Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-23
CrInOline i'm CnunciI.

IL IL with some curiosity, not unmixco with
amusement, that we have observed the organiza
ton of "a society of laoies at Washington, under
the title of The Ladies' National Convention, I"
the object of which is Ito unite the women of
the country in the earnest resolution to purchase
DO imported articles of apparel. where American
can possibly be substituted. during the continu-
ance of the war" and the pledge or covenant to
which every member has TO subscribe is: ''For
three years or for the war we pledge ourselves
to each other and the country to purchase no
imported article Of apparel"
We are inclined To believe that this species of
self denial, so wonderful. in women, will be con
fined, il p~racticed ut all. strictly to the ladies of
the convention, for It is not a mania likely to
become very contagious. The wives and daugh
tiers OF the newly made milliona;res are not
likely 10 be seized with a sudden Impulse to wear
California dia monds, MerrirDac print shawls,
calico bOnnets, and cotton dresses and parAsOls,
in preference TO the more costly gems and gar
ments which now adorn them Moreover, we
see no particular reason WHY they should. 1t is
highly desirable. of course, that our domestic
manufacturing industry should be encourage led
and developed but Ms fsbrics of nome make are
as yet insufficient, both with regard to quantity
and quality, to supply the varied wants and
tastes of our rapidly growing and cosmopolitan
community, we see no good reason why those
who can afford it should forbid themselves the
use OF artlcleS OF IOfelgn Importation.
The ladies' of the Convention appear to have
overlooked the fact that our greatest real source
OF revenue is derivable from custom duties, and
that in proportion to the reduction of the de-
mand for foreign goods would be the loss to the
national treasury. In their Address tn the
Women of America. " which is full Of the fire of
a Jealous patriotism, and Amounting in feminine
enthusiasm, they ignore the principles of politi
cal economy, and, while striving TO work good in
one direction, overlook the fact that they are do
ing harm in another. They do not consider that
it is to the interest of this country that our for
eign trade should be sustained. that imnortations
stimulate expectations, and that the present ex
tent of both furnishes the best evidence Of our
prosperity in the ewes of The world. Moreover,
the stronger our ties OF commerce with other ma
tons during the continuance of this war, the less
likelihood Will there be of an interruption Of our
amicable relations. Nations, even more than
individuals, are supremely selsish. and interest
alone influences their conduct toward each other.
AS strong an argument, therefore, might be
made ia favor of the extravaganza consumption
OF imported goods. on patriotic grounds. as could
possibly be made against il. 1T we were at war
with the country whence these importations
come, the caSe would he different.
But the more serious aspects of the case aside,
what would become of us if the good wishes of
these very patriotic and influential ladies at
Washington were actually realized. Where
would be our substitutes for tea and coffee Is
it fair that we should he forced to use sloe leaves
for the one and a preparation of rye in place of
the other? Would the ladies drink catnip with
a relish and call it delicious Ought we TO be
compelled to fOrego the luxury of an occasional
bottle of champagne. aud TO be tempted WITH
applejack instead Z Surely it would be as bad o
be poisoned with Jersey lightning" as eau &c
pie. Are we in danger OF losing even the sOlac ;
of a mild Havana. and if French kids are 10
be contraband shall we be expected TO dane e
without gloves? We begin to be seriously trOu-
bTed about these things, aud hope they will not
come TO pass, for we confess to a moderate adj
mirarion for cloves of bonnets," and we prefer
to have our tea grown in China rather than New
Jersey. We have regard. too. for our foreign
relations and customs revenue. and we think that
the more money the rich spend the better for the
country; and as American women know how To
dress, we are of opinion that they would do
themselves great injustice in giving up the u>e of
foreign materials. and thrt their personal APP
pesrance would improve in the ratio in which
their milliners' bills were reduced. But of this we
have little fear. At the same time the virtue of
economy is not 10 be neglected with immunity,
for sooner or later extravaganza of every kind
will work its own cure. The attempt to check
it by such an appeal as that of the Ladies' Ma
tional Convention" il. however. sute to fail of
its object. and were it otherwise the spectacle
would be simDly ridiculous i1f to f1tfe
It j. in the u iture of circumstances that wars
should lead To extravaganza public expenditure
aud the suspension of specie payments. to an in
hation of values aud an active spirit of CONNER
cial speculation. by which private individuals be
come rapidly enriched; and it Is ouly reasonable
tn suppose that these would seek TO make a dis
plav of their newly acquired wealth by an osten-
tatious and expensive style Of living To complain
of, and argue and protest against the latter would.
at a time like the present, be simply futile. Peo-
pie all the world over will a. ert their right to
spend their money, and AS much as thew like of
il, ia their own way; aud to say to hundreds OF
thousands who have made money By the war,
you must do this or YOU must do that. would be
as absurd as fitting against the Pyramids
Round Table (Rep