Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-13

their wants, in proportion to ther me ms;
they make no addition to their lands, their
houses, or household goods, without first
examining we'll into the state of their finan-
ces. In this consists one great principle
OF republicanism, never 10 suffer the ex-
penditures to exceed the income; for Pc,
cuniary Indebtedness, subtracts from dor
nestle independence, and tends to create a
kind of vassalage, Incompatible with free
uom Of action.
Such are some of the leading charac-
tcristics, which distinguish a truly repub-
lican community; aud whether society are
approximattng nearer to these characters
tic features, or whether straying farther
from them, becomes us to enquire. In ha-
bits Of life aud Of domestic economy, we
have doubtless been retsograding in many
respects-much Of that republican simpli-
city, which distinguished our forefahers.
has become nearly obsolete in the present
generation. Pride has been s'cadily in
gratiating itself into the feelings of the
people, and has led them to look with dis
respect upon the simplicity of by-gone
years. A broad cloth suit, is now almost
an Indispensable passpor. TO gain man
admittancc to genteel society: a coat which
would have been deemed respectable in
the days of Jefferson, for republican re-
preventative to wear in the congressional
halls of the nation, would now be thought
no more :han suitable to the condition Of a
common day laborer Many ar orator in
the days of oar forefathers, while his
voice thrilled with cioquence and truth
in legislative councils, was clothed in a
domestic garb, manufactured by his indus
trious wife. Many a young man has led
to the hymcnal altar his blooming bride,
while next to mind, her highest compliment
in the estimation of the WISE, was her dex-
terity at the spinning wheel and the l,om.
In those halcyon days, there was a spirit
of republican independence, pervading the
soul, which bowed not in fealty to modern
extravaganza.
1t were not matter Of complaint, that
in this mankind have changed, if the pro-
gress of mind had kept pace with the re-
hncments Of dress /; but such unhapply
has not teen the case. Statesmen have
grown no better, no wiser, no more devo-
ted 10 their country's good: the texture of
the garment, has not changed for the bet
ter the qualities of The mind. However
much ia the mean time the arts and the
sciences may have been on the advance,
we arc not to discuss; this has nothing to
Go with the subject we are CONSIDERING
We speak of what republicanism in our
manners and habits once ,wass and what it
now is. That'it has degencrated from its
original simplicity, is a matter too notori-
Gus to admit Of dispute. What has be-
come of the busy hum of the spinning
wheel and the shuttle Where arc the
families that manufacture their rolls Of
linens and woollens. like unto the genera
tons gone by2 Where are the children
clad in domestic apparel, fabricated and
wrought by the mother and daughters q
The spinning wheel and the loom, have
long since been thrown among the rubbish
in garre.s, while the piano has worked its
way into the parlor-saIlow countcnances
and dainty fingers, have usurped the place
of ruddy cheeks, glowing health and beau
~. Ete:ninacy has been substituted for
vigor, weakness for strength. Yetal this
passes for rcpu' icansm.
We have said that simplicity Of man
ners, and domestic independence, are gen.
uine republicanism whatever, therefore,
tends to increase the dependence of an in
dlvidual or community upon the industry
Of others, detracts 50 much from their natu-
raj independence. Nothing is more con-
genial to republican life, especially in an
agricultural community, than that every
family should as far as practicable, pro-
vide for their natural wants-wherewit
they shall be fed and be clothed. Il is no
wonder that the Roman Lucretia, was so 1
much respected and admired, because with
her own hands she toied at the distaff,
surrounded by her maids and household
servants. Let mothers train their daugh-
tiers TO habits of industry and usefulness,
if they would perpetuate the blessings Of
republicanism. LONELINESS and charm,