The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1866-12-21
HCaiico."

the same thing IN other cities Tor the
relief of the destitute and suffering poor
Each lady desiring admittanco to the
ball is required to wear a substantial
and plainly made calico dress, which,
when she has used it for that single
occasion, it is understood that she will
turn over to q committee for distri-
button among indigent and ill-clad wo-
men. The fabric is one which admits
the display Of as much taste and Gle
gance as any other, and the graceful
woman Of tile South neTer appears
moro. cnchantinsly lovely than when at
home, arrayed i'll the simple neatncss
of "caEco," she becomes the "angel Of
the household" whether in the relation
of wife, mother, sister OF daughter
But while VIC commend charity in l;cr
proper sphere, and maintain the ele-
gailcc of "calico" as an article Of female
attire, more eligible to good taste, than
any other, under tho peculiar circum-
stances Of tile Southern people, we pro-
test against its appropriation as a ball
dress by charity, and against her med
ding with it in any manner which my
.disparage it in the eyes Of the fastidi-
GUS. For VIC wsL to sec it put on
through motives Of justice, prudence,
patriotism and honest pride, and wosn
by the women of the South, not for one
day only, but as long as it is scrviceable
in the ball room, tho drawing room, the
theatre, the church, and wherever else
q lady may go, until it shall become the
gala dfUss u OH c0,rrEtr :; OF sr9r-e"-r,-1;;-
ton, and prospects bo greatly improved.
We have been ruined, politically and
pecunia1ily by an aggressive and mer-
cilcss war upon us. Nearly all are
overwhelmed with debts which pressed
lightly before our property was subvert-
ed but'to bearup under which, now, with
the added burtllen ofcxorbitant and vim
dictive taxes is perplcxing and for
too many, insuluble problem, and
oven if there be q few who are exempt
from pressing debts, or from MI debts,
and with present af!luence around .hcm,
let it not bo forgotten that the Storm
which has wrecked us all, is not yet
blown over, and that the pfanks on
which they float, may, ard probably
will, be swamped by the next wave of
radicalism, and them
selves whelmed in ruin as deeply as
any Of their ncighhors. 40 soathHr1
southern moman ti'sa, has any mo-
neg to spend in ectynrGgGnms. Every dime
not required for comfort, should bo
hoardedz OF invested rc-productively,
and that habiliment is in the best taste
Which is the cheapest, consistent with
elegance, comfort and neatncss, and
hat in the arO':st taste which involves
any expenditure beyond what is ncces-
'ary to secure these requisites whether
or the ballroom, or elsewhere.
These truths must be palpaLle to all;
:lley are pressed home by sense of
Justice to creditors, who ought to bo
,aid, by duty to offspring, who ought
o have provision beyond the reach
,fa capricious and vindictivo conqueror,
~ duo consideration for the tender IA
her or husband whose now too fire.
luent reveries, ere while unwonted,
With perplexed brow, or deep drawn
igh, betray moro clearly than words
ould express, the difficulties and an
chiefly pecuniary, Which bcsct
lin; and by that honest pride which
hould mako every lady Of the South
corn, under her present circumstances,
0 initiate, Or ape the FLORA McFL1Ms1Es
+ Northern or European opulenco and
rofigacy. But unhappily, no woman
an determine the style, or expense, of
er wardrobe by the simple standard
f her own good taste and sense Of
ropriety. Fashion is a law unto her,
-hich wcman-nuturc canno: and should
ot disregard, and the few individuals
hose example sets the fashion in any
OWN OF community are vested with a