Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-01-07
A Homesoun Party.


The movement towards Southern indrpon.
dcncc is progressing steadily The people of
Virginia arc in dead earnest about this mat
ter. While we gentlemen have contented
ourselves, as yet, with meetings. speeches, &C.,
the Indies have begun toact. Withnut noise.
they have commenced to give force and color
to our resoluilons-to put Our theories into
practice. We had the pleasure, II few even
lngS ago, OF attending " homcspun party"
given by IL patriotic lady of this city, whose
excellent good sense prompted her to substi-
tutc deeds for words, and to inaugur.ltc mt
once that system OF scl;-dcpendcncc which
has been the theme of the inaumerablc public
meetings held recently in every county of the
State. The panty was a decided, brilliant
success. More than hundred ladies and
gentlemen, belonging to the most rcspcctn-
bic families in the city,, were present, all of
whom were attired in part or in whole, IN
garments made of Virginia Ribrics woven in
Virginia looms. 1t was strictly Niryinia
cloth party
AS II matter of course, the ladies were far
III advance of the gentlemen, in their cos
tunes. Many OF the lrttcr wore but II single
article OF clothing made of material produced
and manufactured in the State some, indeed
had not even so much as Virginia pocket
handkerchief; but the ladies' without cxcep
ton, were dressed from top to toe in home
made apparel. And it was wonderful to see
how the plain homespun became them. We
were particularly struck with the ctwhich
gas light and a little trimming produces
upon the commonest white cptton osnnburgs
and tiannel, Only by the closest Inspection
would the eye be convinced that this rough,
coarse stuff was not the finest Grape Cashmere,
of n delicate cream color. Nor were tho blne
I'and the brown home spun plaids less bcoom-
ing to the fair wcarers than the csnIbnres -
Not an article of jewelry was to be seen any.
where, not an artificial -four or ointment of
any kind. Even the laces were made at home
of ordinary cotton
Doubtless the light of patriotism which
bcpmcd from the lovely faces of the maids
and matrons,h 'lpcd to give the PLATO garments
come!incss not intrinsically their own; but,
be 'hat as it may, VIC declare heartily that we
never attended IL party where tho lades look
cd better, or where both sexes seemed 10 on;ny
themselves more heartily and universal. 1t
IS true tho gentle ores turcS would have looked
| more brilliant IN silks, satins, diamonds and
othHr fashionable 9cwgaws, but we must dis
tlngulsh between briiancy and true lovelincss
Woman never looks so well as whom she looks
domestic.
This homespun party is but the beginning
OF the end. Other Virginia cloth parties viii
follow. The movement must 90 on. There
is no helping it. When our mothers, our
wives, daughters, sisters, sweetkearts, lend tho
way, gho can refuse to follow? If any one
trait is stronger than another in tho female
character, ii Is that element Of perseverance,
which will not permit thom to abandon any
measure they have undertaken. When onco
hey put their white little hands to the plongh
they never turn back, 1t is gross lilstako
10 suppose that hopespGn clothes will be worn
only os fancy costume at parties, They
who think this, know little of the character
of Virginia ladies. The best, the purest, the
bravest blood on earth runs In their veins =