The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-10-05
The Curse Of the Nation.
From tie Round TABLED

Some mysterious spirit OF eXu mas leQ the
people into the blindest, widest infatuation.
The one great ruling passion has become
the thirst for money-money for display and
money for reckless exeesaes. Men that
once were counted reasonable and sensible
are carried along on the waves Of wild and
foolish speculation.
Women that wereonce deeorous, modest
and womanly, have donned the most shane
less fashions and faunt the most extava-
giant ornaments. The worst of all that
France can offer is poured in upon as with
no regard Tor either decency or economy
At least one half the people are living be-
yond their means. Ia fact, the poorer half
seem to make the greatest.d display and en-
ter into the most unpardohable excesses.-
The blood of the people is pulsing quite too
fast for health and safety.
We are drifting sadly, terribly away from
the old landmarks and from every beacon of
sense and security. What madness has
seized upon the people? How farare these
things to carry US?
It is the natural tendency of republican
government to produce extravaganza
When one man of poverty is held as great as
his neighbor of abundant riches, the poorer
man is tempted to make as great display
as he wlo can afford it. Young men are
carried away with the mania and make
fools, if not scamps, of themselves.
Acquiring fortune by the old and legili-
mate way is quite too slow. The more
honorable callings and professions are de-
serted for the more expeditions roads to for
tune. And so the nation is cursed with
race of crazy money-getters instead Of noble
minded men, who are content to work and
live as common sense aud the claims of good
citizenship urge that man should live
The dignity and refinement of womanhood
is also too sadly sacrificed, and eztrava-
ganoe becomes the curse--the burning
curse-of the nation.
The real extent of the extravaganza Of
the people is doubtless but little known.-
That outer cloak of display which the null
titude can see is not 1.-THE Of the real ex-
cesses. Men that have but small incomes
feel that they must live syitbin limits Of
style and location which they know IS be-
yond their means. The fact is, great
part Of the evil attaches to men Of small
means. We find fault with the wealthy for
their useless, wicked waste and unfortun-
ate example. but their mistake is not so
great and their conduct not so blameable as
that of the other and larger class who
knowingly live beyond their means. Here
in is the supreme folly of the hour.
Not content with living in a quiet and
careful way, young men rush to the cities
and soon are seized with the fever for
money getting and display. They are
taught excesses. and extravagances which
tend well nigh to their ruin.
They drift with the tide, and soon are
living beyond their means, all for show and
name. Fashionable women" too often
encourage them in their foolish course, and
instead of safe and economical men we have
excited and Seckless spectators. Fortune
must be made IN some way. or the man
/ GOuSiQEIA Hlluocll VI l4lllo dCCDAubs Ills
soul is of secondary consideration; perhaps
never thought of at all. He has no time
/ for the development of his hear; and head,
no time for public and benevolent enter
prises. He must maintain his place IN $50
ciety," go to given number of parties, and
live up to "polite" standard of expense
and enjoyment. Strange, passing strangel
As though young man could make his
way faster by assuming airs and position
beyond his right to claim.
We have no heart to dwell upon indie
cencies which French demi-nasnde fashion
has been thrusting upon US. It is a shame
to every respectable woman in the land that
the customs Of French prostitutes should
be foisted upon our people by French mil.
liners. The extravaganza and shameless
ness of too many of the women is astound
ing.
Once, young women were the inspirer;
Of economy and provident care, and young
men could hope to have homes, by due dill
gence, before the best part of their lives wal
thrown away in the wear and tear Of busi
ness. Now, matrimony is almost out Of th'
question except one of the parties is verl
wealthy, or both are content to be ver7
poor. This is one of the most unfortunat
results of the shameless, cruel extravaganza
OF the times. and an evil which is likely t
prove bitter curse to the country.
There IS but one road to happiness AM
prosperity, for either individuals or a na
ton. that Is economy and faithful persist
ence IN the legitimate paths OF business
The riches that come in an hour general.
so in an hour, and do more harm than good
Hence we call upon all good psople to unit
in an effort to stay the tide Of wild excess
Let all befriend and encourage those wh