Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-09-26
For the Yorkville Enquirer.

A Suggestion as to Mourning Apparel
From present indications, it is probable
that many families will have occasion tt
drape themselves in the habiliments o
mourning, if they conform to the customs
Of society. In view of this fact, it has oc
CURED to the writer to offer suggestion tt
the ladies of the country as to tae proprietJ
of dispensing with the usual mourning ap
parel where they may lose friends and re-
latives by the disasters of the war, to'
whose successful prosecution zoe are all In
terested and pledged. Iu favor of this de-
parture from the uniform custom of the
country, the following considerations arc
presented:
1st. 1t is period in which sacrifices arc
demanded from every class. 1t is true ii
may do violence to the sympathies and
instincts of the tender sex, not to assume
the outward garb of mourning for some
loved one who may fall in the defence o1
our country. But at such time as this the
spirit of endurance, of Inconvenience and
privations, for the sake Of the public good,
ought to actuate all. A departure from or
dinary customs in non essenttats-and
restriction of our tastes and smypathles
are necessities incident to such a time.
where important interests can be thus pro-
noted:
End. From the extensive demand, owing
to the probable, very large numbers OF BE-
reavements by death, for materials for such
vesture, it will be impracticable, if not lnl'
possible for all to procure them in the South
For some to be supplied and others not,
will be far more mortifying to those than
for all to abolish the custom during the
war. Respect to the feelings of many, as
we'll as, our commercial independence seem
then to demand sacrifice of the fashion.
3. Thus vast expense will be saved to
the country and families. Even if the
goods, needed for mourning purposes, were
procurable, yet, owing to their scarcity and
demand, nothing less thao enormous prices
will secure them. The argument from
ecouomy, at such time as this, needs not
to be forced upon any thinking mind-all
must see its eminent application here.
4. The effect Of the presence Of dark or
black apparel on ladies is depressing and
saddening to all beholders, and hence,
should all who may be mourners, betrayed
in this coIor-gloom, sadness and discour-
agement will gather over many minds -
Nothing that tends to dispirit or enervate
the people in this sacred contest should be
practiced by community on individuals,
All should strive to be of good cheer, not
withstanding personal losses and bereaTe'
ments, and thus sustain the enthusiasm OF
our soldiery.
5. A substitute can be found for the
usual mourning dress. 4 black ribbon, or
Grape rosette worn upon the bosom, or bon
net, or the neck aud cuffs of white dress
trimmed with black, would be sufficient
badge of bereavement. Some such substi-
tutes as those alluded to were, to some ex-
tent, adopted by our women in previous
wars in the country, and even already in
the existing war, we are glad to know that,
in some of our Southern cities, some sim
pie symbol of mourning has been adopted
by the ladies
y 6. We forbear mentioning some other
considerations, which apply not only now,
but at all other times, against the custom
in question such as the lack of scripturaI
authority for mourning in the manner, and
for so long period, as custom demands
the spirit Of hypocrisy, which it sometimes
necessitates, the degree to which it iupalrs
health, and the heavy tax it inficts upoo
society, and especially the poor. All these
points are waived, aud attention is asked te
the first FIVE specified. Should this sugges
ton, with its supports, commend itself tt
the ladies of York District, the writer would
further intimate that concert of action, aud
50, uniformity of custom, may be secured
by the "aid and relief associations" of "a
dies, passing such resolutions on the sub
ject, as meet their appreciation. Should
none sympathizc with the views of this ar
ticle, then only the consolation of having
tried to be benefactor, remains for
A RUSTICUS CLERlCUS.