The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1859-12-12
For the Day Book.


Mr.. EDITOR Two communications in
the Day Book of Wednesday, emanating,
/ presume, frsm ladies, arrested my atter-
ton and set me to rejecting.
The first, signed "Norfolk County," pro.
poses that some active plan at once be adop-
ted for the purpose of getting on the seas
a packet ship of our own, by which we m ay
import and export goods direct from and to
England, and thus avoid the necessity of ira.
ding with the North.
The second communication, signed "Lady
of Washington Point" proposes that all
negotiations with the North be closad at
once, ami every meens used to encourage
"home industry and home everything"
"Norfolk County" knows of on lady who
is willing to give one hundred dollars to the
enterprise OF building packet ship to cost
forty thousand dollars. | admire the spirit
that prompts the movement, also, of those
ladies of Richmond, Smithfieid and other
places in Virginia, who are so much
interested in the protection of the South.
| wonder, however, if they are not all
Of them acting prematurely, and with
out sufficient deiberation on this most
interesting and somewhat exciting subject.
Should matters become more warlike and
absolute certainty of disunion take place in
our hitherto favored and peaceful land, such
measures might with perfect propriety be taken
at once; but now, while Virginia has some very
warm friends among persons of the highest re-
spectability in Philadelphia, New York, and
Boston, besides many other friends at the North
who would rather die themselves than live to
witness disruption OF our country, and its
hitherto prosperous people involved in civil
war, (than which nothing more disastrous can
happen to any country;) let us rather wait
| awhile, holding ourselves in readiness for any
| event and see what course our friends there
will take, well as our foes, the Abohtionists,
| permitting the latter, at least time enough to
| make some new demonstration of hostility.
| The idea of raising sufficient funds this
| time to build a ship think is rather larger
speculation than the strongest.minded women
| in eur county could carry out. Where are
| one hundred ladies who would subscribe one
hundred dollars each ? That would be only
ten thousand dollars, leaving thirty thousand to
| come some other way; and where are the huS-
| bands. and papas, and brothers, who would
raise that amount just now Truly six months
| is short time for such an enterprise to be set
| in operation and completed.
AS regards "home industry" it cannot be
| Q mmenced too soon, and in every possible way,
| embracing overy art and calling. Let us be
| spinners, and weavers, seamsresses, and school,
| mistresses, and book makers too, (hht not film.
| sy trashy ones Just as soon as SHADY of
| Washington Point" chooses. anu Pll give her
my hand and go my part. 1, for one, am not
exactly ready to 'purchase no more OF North
| EN- manufacture, either of mind or matter"
aud il all the women in our country did cor.
| ciude to do so, the Merchants would be obliged
to close doors at once. The fact is, l, for one,
| love dry goods (and spice OF literature too J
| too well to see all the stores on Main street
closed as il death had entered all their owners
, households. l., for 'ne, am very willing to
| striumph over Northern foes" but do not rel
ish the idea of distressing Northern friends and
ana
| COUNTRY WoMAN,