Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-21
The Riot of The Women.

1
discusses with vehement earnestness
''the unbounded extravaganza OF the
women" There is no sign of the times,
it declares, more full of dread omen to
the nation. "Their reckless desire for
prodigal display is both shameful and
astounding. They riot in wanton waste,
seemingly, without thought for pro-
priety OF de ency. 1t is disgrace to
the taste of the country, dlshonof to
the men who have so recently died on
the field of battle, and reproach to ev-
cry woman in the land who in any way
countenances the wicked contagion. =
The vilest and purest appear side by side
on the street, in the social assemblage,
and at public gatherings, tinseled alike
in gilt and garnish.
"Among the looked for results of the
war; remarks the Round Table, sit was
hoped that the country would be purged
of slavish obedience to the mandates of
Partisan mode, and its attendant ex-
travagance. Twice every year the fol-
lowers of the so-called fashion were
wont to attend at special displays of the
milliners 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
| instruction in the arts of French courte
tesans-who are IN reality the makers of
the fashions that are so lavishly adopted
in this country. With scarcely thought
thew yielded subservience to a 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 of imitation, reckless
waste, and useless display, could posi-
bly survive the sad discipline of great
war. And when our literature came out
of the ordeal, clothed with nobler life
and sturdier form, it gave cause for
hope that the taste and habits of the
women of the land would also be of a
purer and more provident character
| How delusive was the hope, the wild
dissipations of the past summer, and
the rush at the recent displays of the
fashion mongers, too well attest. There
is, indeed, danger before us, and eve
nv interest demands that it be fairly met
before it shall be to late.
1t commences spirited article with
this solemn admonition to the women
of America, which they do, indeed, need
no ponder:
ssDo the women of the country under
stand whittier these things lead-upon
| what rock their foolish extravaganza will
wreck them? 1t can be nothing short of
hetairism and the breaking up of the
laws of social life. The bubble cannot
fill too far without collapsing in shame
end sorrow. Marriage will be out of
the question, and French life will be
upon us with all Its excuses. Women
will be their own destroyers if this thing
continues. Already really decent and,
tasteful women are ashamed to appear
| with any display, lest their character be
misinterpreted. The fashions, as pre-
scribed in France, are caught up by
our own profiigates, who, watch for
the openings in the spring and autumn
most faithfully.
All along our streets the dissipated
and shameless appear side by side with
the pure and respectable. There Is no
sign to distinguish 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 debased
and extravaganza the tawdry fauntings
of those servile individuals who claim
to have the latest Partisan styles. But
if they persist in their foppery, they
must not be surprised if the result be
ruin and sorrow. Already the cities are
nursing the terrible plague of French
life until the good old simplicity AMI
modesty of American women seem pass
ing 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"