Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-06-20

SHort dresses, III order mat both SlQeS OF the
question may be presented.
We believe in free discussion, and are glad
i the ladies' are taking hold of it.
| We have no fears who will win in this war.
Mr.. EDITOR Allow me through your paper,
to transmit few thoughts to the public, on the
well known, and familiar topic of the day, viz :
'sshort dresses"
| That the discussion of the question now I'M
der consideration, should be all on one side, is
unfair-and hesitate not, to speak in defence
of the morality, and virtue, of my own sex. Is
is it strange that we should feel Indignation and
| contempt, arising within our minds; when we
| see introduced among US, a fashion so entirely
| repulsive to the feelings of female modesty-to
me it is not surprising in the least
When we would discuss the question with its
advocates, we are invaribly met with objections
to our present form of dress; in the way ofught
lacing long waists, and heavy skirts. | would
appeal to the honest, candid, and sensible wo-
man, is it not an absurd idea, that we must 90 to
the very extreme of fashion, in order to adopt
| it.
Must we as a matter of necessity, because
| we would cothe ourselves in proper and be-
coming manner, SO compress the chest, and stom-
ach as to injuro the health, and shorten our
ives-I think not.
AS for Mrs. Boomers ten or fifteen pound
skirts, have never seen them, q presume she
| has) although do think, there has been, and
| still is fault, with that portion of the dress,
which is not obviated by shortening the skirt
twelve or eighteen inches. l think the short
| dress would be very suitable one for the
kitchen, or workroom but who among you la
| dies, would wish to promenade the streets, from
one haJfto three fourths of your time, clad in a
dress suited only to that department of house
wifery? for you cannot but admit, Gf you are
honest with yourself, and with me) that it is not a
suitable dress to appear in away from home not
that home is any less sacred than any other
place. Not that would not consult the taste,
and feelings of my husband and family, by no
means, but is it worth the while of a woman to
carry any fashion, | care not what that fash
self to the sneers and ridicule of the public.
Let the reader answer Notwithstanding the
| faults, and deficiencies of our present state of
dress, for one, would not wish to make change
unless it were a change for the better.
| would not object in the least, to the making
of onr dresses two, three, or even four inches
shorter than we have been accustomed TO wear,
do think that less weight of skirt, would be
a decided improvement, and withal very ben
eficial.
But to those who would make such rapid
strides IN the march of Improvement, and rise
so high in the car of Independence, | would just
say, don't be in too great haste for the present
signs of the times, indicate more rapid ascent
in the skirt Of the dress, than in the mind of the
wearer. If "God never made the beautiful
forms of female lovclincss, to be deformed by
heavy and souching dresses" He certainly
never intended they should so array themselves
as to. be laughing-stock for the public, and SUBJ
ject to the ridicule of every passer by.
But have already extended my remarks to a
much greater length than intended and in con-
clusion, would say to you ladies', who have pu,
on the short dresses it is unnecessary for you to
tell us that it is your privilege to wear what you
please, we know that and accede to it at once
You have the right to wear short dress, and
pants, or you have right to wear the pants acih-
out any dress at aH if you wish to be still more
independent, but whether it were wise cours
for you to pursue, is quite another question.
| A RESIDENT OF KENosIIA CITY.