Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-11-02
A 2

society, as it is at present constituted,
there Is little to attract such men or
: such women, and it is unfortunate that
this IS the case. For however petty
orlight may be the materials Of which
1T IS composed, its prominence in the
public eye, its blazonings, its efforts to
draw attention and admiration will al
ways give it influence. And this in
fiuence is powerful. From the Almack
system of London, to its pitiful imita-
eieas IN CTR own cities, we see the I'M
controlled sway it can exercise at will.
4 And what are the effects of this inlu-
ence? 1t is to this we owe that love
Iof splendor and display which has in
fected all classes of our citizens. It is
this that has made wealth so attractive,
that men will sacrifice their integrity,
their reputation, and even heaven it.
self to obtain it. 1t is this that is .un-
dermining the fair fabric Of our nation
al prosperity, by giving rise to those
jealousies and heart-burnings, that cause
the cry of'down with the aristocracyv
to be muttered between the teeth, or
boldly to be proclaimed, in times of
popular excitement. TO this also is
owing that fearful tide of foreign no.
tons and foreign innovations that is
pouring along our commercial empori-
ums, and which, unless arrested in it's
course, will swallow up every thing
like American individuality and repub-
lican simplicity.
In tracing the unhappy effects of this
influence, let US 80 back and see what
portion Of this society gives the tones
to its usages and opinions. live dis
cover the origin of this evil, we may
also find the remedy that is needed. /
hope shall not be considered libel
lerof my own sex, when Hay the blame
at their feet. The influence of fashion,
able society is the reflected influence
of woman, and to her we must look for
the reform and reorganization of Ame-
rican society.
Our goyernment-the bulwark Of
our liberties--is entrusted to the care
of America $ sons. And let them guard
it well, for itisthe freedom of the world
that is committed to their charge. And
since they hove left fennalo influences
to regulate society, let the daughters
of America remember their responsible
lily. Let them speedily unite in throw
ing off the yoke Of European bondage,
and proclaim their independence Of for
eign fashions and imported customs.
And then, and then only, will Ameri-
can society be, what it ought always
to have been, a beautiful illustration Of
republican simplicity and republican
principles.
Let the female Of intellect and judy
menfy who has leisure at command,
consider whether she has done her du-
ty in leaving such power in the hands
of coxcombs, silly women, and girls
who need teacher. If men Of inte-
gritty, when disguised with the chica-
merry and corruption of some politicians,
were to retire from public life, and
leave every thing to mercenary Office
seekers, what would become of our 60
vernment?-But such men know and
perform their duty better: exerting
the whole weight Of their influence to
the evil doctrines dissent
mated by designing men; and striving |
to bring the unthinking mass to sense
of their true interests, they firmly fix
their feet on the rock Of political prin-
ciple, and point out the course to the
ignorant and unwary, while the tide Of
calumny and corruption rushesby them
It cannot move them from
their place, for their object is their
country's good.
From the Wisconsin Democrat.