The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-10-17
THE HARD TIMES.


We copy from the Boston Journal very SEN
sible article on this alimportant and allabsorbng
subject. 1t correctly, in our opinion, gives the
mote and immediate causes of the present fnan
cial condition Of our country, and it is well for
every one to ponder upon them, as well as
to set about remedying the evil. The cause of
the present hard times may be given in three
CANOE: and the remedy is economy, economy
ECONOMY.
The people of the United States, as body, have
been extravagant in everything: in dress, in
houses, in furniture, in their tables, in travelling
in building railroads. in specializing in lands, lots
and stocks. They have been going OH as IL gold
and silver we're to be picked up in abundance in
the streets and highways, and as if their riches
were inexhaustible. Every family that could pos
sibly raise the means to 6t out mother and daugh.
tiers with splendid wardrobes, and to pay travelling
expenses, must needs leave home every Summer
and spend few weeks at Newport, Saratoga,
Cape May, Bedford, the Warm Sulphur Springs,
or some other fashionable resort, to show them
selves, and appear 70 be seme6odys. The amount
of money spent worse than foolshly and ridicu-
lously in this way, for the last ten years. is enor-
Americans in Europe, and especially in Paris, for
the silly purpose of being looked upon there as mil
lionaires, and at home with envy and admiration;
as II they were really any better for having spent
six months or year in partaking of the dissipa-
tions and frivolities Of that gay and licentious
whirlpool of folly and fashion.
AS general thing our young people have
become giddy, thoughtless, and restless. They
are never go unhappy MS when compelled to
remain at home without receiving company
and their almost invariable resort to drive
away ennui and "kill tme," is some exciting
novel, Of the Eugene Sue school, as pestiferous
to the mind and heart as the use Of opium is to
the body. "Young America" is not fond Of
home; we say il with regret, but with deep con-
vction of its truth. Our boys are educated in the
streets the restraints Of home are irksome to
them, and they escape from the observation OF
the parental eye, and congregate with each other
in the Streets and at worse places as often as they
can, and we are compelled to say that parental
vigilance is not SO keen as to always perceive
their absence at hours most improper for them to
be out; nor are parents particularly careful to
know in what society their sons fall while away
from them at such times.
Thus are our children brought up with habits o.
rowing and with distsstes for Preside social enjoy
ments If girls arc not suffered to rove the streets
or CAD about from neighbor to neighbor as boys
do they are permitted 10 waste their time In read
ing such novels as we have spoken of, instead
of valuable, standard works ranked among the
British or American classics, or perhaps to spend
hours upon hours In drumming piano. x ~
We would not speak unexpectedly of music
good music-nor discourage its being taught to
such as have musical taste and talent, with Q
fair prospect of being able, without neglectine
what may be. to some more important matters
household duties; but we do object TO 30 much
time being wasted at the piano by those whose
condition in life does not warrant the suppositon
that they can devote their time to music drawing,
poetry and painting, when they shall have
become wives and mothers. The education
Of daughters ia too much designed for mere show,
instead Of making them good wives, companions,
and mothers. or course, dress is most impor-
taut matter in the minds Of their mothers, and is
not long in being considered the most important
by them. Thus educated, what can we Expect Of
them but extravaganza, vanity, and frivolityp
Our churches what are they' Places Of devo-
ton the sincere, humble, heart-worshp of God ?
or are they places where fashionable ladies' may
have opportunities to exhibit their own rich
dresses, hats, shawls, cloaks, furs, &C., and Of
criticising those Of their neighbors--w they
may learn aud exhibit the latest fashions, to be
discussed afterwards at home' We think too
much Of dress, furniture, and style of living; and
ltmus beconfsssed that the standards by which
are tested the claims Of individuals to be consid.
cred fashionable people, and a part Of "good