The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-07-16

Speeches--Bloomerism.

paper Htefature mas cast up nothln8 "ithi
a few weeks of greater beauty and imPor
tance, than Victor Hngo's speech IN defence
of his son, and Mrs, NichePs lecture on Fe
male Dress.
On widely different subjects, in far differ
'ent countries, they are both mastery mani
festations of the progress of the age And
though the elequenee of the father, and his
noble assertion, that he, himself, was the
criminal in behalf of injured humanity, could
mot avert the sentence of the law from his
son; and the other will not escape the sneers
which at first, public opinion, ever so plen-
Seously showers upon reformers, particularly
if they are women, yet who would net be
proud to have filed the position of either?
But capital punishment here has many
able antagonists; its business among the libe-
ral minded ndintelligent is much question
ed; and lit is notnow deemed absolutely keret-
zeal to doubt whether illegal murder is a
Peoples best security from crime, or the
mostacceptable sacrifice to an offended Deity.
With your permission, Messrs. Editors,
would callattentiOn to the other lecturer and
her subject
intellectually, Mrs. Nichel's address en-
r'Bloomerism" is beyond critism-it COM
mends itself to all capable Of understanding
1T. Nor is it the first time that the fashiona-
bic fobles of women, have afforded material
forsplendid essays of commingled philosophy
and wit. The management of snuf-boxes
and the nletien of fans were innocent sub
jects of some of the pithiest papers of Addi-
son and the playful sarcasm of Steele.
Physically and morally, the lady's address
can only array power, pride and prejudice
against it. When s@cA women propose a
change, the only wonder is that those can be
found who doubt its propriety, or find other
excuse than timidity, for its non-adoption.
There always are fearful, nervous, 'orderly'
people, whose scruples are aroused and
consciences disturbed by any symptoms of
~ change in existing customs-who cling con-
vulsively to establishments, whether of church
state, or the prerogatives Of fashion. We
cannot wonder then, that they should be-
come excited, when the sacred subject of
lady's gown promises to be drawn before the
people for revision, renovation or abbrevia-
ton. Gowns, whether ecclesiastical or secu-
lar, the order party deem consecrate from
profane hands, no matter how many abuses
may lurk among their ample folds. Yet,
says Channing-"Tim and cases may oc-
cur when order degenerates into crin,e'
Ladies, if your present dress is cumber-
some, expensive, unhealthy, suicidal, in
heavens name, curtal, correct, improve it i
and that too without referring to the men for
ats final adjustment. Its practical pooof that
women need freedom, when reference must
still be had to the other sex, before they can
decide as to adopting change which in no
ways concerns any but themselves. They
surely own to the mputation of dressing
most for the admiration of men, when there
is chance for desirable reformation as re-
CARDS comfort, and yet hesitate to adopt it,
1--WE take it forgranted that all wearing them
do desire escapement from long hung, heavy
! skirts, whatever they may otherwise say in
order to seem proper Would the men SO
debase themselves before our prcjudices?-
"Slaves always find masters" Power Of
every kind reluctantly yields to innovations.
Ladies'! Unexpectedly there is now door
thrown open unto you for achange-a peace !,
full change-one which threatens not to sub
vert Church or State-a CHANGE that has the
unusual advantage of permission, yea, com
1eMend alton from the men. See to it, that
you accept so great a privilege while you
may, even should it be Of little advantage,
and less continuance, for you are creating
to yourselves precedent opening out to
much more important benefits.
There may be some men found who insist
there shall be no invasion of time honored
customs, in their domestic dominions just as
the ,Autocrat of Russia resists all encroach-
ments upon his power; compels poor little
Poland to implicit obedience (whose dress
among other things he prescribes by law
and is suspected of trying to bribe and infu
ence other national families back, to old
fashioned despotism, Yet, Notwithstanding,
we suspect the Poles have lurking penchad
for freedom; and would rather, if they dared,
choose their own fashions. Z,
Nicholas like othermen is great friend to
protection. No matter whether or not their
services were desired, he and his predeces-
'sors always qOoald protect Poland. Whether
their patronage has been productive of ex- j
traordinary happiness to their weak sister,
history gives a sadly eloquent answer. /
think the undue amount of peace and pros
perity enjoyed by the cared for Poland, will ,
not be so enticing to Americans as to cause
them to abandon their faith in individual !
sovereignty, to destroy their constitution, or
cease declaring and maintaining their right
to independence.
sSemc men arc determined that women
need protection something to lean upon
i