Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-11
Reported for the VERMONT FARMER.
A PAPER ON DRESS.
Read In Grange meeting by Miss NJ. v.
Ainsworth.

Nc .
Ainsworth.
Resolved, That the rich ought to adopt
style Of dress within reach of the poor.
IL will be impossible for us to consider this
vast subject very generally IN a short essay.
We cannot mention all the evils arising
from extravaganza IN dress, and wo may not
be able 10 bring out clearly any plan by
which we may bring about mn improvement.
In fact we do not see reason TO hope that
there is to be any improvement. However,
we will regard the resolution MS expressing
the truth and present few thoughts upon
it. 1t is so worded that it gives n chance for
ambiguity relative to its meaning, or in 9TH
or words, there may be diversity of opin-
ion relative TO its meaning. There might
be discussion upon the question "Who are
the rich?" or GLOW much must man pos.
sess OF this world or It's goods to DO richp"
Or we might discuss tho question which as nat
ur.lly arises, "Who arc the poouP" or GLOW
destitute must man he to be poorP" II We
allow these questions we shall not discuss
one but many which could make the debate
almost endless. Therefore 1t becomes nee
essary TO define the question ms we under
stand IT and then consider it.
or course it would not be reasonable to
say that the man who counts his money by
hundreds Of thousands of dollars ought to
adopt II style of dress within the reach OF one
who has not dollar, and no means of OBJ
tanning it; aud yet, no one would say that
the first is not rich or the latter not poor.
From this consideration we must take the
resolution as meaning that those whose
means would allow them to dress in the
most costly and eXtravagant style ought to
adopt style within the means of those who
can dress neatly and comfortably, without
distressing themselves for other necessary
things. There are many who will say-and
say it from honest convicton-that man
should dress and dress his family according
TO his means. At first thought this seems
reasonable, but after mature consideration
we must conclude that 1t Is very far from
reasonable
The rich dress in very costly style, and
those who arc their equals in intellect, edu-
cation, and character may be unable to put
half the cost into their apparel, and for lack
of means they are ashamed to appear in the
society Of their equals, and because ashamed
they give up that society, thus causing di-
vision which never should be.
Many are excluded from the place of wor-
ship by this division and though they may
naturally like society, and feel strong in
clination 10 60 to the place of worship, they
feel that they are not welcome because of
| h.. LII, 81 thnt, rko,, III at
the rich have fostered pride by indulging in
extravaganza until they look upon aud al
most despise them. Now the poorer class
are not to be blamed for this feeling, but the
richer class are justly blamed for their UNI
necessary and cruel division. There never
should be any division in society save n sep
aration between the moral and the immoral 1;
the good and true, and the low and deceit
full. In other words, there should be no test
by which persons! standing in society i:
determined but the test of character But
every one knows that dress is made n test
quite us much rs character with u majority
of people, and those who are so extravagant
that they wear out their clothes before they
pay for them-if they ever pay--are often re-
garded with more favor than those who dress
more plainly that they may pay their honest
debts. 1t seems to us that this truth alone
makes it clear that the rich ought to adopt Il
style of dress within reach of the poor.
We will define our understanding of tn,
term extravaganza rs applied to dress
Whatever is expended for Stow. and to g
beyond some one else, seems to us extrava
gance. We do not say that all which IS no
necessary TO warmth and physical comfort
is eNtrivagant, Tor such position taken ant
followed out in all the affairs of life would
deny us the privilege of doing anything Il
crafty our taste in ornamenting or embel
fishing our churches, houses, carriages, o.
/, our persons. No motto would hang upol
our church walls, no pictures or painting
upon the walls of our sitting-rooms or par
Tors to make them CHEEKY. Our carriage;
would be painted some plain color without
stripe or ornament to please the eye, oul
clothes would have no trimming. Think o
n bonnet without even ribbon to dress it
But no more need he said upon this point
for it must be clear to the mind OF any tina
some ornament must be allowed in dress n!
in other things. Tor God has given us mind:
calculated to appreciate and enjoy thai
which is tasty and beautiful. Then we con
oudc that dress shoHld not be absolutel
, without ornament in the way of trimming
but that no trimmings should be used which
are too costly to be had by those who ar
able to dress neatly and comfortably. |
this position be taken the rich must neccs
sarily deny themselves many thing
within their means, TO prevent the evi
which is now so common OF one striving 4
excel another in dress, that they may stan,
II little higher in the estimation of some VIII
have not sense enough to know that the
never should judge of ,corh by dress. The
our conclusion is that we should dress com
fortably, Hastily, and well, and that the rich
est should do no more, and If they hay
, large sums of money that might be expcnd
ed for dress, let them oXpend it to cothe tn
honest poor who cannot dress comfortably
Who can say that such II change would no
be an Improvement and is not desirable?