Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-09-06
TO TIE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND

'tO The WOMEN Of NEW ENGLAND.
In war like ours, which involves the life and
prosperity of a whole nation, every patriotio
citizen owes to the country the greatest possible
amount Of service. The experience Of the last
three years seems to prove conelusively, that
this is as true for the women of the land as for
the men. Though, in the order of civilization.
they are not called to engage actively in the
strife, yet theirs is most important work limit
ed only by the extent and duration of the war
itself "'''
But, while the great work Of soldiers relief
must not be suspended for moment, the iime
has come when united action in a new direction
seems to be needed. The excess Of our imports
over our exports has long threatened the most
serious consequences, perhaps even the inan-
oial ruin Of our country. OF these imported
goods, women are very large consumers.
Hitherto it has been OF small consequence
whether the old world or the new manufactured
those articles Of luxury and elegance. with
which women have adorned their houses aud
themselves. But that time is past. The bu-
manity and the christianity of the age demand
speedy aud righteous termination Of the war.
10 effect this, every energy must be brou ght 10
bear in one direction and Women's dress can
no longer be regarded as matter of taste
merely,-it takes its place to-day on tho plane
Of lofty patriotism, side by side with the great
questions Of the time.
Fellow-country women, is it not so q? We ask
you TO give the matter your most earnest con-
slderation. Permit us to cite few figures and
facts. The value of our exports for the yeer
ending June 80, 1861, was S22s, 500 4s6 CO.
The value of our imports, for the same period,
was $3.50, ,598, 1850. Leaving balance araiost
us of $57, ,S98, ,649.00 The balance must be
paid in gold, at whatever cost of premium. In
that year, some of the items of import were, in
round numbers as follows:
Manufactures Of silk $4,000 600 90
Laces and embroidenes OOO.OOO 90
Jewelry and Plate 100 600 90
Dolls and Toys 400 00O an
Feathers and Flowers 100000. 90
Hats and Bonnets loo OOO On
Gotten Goods, including trimming,
thread aud peice goods 1900 600. 90
Soap, perfumed, aud other 100 eO9.O
Wool and Worsted, manufactured 25, 900 600 20
$T2, 10000
or those articles, women are by far the largest
consumers. Shall we stop the demand for tdem
and add an annual power Of seventy.two mil
lions,-to the strength Of our country, in this
time Of trial ?
But it is said, perhaps, SIN diminishing i'm.
portatiOn, We diminish the government revenue.n
In answer to this, We would quote from letter
Of Messrs. Hooper and Rice, upon the subject
They say ;-''As every dollar, added to the re-
venue by the duty Of importations involves an
expenditure Of more than two dollars for the
csst Of the article abroad, the national wealth
wilt be increased by any reduction of resenus
from that source. Whether the effect would be
uncomfortable or not, would, of course. depepd
on the extent to which the movement would be
carried. We have no hesitation in saying, that
just so far as our people abstain from the use Of
imported luxufies they are discouraging habits
of extravaganza in dress and living stimulating
AmericaR industry and skill in many depart-
ments, diminishing the foreign debt aud increas-
ing the ability Of the country to meet the ex-
penditures OF the war;"
But it is not the government alone which viii
be benefited by such action on the part of the
women of the country. Every poor man in the
land will rejoice In reduced prices for the me-
cesearies OF life, now kept 80 high chiefly by the
high price Of gold. Every soldiers widow and
orph an child will have cause to bless us for this
new proof Of our sincere determination TO do our
share in behalf of our country, in support Of her
living defenders, and in memory of her glorious
dead Shall We withhold such aid and sym
pathy? There is much hard work to be done
before the war can be ended. To hasten, as far
as possible, the desired consummatiou, requires
the united energy Of all loyal citizens.
We ask the men Of the land to fight bravely,--
we pity and despise any shrinking on their pt rt.
Do We not owe it TO them to offset their bite.
sacrifices with cur own easier ones? We ad
mire the spirit of other women Of other tines
who have laid all their possessions on ,hoi.
country's altar Shall we not initiate as well a,
admire
Impressed with the Importance Of lending our
aid to prevent the trouble that is sure to me to
country drained of its specie, and desiring to
prepare, BY wise simplicity of living, for what
ever trials may be in store, we ask the women of
New England to unite with us in a pledge for
increased devotion to the duties of the hour.
And to this end, let US use our whole infu-
ence, and every endeavor, believing that man
kind must approve, and that God will bless.