display which
has infected all classes or our citizens.
Il Is this that has made wealth 10 AZ.
tractive, that men viii sacrifice their
integrity. their reputation, and even
heaven itself 10 obtain il. Il is this
that Is undermining the fair fabric Of
our national prosperity, by giving rise
TO those jealousies and heart burnine,.
that cause the cry Of Down with the
eristocracyr to De muttered between
the teeth, or boldly TO be proclaimed,
IN times of popular excitement. To
this also is owing that fearful tide Of
foreign notions and foreign innovations
that Is pouring along our commercial
emPoriums. and which, unless arrested
in its course, viii swallow up every
thing like American individuality and
republican simplicity.
In tracing the unhappy effects oil
this influence. let us 20 back and see
what portion Of this society gives the
tones 10 its usages and opinions. II
we discover the origin Of this evil, We
may also End the remedy that Is need.
ed. ! hope l shall not be considered
a Hbeller Of my own sex, when I Law
the blame AZ their feet. The Influence
Of fashionable society il the reflected
influence Of woman, and to her we
must look for the reform and reorRan-
ization Of American society.
Our government-the bulwark ofour
liberties--is entrusted 10 the core Of
Americas sons. And LET them guard
il well. for il is The Freedom Of the
World that is committed 10 their
charge. And since they have left f..
male influence to regulate society. lei
the daughters OF America remember
their responsibility. Let them speed.
y unite ia throwing or the yoke 81
European bondage, add proclaim their
Independence OF foreign fashions and
imported customs. And then, and
then o0ly. will American society be,
what il ought always 10 have been. !
beautiful illustration ofrepublican Elm.
piicity and republican principles.
Let the female Of intellect and iudR.
ment, who has leisure at command
consider whether she has done her
duty in leaving such power in the
hands Of coxcombs, silly women, and
girls who need teacher. If men Of
integrity, when disguised with the chi.
canery and corruption Of some politi-
Clans, were TO retire from public life,
and leave every thing to mercenary
office seekers. what would become oi
our goyernmenti-But such men know
and perform their duty better: exertina
the whole weight Of their influence "a
eounleract the evil doctrines dissent.
ns.ed by designing men; and striving
TO briag the unthinking mass to sense
Of their true inseFests, they firmly g.
their feet on the rock Of political prin-
ciple. and point out the course 10 The
ignorant and uBwsEy, while the tide ol
ealumny and corruption rushss by them
nnheeded. II cannot move them from
their place, for their object is their
country's good.