Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-13
From the Cleveland Herald.
WOMAN PATRIOTISM,

WOMAN PATRIOTISM.
We all know the self sacrificing spirit of
woman; her power of endurance; her rea-
DIV will to take up any cross that lies in
the path of her duty. 1t did not need the
happening of this terrible war to exhibit
woman's character for benevolence and self
denial, but this war has presented a test
bv which American women have never
before, since the days of the Revolution,
been measured. Yet, since this struggle
commenced our noble woman have con-
stantly lamented their sexual inability to
stand on the same plane of action with
their fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and
lovers.
As the war progressed many women
have found spheres of usefulness in which
they could do work that even men were
not adapted to, and now thousands of wo-
men have the satisfaction of knowing that
they are just as important to the service as
those who shoulder the musket. And yet
the great mass of the woman can only take
an indirect part in this struggle, and are
asking, What can we do to help on the
cause?
The time has come when that question
can be answered. We are now right in
the spot where woman's shoulder can be
applied to the wheel, to lift our country
from the slough into which, without aid
from some source, it must mire. Our great
bane TO-DAY is the drain of the precious
metals to pay for luxuries imported. The
great item in these importations are silks
and laces, and ribbons, and French artif-
cials, and dress adornments. Let the wo-
men of the loyal States declare that during
this war they will not buy an imported ar
ticle. Every man and woman should make
the resolve not to use an imported article
except, necessary for the carrying on the
war.
But some woman may say that all wo-
men will not agree to this. Grnated; but
let the wearing of an imported article be
badge of that woman's disloyalty. Let it
not be respectable to wear foreign article.
Such resolution as we have spoken of
would bring down importations in week,
and our gold would not float out of our
country on the sailing of every ship.
Will not our women take this matter in
hand? Let organizations be had in every
city, village and school district, and the
evil which now bears with such crushing
weight added to the war burden, will be
removed, one motive for speculation in gold
be removed and a irmness be given to our
credit that shall be equal to an army of fif-
ty thousand men in the field.
ba oloN-a xroc xrriffar
that the movement has already been inau-
gurated in Washington by an association
called "GThe Ladies' National Conven-
ton" A letter to the New York Tribune
SAYS:
The object is to abolish the use offor-
eign silks, satins, laces, indeed the whole
family adornments, with view to keep
gold in the country.
Mrs. Senator Lane, Mrs. Senator Viii
son, Mrs. Stevens, the authoress, Mrs. Spald-
ing of Ohio, Mrs. Woodbury. of Vermont,
Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Loan, and many other la
dies of high social position, took part in the
proceedings. This pledge was offered.
For three years, or the war, we pledge
ourselves to purchase no foreign articles of
apparel, after the 4th ofJuly next, when
American articles can possibly be substi-
tuted.
Evidently the eight last words would
take the life of a non-importation move
ment, but the pledge was Just about to be
adopted, when Mrs. Nicholas Of Kansas
rose and very soon demonstrated the folly
of a combination against foreign gew-gaws,
which permitted every woman to judgefor
herself whether she could get along with
out them.
There was considerable restiveness I'M
der her remarks on the part of some of the
ladies who had inaugurated the movement.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who happen
ed to be in the room, then got up, and in
speech of avery few minutes carried the
meeting without opposition to vote to
strike out the Objectionable words of the
pledge.
Misapprehension lent official influence
to the force and truthfulness of her remarks.
When she sat down whisper went through
the Chuuch, sThat's the wife ofthe Secre-
tary of War"
We also see by the New York CONNER
ciaL AdUertiser that there is a movement
on foot in that city 'tamong thoughtful and
patriotic women," looking in the same di-
rection. One meeting has already been
held and another is contemplated at an
early day. The advertiser says:
1t is felt that in the midst of calamit-
GUS war, the prevalent luxury and insoui-
sance, the idle round of pleasure and gale
ty are inconsistent with the claims of duty
to the country, and that the suferings and
sacrifices of million of armed men drawn
from the homes of the people, demand
something like response from the gener-
al public. There is patriotism, too, pro-
found enough to be willing to initiate the
example of our fathers, who under so great
privations fought the war fthe Revolution.
The women of the land are to be commen-
ded for this effort to raise economy to the
level of a practical virtue, and the men
will most assuredly welcome any reform
that they may thus initiate, if for no other
reason than that they will have smaller
bills to pay.