The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-17
THE AnIl-sIlK DRESS MOVEMENT.
Mass Meeting ef tho Wsmsn 81 New
Ysrk at tho Cooper Institute.
UNEXPECTED OPPOSITION.
the FASHIONABLE MIlllMERS' RUSE.
49, Re, -

the FASHIONABLE MIlllMERS' RUsE.
Asss Ass. -
pursuance q Invitation promulgated by the ladies
who composed the Metropolitan Sanitary Fair Executive
Committee mass meeting OF the ladies Of New York
sembled At the Cooper Institute yesterday take steps
towards extending the lately inaugurated at
Washington for promoting national economy by general
abstinence from the Il foreign fabrics during tho
continuance Of the war.
Tho meeting called for O'Clock P. M but long
before that hour the large hall OF the institute
crowded with ladies' not apparesd In the costly dresses
in which they were wont to appear, but all plainly and
economically clad, ~ an outward evidence Of their
inward determination to abide by the pledge they
about 10 take. this were co. there was, however, a
display OF nsncerity in the collection Of costly equpagos
that 6od the square outside, and In which numbers OF
these ladies driven to tho place OF meeting. UD to
one O'Clock . continuous stream poured into the
building, taking up every seat and filling the
passage ways whom sitting
left There was perpetual and increasing
buzz OF whispered Conversation going on, with
occasional slvery litter from the younger ladies at the
novel situation in which they found Themselves thus
occupying and filling to overlooking the arena so generally
monopozed BY contending political factions. But after
a while they began to decided impotence at the
delay Of the proceedings for 1t was nearly half
past before any appeared the platform.
An occasional faint tap Of parasol on the floor
Rrs betrayed their impatence but by and by this more
frequently occurred and more generally adopted,
until and all joined In, and there regular de-
mand in the way usual to masculine meetings for the
principal actors to make their appearance. On the iron
railing In front Of the platform were ranged cards con-
tanning samples OF home made material Of cotton calico
and other materials for dresses sent committee
from the Manchester, On H. Print Works, which were
closely examined by the ladies who could reach them.
After further delay
Mr. E. DopGE at last c. - platform and said
that il wcaa ~ ..atitying the gentlemen who had
invited to attend some Of the ladies Of the COM
mittee would meet them In the committee room for
single moments conference
Mr.. Peter Cooper acted as marshal to the ladies ia
uherng them to the presence OF their expcctant coadu
The "siugle moment precious long one and again
parasos aud tiny feet recommended slight attempt at
expressing the impotence OF the fair audience for the
opening OF the proceedings BY degrees these demon.
STATIONS sweed into proportions that almost rivaed
the noisest efforts OF meeting or the hard fists them
selves under similar circumstances. This press
urs Of public feeling brought the mixed com.
Tho ladies OF the Executive Committee OF the Metro
poan Sanitary Fair took their seats at the back OF the
PLATFORM where they remained anxious and excited spec
tators OF the tumult the immense mass OF their
sisters that filed the hall in every part. and which was
created during the proceedings BY opposition to the
There but few gentlemen on the platform,
and besides these. not half dozen In the house. The
gentlemen invited by the Ladies' Executive Committee
Professor Hitchcock, Rev Dr. vinton Rev Dr. King,
Rev Dr. osgood. Row. Dr. Adams, Mr. Peter Cooper aud
The proceedings opened by Mr.. PETER CoorEs,
who moved that the Rev. Dr. King take the chair, which
was carried by the unanimous vote OF the ladies'
REV. DIR. KINo's REMARKS.
Rev Dr. KING then forward and briefly addressed
the meeting He said-I have the high honor OF being
called to preside over this meeting Of American women
have been used TO preside masculine meetings. but
had the good fortune preside before such
meeting as this And is very rarely the good fortune
OF any in the history OF a lifetime TO occupy
detan you, ladies. further than to sd generally the
objects OF the meeting They that te women Of the
land carrying outthe noble efforts In the great OF
the country shall now, by some personal self denial,
touches point which supposed to be very dear to the
female heart tAppause) And yet, most OF the other
tender awsys assume hat the taste Tor dress
We ASK that they shall hereafter, during the
continuance OF The war, abstain, so far as pos
sble, from all indulgence 10 articles OF luxury
In dress, and adorn themselves In the fabrics
We ourselves produce, and present themselves to
viii be more lovely and beloved. (Applause.)
We will now commence by invoking the blessings OF
Rev. Dr. King then delivered q very Impressive
prayer suitable TO the occasion.
MIR. PETER CoorxR's REMARKS
Mr. Cooper then proceeded to address the meeting
said the meeting had been called together by ladies'
whose object was TO form union which intended
commend itself TO the heart Of every patriotic lady in the
ourselves and poseritv threatened with destruc
ton by the vilest despotsm that disersccd civ
ized uation-at such time it is honorable to the ladies
TO oin union OF economic the labor of the
country, so as 10 make all contribute strength to the
arm OF government This should be To enable our
government to withstand the desperate now al war
for it's destruction. You all have noticed that high
on the front OF this building stands word-a single
solitary word II Is word engraven in stone, and
should be deeply epgrsven upon every American
Ses. u na s wH'a ,bs o onS o1. word nns m
country. and the only h'te for the final triumph OF
freedom and tree government throughout the world
IL will require my friends union OF science and art
with all their powers OF combina enable
us 10 Withstand the terrible energy and desperation Of
who born and brought up under system where
aud women are bought and sold like cattle In a
market IL - this system that has corrupted the deep
fountains OF the Southern heart il is only such system
that could make wiling to wade through seas OF
blood 10 maintain extend and perpetuste power that
enables thousands TO sell their own.chdren TO be
shaved withai, their ros.erity continued and
hopeless bondage Bad the Southern men now
are, we OF the free States have nothing to
have been born and brought under the corrupt
ing power and Influence OF such system, We instead
Of them. would have been the demons In human
shape who struggling to take the life nation
for no higher or better than the thirty
years ago by John e. Calhoun Commodore Stewart,
when he SAID that they Of the South were an
people, and that theirs was aristocraic institv.
ton; and that just SO long as they Of the south
could control the action n the general OF
country Just so long they would remain in the Unisn,
and when they could not they would break up. This
they are now stranipg every nerve TO accomplish. What
be terrible contemplate the triumph Of
such men, with such government, growing out OF
such corrupting rower-a government claiming II
right In the face OF high heaven, that property shalt
own labor and thus outraging oil the dearest
rights and interests 81 . common humanity When such
an institution can be allowed 10 live and flourish
country, may then be taken Sign in tho heavens
that the sun OF American hopes Of freedom and ndspen
denoe is fast setting under coudsdarkness OF des
potsm TO be followed by vide spread ruin and desoa
ton. The speeches said that sxtravagancs Is
the question is, what can We do 70 remedy III. evil,
IL can only be effected by consolidated effort, and
such union Of efort 10 needed now, when ~very
source strained 70 preserve nations lie. 10 the
proud priv ege OF the leaders OF America pow
erful influence when they unite In good work
sPEEcH oE,RRovEseoR HITCHCOCK.
PROFESSOR HrcHoox having taken the stand proceeded
70 address the mestpg He said the address they had
Just listened TO with much respect and pleasure one