Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-07-05

10 the Women Of the United ,States-writ.
ten By Mrs. INN S. Stephens for the Ill.,
ecutiUe Committee Of Me =" Ladies' Ma
tiOaGl Covenam al Washington.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1864.
In Washington, the capital of our country,
we have Just organized central society for
the suppression Of extravaganza, the dimiuu-
tion Of foreign imports, and the practice Of
economy in all our social relations. To this
society we have given the name Of the " La
dies National Covenant Its object is
good and generous one, which should inspire
spirit Of patriotism worthy of women who
are the glory of great nation. For this 50
ciety we have an example and precedent at
once august and encouraging.
In ITO the women Of Massachusetts, ac-
tuated by the same impulse that inspires US,
assembled in the city Of Boston, as we have
met here, and resolved to serve the country
by al effort Of seli-sacri6ee far greater than
we are called upon to make.
On the 9th Of February three hundred
matrons, each the mistress Of household,
met and signed pledge to abstain from the
use Of tea, the greatest luxury Of the time
and the very life Of oil the social gatherings
for which our New England ancestors we're
80 famous. Three days after, twice that nun
Der Of blooming young girls gathered in the
same place and signed like pledges from that
brave assemblage OF women non.importation
societies spraog up, which produced an effect
upon the mother country almost equal to that
created by the success of our revolutionary
armies. During all the terrors Of the war
these noble women held firmly to their pledges
aud by their earnestness awoke the sympathy
and cooperation Of every sister colony in the
land. The spirit thus aroused extendei itself
to imported goods Of all kinds, and every
hearthstone was turned into an independent
Thus it was thst the ax-wbeel,
the hetchel, aud the hand. loom became sublime
instruments Of freedom in the hands of Amer
lean women. The house mothers Of '76 not
only kept their pledge Of non.importation,
but with their own hands wrought from the
raw material the garments which clothed
their husbands, and children. The
pledge which they took aud kept SO faithfully
evoked not only great se i-sacrfce, but hard,
hard Toll, such as the women oil the present
day scarcely dream Of. Had they not endured
aud labored while their husbands fought we
should have had no mighty Union to pray
aud struggle for now
We, the women Of "a. have the same OBJ
ect to attain and the same duties to perform
which we're so nobly accomplished by the
women Of '76. Snail We not follow then ex-
ImpIe, aud take up cheerlully, the lighter
BURDENS that the welfare Of our country de-
nands They gave up the very comforts Of
iie without murmur can we refuse when
! sacrifice OF feminine vanity is alooe required
ian We hesitate to yield up luxuries that are
70 unbeoomiDg when the very earth trembes
lnder our feet from the tread of armed men
,oing down to battle, aud almos, every roUt
throughout the land shelters some mother la.
Meeting the son who has fallen gloriously
Sih his face to the foe or widow whose
usband lies buried SO deeply among the mas.
es Of sain heroes that she will never learn
7here 10 seek for his grave ?
When the wife Of Greek prince, whose
us)and was absent at the siege OF Troy, was
rged by her friends TO put on her royaI robes
nd be cheerful she an wered My husband /
! under the walls Of Troy shall | adorn my
air while he wears helmet Shall | dress
j new robes while he carries arms? No |
~ raimeut shall be ike his hard labors, and
! sadness will pass the time of this mourn
II war
Patriotism is beautiful 10 all ages, and was
lared alike by the lady Of classic story aud
lo mother Of the Revolution, clad 10 her
Omespun dress and steadily performing more
lan household duties. Compare the spirit
these women with the reckless extrava-
lnce which has marked the duration OF this
,rriblo struggle for the Union, and the con.
ast is indeed humillating. Still the women
America are not unworthy of their anees-
'rs. Tdoughtles they may be, and uxuri-
lsiy extravagant from long habits Of pros
erity, but cruel and unjust never. Appeal
their reason and gentlo feelings and the
omen OF this day will prove themselves ca.
able 4f as noble deeds az ever marked the
ruggles OF the Revolution. Conv &c them
the evils their thoughtessness is producing,
I'D the remedy is certain.
1t has not yet been sufficiently impressed
pom them that the encouragement Of extrav.
,apt importations is injurious to the public
bod. To impress this vital truth upon the
omen Of the Union, We have en- cred into
lis solemn covenant, not only binding our
lives to a general system Of economy in our
,rsons, but holding it as duty to impress
BON others how unwomanly it is to make
Inward display paramount subject OF
ought, when the nation is in the throes OF O
bellon such as the world never saw. Gath.
cd here 10 the centre OF the nation, haud.
/ Of women intent on a single object, anx.
us only Tor the good of the country, we ap.
'al to the patriotism and intelligence of our
stcr women throughout the length and breath
the land. Let it be well understood that
'ory ou0ce Of gold that goes from the country
tracts from the pay OF the soldier who is
,hting for our salvation, aud diminishes the I
ages of our sister WI meu who toll tor their
ead, into miserable pittance that scarcely
fices to keep them from starvation. The
.ocious metal that flows from this country
Europe for the uxuries that we do not
led increases the price OF gold here, dopre.
atos the value of our national currency, aud
lips to sweep the necessaries Of life beyond
10 reach OF the working man.
1t is painful truth, Tor which We shall yet
arm to blush, that importatious Of the most
ipeusive goods manufactured in Europe have
,en far greater during the war than AT any