Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-02-28
For the VERMONT PARKER.
THE THRALLDoM OF FASHION.

i
break away from the thralldom imposed upon
us by that capricious and tyranical ruler Z
am aware that single voice in this con-
nection will be heard but short distance,
and perhaps these sentiments will find no re.
sponse at all they ought to, at any rate. The
American people owe it TO themselves to stop
moment and consider whittier they are
drifting and it should not be regarded as
an indication Of ofclose6stedness fer any man or
woman to lift up the voice in opposition to the
popular tide that is surely and rapidly hurry
ing thousands Of our citizens to bankruptcy, if
nothing more. am not in the least inclin-
ed to argue that we should be 80 wanting in
dscen: respect foT the opinions Of mankind
as to appear in public in clothing unbeftting
the occasion, or the circumstances, or the indi-
vidual this much we owe to each other.
But what we should bewail and condemn is
the blind rush all clases are making to see
how much money can be spent in decorating
the person, fine equipages, and style of
general magni6cence calculated to astonish
the masses, and especially outstrip ones
neighbors. Warmth in winter, GOODNESS in
summer, or comfort at any season are nou-
essentials. To spend money, to pile up the
ribbons, and stagger under the weight of
double skirts and laces-this is the point to
he gained.
What are some of the results Of this 7
Glance through the columns Of our leading
papers and you will read of the sudden
land unexpected of course) disappearance Of
Mr.. A. or Mrs. B.; little further down,
and nine times in twelve, you find that A. a
bank cashier, or b. confidential clerk, &c
had proved heavy defauter. each had
hitherto borne an unblemished character, and
no one dreamed Of this but close exam
eral extravaganza in living, quite beyond
fine income, led to the appropriation OF funds
that did not belong to them ;'-paragraphs
like these are seen far too often. What is
the result A fine business man is rendered
an outcast in business, his family dishonored,
and future once promising, almost assured,
is sacrificed upon the altar Of fashion.
How many Others think you, on account Of
business complications, from the same course
of living seek to mend their fortunes at the
card table or drown the remembrance of the
past in the mixtures Of the drunkard. This
may seem an over statement; 60 the broad
land over, and inquire into the want and mis-
cry of the nation, and then decide ii these
things be not true.
No man can start in life to-day and hope
to gain an honest competence, and educate
his family, unless he determines at the outset
to brave public fancy and buy such goods
and ride In in such style as he can Afford
to let his pocket-book make his purchases,
and not the "they say" of the community.
This business is understood by those in the
great fashion centers of the world, who make
their money by catering to this taste. They
know what is fer their interest. Each six
months or year the fashion changes so mate
rally that the old cannot be used. PIaids
this year betokeu stripes the next. Low.
crowned hats last summer are superseded for
winter wear by those so glaringly opposite
that bold is the damsel who dreams of re.
trimming her summer purchase. One sea-
son, cloaks the next, no one must appear in
anything but n shawl. And so it goes. The
wholesale dealers manufacture fashion, and
then rub their hands over the pile of green
backs an obedient public pours at their feet.
This should be stopped. 1t ought to be
that man or woman could wear servicea-
BILE article until it suited their convenience
to change it, and no deserving individual
should be driven from good society on ac-
count of last years coat or bonnet, to make
room for some conceited coxcomb who makes
himself walking advertisement for fashion,
able tailors (provided he is not engaged in
dOdging the attention Of his creditOrs).
firmly believe this folly will one day
come to an end, 1t must, or the consequence
es will be deplorable. The American peo-
pie stand at this moment in more danger
from a growing and widespread eItrava.
gance than we are willing to admit, and
when we come to realize that this national
weakness is filling our cities with DWELLING
places of infamy, our gamblng-tables with
its devotees our prisons and warehouses with
the bloody and the crazed, then it is that a
million hands will be raised to tear down the
idols our hands have reared.
w. W. HIGBEE.
| TborIofY. L.,