The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-01-14
From the Southern Field and Preside.
THE MANUFAcT URE OF H0MESPUS

DIR. tsEE-Deur or s-t QUO WV w..
loves his country, it is very encouraging 70
see with what, alacrty our women are eh-
gagged in the manufacture OF homespun.
Twelve months ago there was scarcely
family that made any. But now, go where
you may, the spinning wheels and looms
are going with an energy and determine.
ton that bids fair TO make full supply OF
that useful article. There are families that
will not only make enough tor their own
use, but are making beautiful Jeans, Stripes,
Checks, and other kinds OF homesrun.
Such was the labor or exercise, il. their
girlhood, that strengthened the chest and
neryed the arms of those healthy and good
looking old matrons now passing away
from among US. May Heavens choicest
blessings rest upon them.
Not long since, having occasion to VISIT
a family about forty miles distant, ! found
the lady Of the house wearing handsome
dress OF her own manufacture, and moving
about as gracefully as a queen, attending
to her own domestic duties. Expressing
wish for sample of her dress to show my
wife, she soon brought me several beautiful
samples for dresses. pants and Coats, and
also checks Tor children's wear. She said
the blockade did not much interfere with
her, for she had always made humospun,
and expected to continue. and if wished
to see spinning and weaving carried on as
il ought to be, 1 should visit her mothers.
Recently. at large meeting, | saw some
gentlemen Of wealth and influence dressed
out in beautiful homespun. which consider
favorable indication. There never was
time when the WEALTHY and influential Of
both sexes had it in their power to do more
good than the present. Let Us be content
and feel ourselves genteelly dressed with
such fabrics or cloths as our own people
can make.
Rollin, in his history of Alexander the
Great, relates that at the battle OF lsus.
Lysagsmbis, and Statira. with her children
the mother, wife and children Of Darius.
King of Persla-were made capliyes. Not
long after, while at Susa, Alexander re-
celyed from Macedonia large quantity OF
very beautiful purple stats. and presented
them to the captive queens, with this mes
sage to Lysigambis:
THAT in case she was pleased with those
stuffs, she might make her grandchildren
learn the art of weaving them by way ol
amusement, and to give them a. presents
TO vhomsoever they should think proper"
At these words, the tears which fell from
her ewes showed but too evidently how
greatly she was displeased with these gifts.
and how insulting she considered the mes
sage; the working in wool being consider
tha h,nka
ignominy. Alexander hearing this, paid
them visit, and spoke thus to Lysigambis:
Mother, the stuff ~ which you see me
clothed was not only a present from my
sisters, but wrought oy their fingers. Hence,
beg YOU to believe, that the custom OF nv
country misled me; and DO not consider
that as an insult which was owing entirely
TO ignorance.
Before the reign Of Cyrus. and some
time afterwards, the Modes and Persians
we're hardy, ehterprising and industrious
race Of people. But the great influx o.
wealth SO corrupted and inflated them with
pride that they gave themselves up to luz.
ury and eItrsyagance, and looked upon Ia.
bnr as degrading. aud fit only for slaves OF
menials. Such was their condition when
they we're utterly oyerthrown and suoju-
gated BY the hardy MacedOnians, under
Alexander the Great.
From history We may learn that luxury,
extravaganza, and contempt for labor,
have caused the downfall and overthrow Of
powerful kingdoms and emperors Of ancient
and modern times, besides that Of the Mede,
and persians, And so sure as the sun
shines Of cloudless day, such will be our
condition, unless we as people learn to
labor more, and be less extrayagant than
We have hitherto been. Let our wealth be
what it may it is duty we owe TO our
country and our children, that we train
them up to habits Of industry and economy,
50 that they may be able TO support them
selves by some useful employment. For
God has decreed that by labor shall man
earn his daily bread, and he who undertakes
to contradict God will pay the penalty.
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