The Shasta courier., 1865-11-25
The Riot of the Women.

Under this caption a New York weekly
journal, the ROUND Table, discusses with
vehement earnestness : the unbounded ex-
travagance of the wpmen." There is no sign
of the times. it declares, more full of dread
omen to the nation. Their reckless de
sire for prodgal display is both shameful
and astounding. They riot in wanton waste,
seemingly without II thought for propriety
or decency. 1t is disgrace to the taste Of
the country, a dishonor to the men who
have SO recently died on the battle fields,
and reproach to every woman in the land
who in any wav countenances the wicked
contagion. The viest and the purest APP
pear side by side, on the street, in the
social assemblage, and at public gatherings,
tinselej alike in gold and garnish."
g. Among the looked for results of the
war; remarks the Round Table, Z" it was
hoped that the country would be purged of
slavish obedience t. the mandates of Partisan
mode and its attendant extravaganza. Twice
every year the followers of so called fashion
were wont to attend at special displays of the
millners and modistes, and learn there what
they were to wear the ensuing season.
Many of the most refined in the land thought
it no disgrace to seek instructions in the
arts of French conference.-the are in reali
ty the makers of fashions that are SO lavishy
adopted in this country.
With scarcely thought they yielded
subservience to land wholly alien to US in
morals, religion political and social life,
and, not the least of all, in climate. But it
did not seem that so much imitation, reck.
less waste, and useless display could possibly
survive the sad discipline of a great war;
And when our literature came out of the
ordeal clothed with nobler life and sturdier
fnrm, it gave cause for hope that the taste
and habits of the women of the land would
also be of purer and more provdent char
ater. How delusive was the hope the wild
designations of the past Summer, and the
rush at the recent displays of the fashion
mongers, too well attest. There il. indeed
danger before us, and every interest de-
mands thatit be fairly met before it shall be
too late"
1t commences a spirited article with this
solemn admonition to the woman of America,
which they do. indeed, need to pouder:
Do the women of the country understand
whittier these things lead-upon what rock
their foolish extravagances will wreck them :?
1t can be nothing short of hetarism and the
breaking up of the laws of social life The
bubble cannot fill toe far without eolapsine
in shame and sorrow. Marriage will be out
of the question, and French life will be upon
us with all its excesses. Women will be
their own destrovers if this thing continues.
Already decent and tasteful women are
ashamed to appear with any display, lest
their character be misinterpreted. The
fashions as prescribed in Franco, are caught
up by our own profigates. who watch for the
openings in the Spring and Autumn most
All along our streets the dissipated and
shameless appear side by side with the pure
and respectable. There are no signs to dis
tingush the one from the other, for both
worship at the French Moloch. If those
who call themselves decent would be insured
against insult, they must attire themselves
in more moderate garb, and leave to the de-
based and extravagant the tawdy hauntings
of those servile individuals who claim to
have the latest Partisan styles. But, if they.
persist in their foppery, they must not be
if the result be ruin and sorrow
Already the cities are nursing the terrible
plague of French life until the good old
and modesty of American women
seem passing away. If it is desirable that
the evil shall become general the women of
the land have only to continue their present
foolish system of expenditure and dress"