Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-30
Tile n1Dar OF True NOBILITY.


One Of our Southern exchanges thinks its
LADY readers viii be interested in the graphic
account which it publishes of "Opening Day" |
in New York. We fear that our contempt
rary is not mistaken in III judgment which
il forms Of the taste of its fair readers, and
yet we know Of nothing in which the women
Of the South should feel less interest, at
present, than the reigning court of fashion
and extravaganza, which in this country has
It's centre in the great city Of New York.
Whatever propriety there may have been
heretofore in conforming to the arbitrary
laws Of fashion, which have their rise, not 50
much in a correct standard Of taste as in the
pacuniary interests Of mantua-makers and
shop-keepers, the reason does not apply with
us now as then. As a people we have ex-
perienced a very great change in our condi-
ton, and good sense, as well as good morals,
requires that our habits should, in a
great measure, change with them. In this
respect then, that which is likely to prove
interesting to Northern women ought not to
interest Southern women. There is scarcely
a wife or a daughter in this bereaved and
desoIated land, whose husband or father has
not suffered in estate materially by the war,
whilst many are hopelessly ruined. Even
the few who are so fortunate as to have a
competency left, have kindred and friends
on every hand in constant need Of their as
sistance. The South may be aptly termed a
| land Of widows and orphans. Thousands
who few years since we're esteemed wealthy
are now poor. Feeble woman are without
the means Of support--helpless orphans are
without the means of education. Added to
all this, is the discouraging prospect before
us-short crops heavy taxes, and an oppres-
sive Government.
At such a time and under such circum-
stances, we submit the question if it COM
ports with the true honor and dignity Of our
Southern women-to say nothing Of their
religious duty-to be interested in the "open-
ing day" of fashion in the great mart Of ex-
travagance and folly? Would not the
mothers and daughters Of the South appear
more beautiful in the eyes of the intelligent
world, by adopting a fashion peculiar TO
themselves, beautiful and attractive in its
very suggestiveness and its happy adapta-
ton TO our history as people, the true glory
Of which depends not SO much upon physi-
cal success as upon great moral triumphs,
which misfortune cannot lessen, and which
time cannot blot out?
By the vicissitudes Of war, true nobility has
been stripped of its wealth, whilst, in many
instances, the commonest plebianism has
been elevated to dizzy nights of prosperity.
Much of the shoddy aristocracy who bask in
the splendor Of New York fashions, are
rioting in wealth built upon the impoyerish-
ment Of the people of the South. 1t is not
fit that we should study their fashions, any
more than it is that we should initiate their
ways.
Simplicity in dress, and economy in all
things, are peculiarly becoming to Southern
people Just now. 1t is the badge of honor
| IL Is the evidence OF bdCIluCts AietuSi mAeAou'
which no one can say they we're true to
a common cause, the misfortunes OF
which all should have shared. In the
days of our prosperity, extravaganza was
feature in Southern character. We can
honor ourselves far more in this hard season
Of adversely, by readily conforming to the
straightened circumstances which afflict the
country. Let the women of the South pre-
serve their consistency. In the days of dead
ly conflict they honored themselves in sym.
pathy with their fathers and brothers, who
we're in the field. Now that war has ceased
let them continue true to their high charae
ter, by a cheerful adaptation to present ne
cessities putting aside that extravaganza and
concern for fashion" which but finds ar
apology at least in state Of freedom from
care, and their general prosperity, entirely
different from the present or our probable
future