Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-06-27
Tho Rising Generation Of the South.

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The views contained in the subjOined arti.
Gle from the Richmond Whig, are 80 wise and
OpPortune, that We make NO apology Csays the
Winchester TInes, ind 50 say Ne) for their
insertion. They arc gilmore value to the peo-
pie Of the South, in their present impoverished
condition, than ten thousand disquisitions
upon the "neW departure )" aud We have No
doubt, if the heads of families, that hzve been
kept down to the grindstone since the war by
the extravaganza Of their households, could
be interviewed" they would speak more feel.
ingiy aud eloquently upon this subject, than
TOOnbs, Stephens or Greeley upon the pOlit-
ical matters which constitute the staple of
their discOurses. Now that the glory of Paris
the modern Iiabylon-has departed, and
she can no longer set the fashions for the
world, it IS to be earnestly hoped there will
be new departure on the line suggested by
the Wing. Let US be independent of foreign
fOOleries. Hear what the Wig says:
"When people are poor they are foolish to
attempt to live as If they were rich. The old
aud young, the males and females, of every
family which has the misfortune to be poor,
ought to bear the burden together, and ought
to work together TO Increase the common store.
1t there is but one working person in tho
family, and he is generally the father. his
nose will be kept at the grindstone from one
gears end 70 the other, unless he has 4 WE'LL
ordered household. The wife can greatly aid
him by her sympathy, by frugal management,
by cheerful temper, and by instilIing into
the young people lessons Of economy and in
dustry. To attempt to live as rich PEOPLE do.
when family is poor, is not only sham aud
cheat, but it makes the head Of such family
hopeless slave aud drudge, aud absolutely
petpetuates the poverty so sedulously sought
to be concealed.
We are, with few exceptions, all poor alike
IN tho South. Let Us not be ashamed of IL.
and not commit the folly OF increasing and
continuing il by contemplate shifts 10 hide II.
1t is an evil, but the way to conquer il is to
look 1t III the face; to go to work, and to prac.
tice economy. If all that an over worked
father makes is consumed in supporting sons
In idleneSs aud daughters in all the extray.
agance Of fashionable dressing and display,
what earthly prospect will there be of an i'm.
provement ia circumstances If the over
worked head of the family lives under all his
burdens, he lives to sec increasing helplessness
all around him in that family which ought TO
be 4 source OF comfort 70 hiIu. II he dies. a
victim TO his heavy burdens, he leaves behind
him sons unframed TO WOrk-poSsibIy of OK.
pensive il not dissiPated habits, aud dau.h.
ters without any resources whatever, aud mis-.
cradle because they cannot continue to keen
up the poor delusiOn that they are part aud
parcel Of the fashionable world.
40 situation in lilo can be more CALLING
than that OF poor family striving to hide its
~ hSya H. f..
made by It's members to keep up false show
were but directed to useful ends, the result
would he most prOpitOus. AS it is, all thew
can do is to keep their heads above water and
DC tolerated in the world of fashion. TO com.
pass this Pitiful end they pass through pur-
gatory. They sacrifice SelErcspcct, solid com.
tort and all the sacred duties Of domestic life
In order to get an uncertain and very humble
position in that society which is called fash,
iOnablc.
This is unworthy Of people who have
spark OF intellect. 1t will, if it becomes
prevalent among Us, be more disastrous even
than the war was. It will lasten poverty upon
US Tor successive generations and make US a
set of social cheats and humbuys.
1t tho"gh'less boys and giddy misses arc
allowed their way, they will, of course, keen
away from tho tasks Of life and seek only its
D"S AHCS OuShI not 10 De allowed
to have their way. They should be controlled
The boys should be brought up with the idea
that lille has its serious duties and response,
biIities. and that chief among them is The
courage to work; and the girls should be
taught that they cease 10 be the ornaments of
domestic life when they sacrifice every thing
to fashion and empty show.
Real gentility is something higher and no.
bier than mere fashion and genteel poverty
is far more respectable than the vulgar snob.
berry that so many weak minded and white
bIoodcd people cultivate ali their lives long.
1t will be an evil day for Virginia when
she becomes prey to snObbeIy. The high
rePute in which she has so long been held
was the result Of the solid virtues and the
true refinement of her men aud women.-
Mere fashion had nothing to do with it. Her
position will be anything but a proud one
when she has 90 point to the puppets of fashion
Is her best claims to consideration"
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