Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-05-20


follow their example, and take up, cheer
fully, the lesser burdens that the welfare
of our country demands ? They gave up
the very comforts of life, without mur-
mur can we refuse when sacrifice of
feminine vanity is alone required =? Can
we hesitate to yield up luxuries that are
SO unbecoming when the very earth
trembles under our feet from the tread of
armed men going down to battle, and al
most every roof throughout the land
shelters some mother lamenting the son
who has fallen gloriously with his face to
the foe, or widow whose husband lies
buried SO deeply among the masses of
slain heroes, that she will never learn
where to seek for his grave.
When the wife Of a great prince, whose
husband was absent at the siege Of Troy,
was urged by her friends to put on her
royal robes and be cheerful, she answered:
"My husband is under the walls of Troy !;
shall | adorn my hair while he wears a
helmet Shall dress in new robes while
he carries arms ? No my raimeut shall
be like his hard labors, and in sadness
will L pass the time of this mournful
war"
Patriotism is beautiful in all eyes, and
was shared alike by the lady of classic
story and the mother Of the Revolution,
clad in her homespun dress and steadily
performing more than household duties.
Compare the spirit of those women with
the reckless extravaganza which has
marked the duration OF this terrible
struggle for the Union, and the contrast
is indeed humliating Still the women
of America are not unworthy of their
ancestors. Thoughtless they may be, and
Iuxuriously extravagant from long habits
of prosperity, but cruel and unjust never ,
Appeal to their reason and gentle feelings,
and the women of this day will prove
themselves capable Of as noble deeds as
ever marked the struggl les Of the Rev
olution. Convince them Of the evils their
thoughtessness is producing, and the
remedy is certain
1t has not yet been sufficiently impress
sed upon them that the encouragement Of
extravagant lmportations is injurious to
the public good. To impress this vital
truth upon the women of the Union, We
have entered into this solemn covenant
not only laudlng ourselves to general
system OF economy in our persons, but
holding it as duty to impress upon 9TH
crs how unwomanIy it is to make outward
display paramount subject Of thought
when the nation is in the throes of u re-
belion, such as the world never saw
Gathered here in the centre of the nation,
a handful Of women, intent Oh single
object, anxious only for the good of the
country, we appeal to the patriotism and
intellect of our sister women throughout
the length and breadth of the land. T. t
it be we'll understood, that every ounce Of
gold that goes from the country detracts
from the pay of the soldier who is fight
Ing tor our salvation, and dimnishes the
wages Of our sister women, who toi& for
their bread, into miserable pittancc that
scarcely suilices to keep them from starva-
ton The precious metal that flows from
this country to Europe for the luxurics
we do not need increases the price Of gold
here, dcprecciates the value of our ma
tional currency, and helps to sweep the
nccessarcs of life beyond the reach of
the working men.
1t is a painful truth, for which we
shall yet learn to blush, that the importa-
tions of the most expensive goods manu-
tactured in Europe have baen far greater
duriug the war than at any time in the
history of our country. The importa-
tions last week at the New York custom
house alone amounted to five millions Of
dollars, and all that week-wbich will
yet find its ignobIe record in history
the streets of Washington were blocked
up with weary soldiers, marching through
mud, rain or dust, down to the Army of
the Potomac, which now lies with bated
courage waiting the carnival of death
which is almost hinglng its crimson shad.
ow over us.
For the good Of our country and the
honor Of our sex, let us redeem ourselves
from this reproaeh Of wanton extrava-
g,nce. Let US prove by cheerful re-
trcnchment, that the women of the coun-
try are not so welded to luxurious self.
indulgence that they cannet ill 4 glorio US
page in the history of this war and yet
retain all that is retiring and beautiful
in womanhood. In ali humane works,
they have proved themselves charitable,
kind, and munifccnt. Let these compre-
hend that solt-abuegation will accomplish
more than works of charity, and they
viii not be less earnest to sacrifice than
they have been to act.
1t must not be said of us that we have
been willing to give up GU. husbands, sons
and brothers to fight or die for the Union,
and yet refuse to renouncc our laccs,sllks,
velvets and diamonds. That thought
would cover US with shame before the
nations Of the earth. No; our women
of the Union only lack knowledge Of the
means by which they can prove them
selves true help-matcs Of the heroes who
arc fighting our battles.
Impress it upon them that in discour-
aging excessive importatious and adopt.
iag goods manufactured at home they
may keep gold in the country, reduce the
rates of exchange, and establish conf
dence in the Government, and they will
prove how far patriotism can rise above
feminine vanity in the hearts Of Ameri.
can women.
Tn order to ipvoka the snirit of self.