New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-21
JlVD TNEIJ,iIIDNS.

We have received two invitations winch we
are desired 10 transmit 70 the public VI men
and women in their purely social quality rs
desirable and much desired guests. The first
is from the Centennial COMMITTEES IN Phlladcl-
delphia who wish due notice given III al
vance of M Assembly to be held III that CITY
10 raise funds for the Centenary, ut which
Assembly the guests of both sexes are expected
TO appcar in the full costume of Revolutionary
DAYS. We have no doubt y masquerade so
dccorous will prove agreeable though monoto-
nous; though we would suggest that our Phil
adelphia friends shonld borrow the manners Us
veil a. the brocadcs of their :randmohrrS
for that NIGHT The fast belle Df rltth-aye.
or Walnut-st., deckcd IN The narrow skirt,
and cap of her severely virtuonS grand-aunts,
while she whirls in the waltz or talks 10 half
a-dozcn young fellows at once, - sight
which would rouse the ancient prudeS from
their graves 10 rcScue their chaste attire from
such PROCLAMATION. If our hO,tcsse, have WIT
and wisdom enough 10 offer lis for one night
not only the petlicoats and pulls of the Martha
Washington era, but the stately courtesy Of
the young men, the stiff prudence of the
young women, the Johnsonan talk of their
elders. rs they Ill walk -olemnly through the
minuet de la cour, they will have given us a
spectacle original and picturesque. and send
rs back with relief and fresh guStO to our
loose clothes and slang and sllp-Shod manners.
This persistence in the raising of money for
a great object by appeal 20 the one fOblc of
love of dress strikes us ~ amusing and note
worthy when we remember that our intended
hostesses are by report leading women, and
4 A..
ence to be acquainted with the characteristics
of their own sex. DO they mean to hint that
there il chord in the strongest feminine ma
ture which thrills responsive only TO clothes :
Ii is certain centennial committee of men
would never have devised change of coat and
trowsers to raise capital. We are encouraged
i'm this doubt by the second invitation which
comes TO us rs probable Lovers of Truth from
certain anxious ladies in New-Jersey vii
Iage and which we are desired TO extend
through The TRIBUNE to all Domestic Women.
The Domestic Woman, this circular informs
u.s. continues so aarmingly Indifferent to the
" Demands Of the Hour" because of her alb
sOrptiOn by the aforesaid petticOats and putfs.
We had grown gloomy under the old invec-
tiyes beaped upon tight-lacing and hoops, as
TO the future fate of women but now that
these evils are banished by fashion, and our
pretty rosy checked girls can walk the pave
ments with loosely flowing robes, broad soled
shoes and their own hair, IA fair and free IA
any sandaled goddess EuphrOsyne of them all,
we began to hope things had mended. But
alas, we are now told that not only Is Physical
VigOr destroyed by these loose redingotes, but
that Mental Strength is put to fight by the
shoes, and Moral Power stands no chance
at all before hair-plaits. 1t is also proved
that woman cannot make demand for
Equality with man unless she accumulates
"power by the use of the equality within
"reach," which we are forced to interpret
into the accumulation of such mental vigor and
social influence as may accrue from the don
ming of coats and trOwsers, equal to those of
the sterner sex. Lovers of Truth and the
effete Domestic Woman are therefore invited
to meet in Plum-st. Hall on two days of this
week. each wearing what, in her opinion, is a
Rational Dress, which, when adopted, is to be
made national as soon as possible.
We anxiOusly await the settlement of this
important question, and would only hint the
fear that after the Lover OF, Truth has decided
the mOmentOus problem, and battled with pop
ular prejudice for half lifetime in favor OF
her peculiar cut Of calico or mernO, she Will
not begin TO question whether she or the ordi.
nary wife have most suffered IN absorption"
into fashions of apparel.