Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-05-14

We, the women OF -, have the same
object to attain and the same duties to
perform which we're 50 nobly accom-
plished By the women of 70. Shall we
not follow their example, and take mp,
cheerfuIly, the less burdens that the
welfare Of our country demands7 They
gave up the very comforts of life with
out murmsr, can We refuse when q sac
riGce Of feminine vanity is alone requir-
ed? Can We hesitate to yield up luxur-
les that are so unbecoming when the
very earth trembles under our feet from
the tread of armed men going down to
battle, and almost every roof throughout
the land shelter some mother lamenting
the son who has fallen gl0riously with his
face to the foe, or a widow whose hus-
band lies buried SO deeply among the
masses of slain heroes that she will
never learn where to seek for his grave
When the wife OF a great prince, whose
husband was absent at the siege Of Troy,
was urged by her friends 10 put on her
royal robes and be cheerful, she asnswer-
ed: my husband Is under the walls cf
Troy; shall dress in new robes while be
carries arms? Mol my raimant shall
be like bis hard iabors, and in sadness
will | pass the lime Of this mouFnful
war"
Patriotism is beautiful in all eyes and
was shared alike by the lady Of classic
story and the mother Of revolution, clad
ia her home spun dress and steady per
forming more than her household duties
Compare the spirit Of these women with
the reckless extravagsnee which has
marked the duration ofthis terrible strug-
gle for the Union, and the contrast is
indeed humilia,ing. Still the women
of America are not unworthy Of their an
eestors. Thoaghtless they may be, and
luxuriously extravagsnt from long hab-
its Of prosperity, but cruel and unjust
never. Appeal to their reason and gen.
tie feelings, and the women Of this day
will prove themselves capable Of as noble
deeds as ever marked the struggles OF
the revolution. Convince them Of the
evils their thonghtlessness is producing,
and the remedy is certain.
II has yet been sniieieLtiy impress
ed upon them that the Encouragement
Of extravagaht importations is injurious
70 the public good. To impress this
vital truth upon the wo,ner Of the Union,
We have entered into this solemn cove
nast, not only binding ourselves TO a
general system Of economy in our per-
sons, but holding It a duty TO impress
upon others how unwGaMnly it is TO
make outward display paramount
subject of thought, when the nation is
in The throes OF rebellion such ss the
world never saw. Gathered here in the
center Of the natisn, a handful Of women,
intent on single object, anxious only
for the good Of the country, we appeal
to the patriotism and intelligence Of our
sister women throughout the leug't aud
breadth Of The land Let il be well un-
derslood, thai every ounce Of gold that
goes from the country detsacts from the
soldier who Is Sighting for our salvation,
and diminixhea the wages Of our sister
women who toll for their bread, into
miserable pitsance that scarcely sulhc es
70 keep them from starvation. The pre-
eious metal that flows from this country
70 Europa for the lux1ries we do not
need, increases the price of gold here,
depreeiates the value Of our national
currency. aud helps to sweep the neees-
saries Of life beyond the reach Of the
working man.
IL is ; painful truth, for which we shall
jet learn to blush, that the importations
of the most expensive goods manufaeiur-
ed in Europe have been far greater du-
ring this war than at any time In the
hiatory of the country. The imporia-
tons last week at the New York custom
house alone amounted to Eve millions Of
dollars, and all that week-which viii
get find its ignoble record In history
the streets Of Washington were blocked
up with weary soldiers, marching through
mud, rain OF dust, down to the Army Of
the Potomac, which now lies With bated
courage waiting for the carnival Of death
which is almost hiuging its crimson ban
ner over ua
For the good Of our country and the
honor of onr sex, let as redeem ourselves
from this reproaeh Of wanton extrava-
genee. Let Us prove by cheeful retrech-
ment that the women Of tho country are
no 50 weddsn to luxurious self-indul-
geHce that they cannot I'll glorious
page in the history of this war, and yet
retain all that is retiring and beautiful in
woman. In all humane works they have
proved them selves charitable, kind an
munihcent Let shesc comprehend that
selfahnegation will accomplish more
shan words OF charity, and they will not
Ee less earnest to sacrifice than they have
been TO act
II must not be said Of as that We hare
been willing TO give up cur husbands,
sons, and brothers to fight aud die for the
Union; and jet refused TO renounce our
lsees, silks, ,velTets and diamonds. That
thought would cover US with shame be-
fore the nations CT the earth. No; our
women Of the Union only lack knowledge
Of the means by which they can prove
themselves true help-mates Of the heroes
who are lighting our battles.
Impress it upon them that in discour.
aging excessive imp0rtstions and adopt
ing goods manufactured at home they
keep gold in the country, reduce The
rates of exchange, and establish conf
dencs in the Government and they viii
prove bow far patriotism can rise above
feminine vanity in the hearts Of American
women.
In order TO invoke this spirit of self-s&c
ritee il il important that the great object
of the covenant we hsve made should Be
broadly circulated and thoroughly under
stood. II discourages profigste expend
itures of any kind, recommends the use
/ of domestic fabrics where ever they can
! be substituted for those Of foreignmake
1nd advises simplicity Of attire, both As
y matter of policy and good taste /
asks the great sisterhood Of American
women to aid in this reform before it !
/ too late. Thank God science has giveI
US the means Of reaching thousands oI
/ thousands in single hour sNhile "
made this covenant, the thought tha
thrills our hearts may trembIe in fir,
along the telegraph, and awake kindre,
inspiration thoughout the entire land
I By every means of Communication in on
power, let rs urgethe necessity Of promp
action. In every town and villag
throughout the Union, some woman wh
foras her rounfrv il iunIorpd ~ aStaf