The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-06-01
Edwar! Everett on fine ladies Natior .,
Covenant.

Mr.. Everett has addressed the follow
ing letter 70 one of the ladies, in Boston,
engaged in this movement:
SUMNER STREEr, May l6, 1864.
ny dear hrs. t.ny
II Is not in my power to attend the
contemplated meeting. but l have no
hesitation in repeating. in this way, the
opinions. which expressed 10 YOU orally
the other day, with respect to the meas
urcs proposed BY the patriotic women ct
the country, 70 repress the consumption
OF foreign articles of luxury. l concur
in the views upon this subject. set forth
in the late letter of our respected repre-
>ontatiyes in Congress
| have noticed the arguments against
the movement, which have appeared in
the journals OF the day They are en-.
titled TO consideration. hut all of them,
in my opinion. either prove too much, or
. at most show what i almost ALWAYS the
case that the correction of great evils is
itself generally attended with some i'll
effects, Tins the proposed measure is
objected 10, because il will lead 20 the
diminution of the revenue by curtailing
oar imports; to the falling OH in our eN-
ports, since foreign nations will not buy
ofus except we buy of them; 10 loss
~ sL tEIS WHO nave lHI8c SttthS ON
hand. To suffering by those Of small
means at home, in consequence Of the
augmented price Of domestic fabrics
caused by the increased demand 10 the
distress offriendly operatives in foreign
countries and the irritation of their Co,
ernments. 1t is also objected that some
persons, who favor the movement, have
hy anticipation provided themselves with
= large stock of articles of foreign taste
and luxury, and will thus enjoy unfair
advantage over others-and that the
agreement viii by some be secretly yio.
lated
Cases Of thi. Kind must be too rare To
be of great consequence. To most of
the other objections there is no doubt
some foundation, and when ably stated
by an ingenious writer. their cumulative
forces seem great. They all. however,
admit satisfactory answer
To give this answer in detail would
require heightened discussion There
is one practical view of the subject,
which appeals directly to common sense,
and answers them all Every one of these
objections appeal, in due proportion
and in the same way, to a single individ-
! ual and to the community. Ifan eNtrava-
CANT young man, (and do not refer to
proiiigate and criminal cases, where other
conscientious are involved, were urged
10y his parent or guardian TO correct his
eXtrava@ant habits, and give up waste
tltl and improvident consumption Of arti-
cleS Of foreign luxury, he might adduce
every one of these reasons in favor Of
continued Indulgence, and they would
be, in principle just as sound and valid
in his ease. they are in reference to
the proposed movement. Bnt would any
parent be induced by any or all of the
above stated objections to encourage his
son in habits of extravaganza.
Some persons object to all concerted
action even for good objects. 1t is no
doubt liable to abuse, but less in case
of this kind, than wheni it is likely to lead
to political intrigue Fashion has so
much to do with the ex,rayagant ex.
penditures which it is proposed to check,
that some analogous counteractive infiu-
euce is necessary.
! ought to add thai a reform is needed,
on the part of both sexes, and in many
things besides foreign luxuries Ex-
travagance in the general style Of living,
IN building, furniture, equipage, enter
amusments, hotels, watering
placcs-eXtravagan often is tasteless
rs it is otherwise reprehensible---is grow
ing upon us, and consuming. worse than
unproductively. the substance of the
country. The waste at fashionable
private entertainment would support
three or four men in the ranks of the
army for twelvemonth, and provide for
the relief and comfort of hundred
wounded soldiers in hospital
Wishing you and the ladies united
with you all possible success in your
patriotic efforts, remain, my dear Mrs
Z -incy, very respectfully yours,
EDWARD EyRRE1r