The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-11-03
WORD no AMER1cAN LAp1Es


We quote this sensible appeal to the
women of America from the columns of
one of our best cotemporaries
1--WE are in the midst of great financial
pressure, Banks are breaking, merchants
failing. and old established firms suspend
ing on every side. Our fathers, brothers,
md husband come home from Wall street
and Broadway with perplexed brows and
doubtful faces, anafeye our housekeeping
and shopping bills with anything but an
approving glance. Economise--sase--
retrench is the watchword Of the hour
.'And it is our place, as women, 30 set
the example of reform in this matter.
There is no country in the world where 90
much respect is accorded to women, and
where her social position is so exalted, as
in the United States. In all the records Of
the days of red cross knights aad olden
tournaments, there is no such beautiful ex-
ample of chivalry as we lave recently be-
held in the sad shipwreck of the Central
America. In country whore a woman Is
held in such an estimation as this, ought
she to shrink from any sacrifice necessary
to maintain the standard sz
But the reckless extravagance and
empty. friyolity of the modern fine lady
constitute the surest mode of losing this
high national position. Look at the FASH
ionable women of 1857 She wears . silk
robe which cost hundred dollars; her
love of fall hat was cheap at fifty, and
she sports set Of Honitons at seventy FIVE.
She carries a small fortune round her
wrists, dangling at the threat and cleaning
on her fingers in the shape of crosses, rings.
and bracelets. She buys all the foolish
trinkets and extrayagant trifes which hap
pen to catch her eye in the shop windows,
and caps the climax by going into Mysteries
when her husband hints at retrenchment
Is this the beauideal of woman
sour streets. bathrooms, aud places of
public resort are crowded with these walk
ing advertisements; general emulation
seems to prevail as to which shall sport the
most expensive silks and richest. jewelry,
and even the more sensible and prudent,
who have not moral courage to declare in
dependence, are drawn into the vortex of
Nay, our very churches
have become nothing more than show
rooms for tho last new bonnet and latest
moie-antique Of the fashionable worshipcrs.
I'VE firmly believe that many Of the
failures in the mercantile world are entirely
owing to the recklessness of woman, and
the amount Of misery, suicide, and distress
for which she is thus indirectly called upon
to answer, is perfectly incalculable. A
man will endure almost any degrees of en-
barrassment before he will consent that his
wife shall deny herself an accustomed luxu-
ry. or be exposed to the ridicule or censore
Of her particular clique.
Now it is your plain and simple duty,
ladies of America, TO stand up ty your
husbands sides, and help them to bear tho
heavy pressure Of this great commercial
crisis! 1t is of no use to sit up in your
elegant budoir, clasping your jeweled hands
and bemonning your ineapacity
to oct. Hclp-to institute reform in the
dress question, and your husband will have
some substantial proof of your sympathy
and affection. Lay aside, your costly
velvet and brocades-deny yourself that
coveted winter bonnet-turn your back
upon every extravagance. A
rue woman never looks lovelier than when
.rrayed in simple calico or gingham dress
md a straw bonnet worth seventy-f
cents. What if the Mrs. Potiphars of
your acquaintance pass by youswith avert
ID eyes! haven't you the moral courage to
'alue their friendship at it's proper WORTH
We respect the woman who. in these hard
lines. dare appear in public dressed In no
expensive raiment.
'Oh, for the good old times when one
best silk dress was the standby for years!
All that we need is some fair leader of the
to take the helm and steer Q
hip with calico sails! The present time
$ an excellent opportunity for the expert
nent, and we are quite sure that the wise
md sensible Of the world will gladly well
;ome the vent of dress reform"