Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-21
NON.lMf0RTAFI0N LELgUE.
Report of the Committee on Address and
Resolutions.

The following is the report of the Commit
tee on Resolutions of the Non-impOrtatiOn
meeting at Brsinard's Hall on Thursday eve
ming. It was unanimously adopted:
REPORT OF TIE COMMITTEE.
The great reliance Of our country, in this
hour of trial, is upon the army and military
success; but outside of actual war, there is
much to be done by the men and women of
the nation. Next to victory in the field are
questions of money, finance and currency
If the war was ended, and when it shall end,
as we'll as while it continues, the comfort and
the fortune of every citizen is affected by the
state of the currency. Every one understands
this matter, for it is the very simple practical
question of the value of paper money. The
value of currency depends upon the relative
amount of gold and silver in the county
At prssent more than q million of specie
goes out of the country every week to fill
the Golfers of foreign bankers and empty our
own. Nest of this money is paid for articles
that are not necessary, many of which are
decidedly unnecessary. and others positively
hurtfuI Already during the present year
more than t,0enty millions go 900, ,000) have
been lost to us forever for foreign wines, silks,
fine woolens and tobacco.
1t is in the power of the people to check
this evil. As the nations to whom most of
cur coin is exported are unfrieDdly to US, it
would be justifable in our Government to
cease to hold commercial transactions with
them but it may pOt be prudent. The peo-
pie are under no such close calculations of
prudence. There is no power on earth which
has q right to say what We shall eat, what
we shall drink, or WhsreWithal shall we be
a.
two dollars to pay these foreigners one. IF
we continue to buy of them, and tho war
holds on twelve months longer, it may re-
quire three and 80 on, until we shall be
where the Southern Confederscy now is, st
twenty for one.
Does any one ask how the men and women
Of the loyal States can help this Suppose
tive thousand ladies of Cleveland shall buy
no more silk dresses for one year, there is
rs, 900 or so, 600 less a oney sent ont of the
city. There are more than two millions of
such dresses purchased in the United States
annually at a cost of thirty to forty dollars
each. This is at least SIXTY millions. II
each one of tho 20 900 900 Of people in the
Northern States should consume i've ($5)
dollars less Of foreign goods during the com
ing year, it would be 100, ,OO0, 900 of dollars.
Who will say that there is no power in the
ject Of their personal expenditure. Our two
greatest customers are France end England,
two governments of decidedly hostile inten-
tions towards us, They consume as little as
possible of our products, in order to exact
gold, q process which they expect will prove
to be our financial ruin. In fifteen years past
they have taken from US forty millions annu-
ally; now they are getting more than fifty.
Shall We continue to second their schemes for
our destruction, or shall we free ourselves
from dependence upon cur enemies
While our young men go forth to take their
places in the ranks of battle, will not our
young women be willing to sbste somewhat
of their ornaments, and appear none the less
loveIy2
While so many mon are suffering on the
field, is it a time for their mothers and sis
ters to be absorbed in matters of personal
decorations? While there is mourning in go
many households, and the anticipation of it
in many more, is it respectful to their sad
ness to cultivate gsiety and display?
Those men who are not required to con-
front the dangers of the service, are they not
willing to curtaiI somewhat of their luxu-
ries and their pleasures Many of them
have apparently been prosperous in bust
ness, notwithstanding the war. Do they not
owe large support to the country, not alone
in contributions, but economy, and whatever
else may be required in this emergency?
As one Of the surest means of promoting
the interests of the Nation, at this time, the
Committee recommend a vigorous suspen-
sion of importations.
The also report the following resolutions /:
Resolved, That committee of seven gen
tlemen and seven ladies be appointed by this
meeting with instructions to frame pledge
for Non-Importation League that shall
discourage the use Of all foreign articles
which are not among the necesssriss of liV-
ing, and prohibit the future purchase, for |
domestic uss during the rebellion, of articles
Of luxury, the growth or manufacture of Eu
rOpesn States, and report to an adjourned |
meeting, to be called by the chair.
Resolved, That in case citizens of other |
counties in this State shall enter into this |
their committees be requested to |
correspond with the above named commit |
tee, with view to general and uniform
plan Of diminishing foreign importatiOns.