The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-10-06
DRESS, WOMAN's FREEDOM, ETC.
BY MRS. S. HEwEs, NJ. D.

Permit me to say word in regard to
woman's dress. 1t is a familiar saying
that it congresses and restricts the free
and normal action of vital functions,
thereby embedding and deteriorating
the physical and mental condition of
our American women.
We become slaves to the fashions of
the day. Perhaps the only publication
subscribed for, or read by many a
mother of a family, or by the young
miss, is ladies' fashion book, which
brings fresh installment of f1ounces,
puffs, tucks, and ruffles each month.
Suppose you discard this, which tends
to enslave and cruelty you, for some
health journal that will help to make
/ you free. Dress is one of the prin-
cipal hindrances. to woman's freedom.
AS to fitness, grace, propriety, delicacy,
simplicity and proportion, all are out
ragged. The belle of the times, it is
said, is one panorama of a1gfuL surprise.
Her clothes characterize her, she is up
holstered, and her dress has not one of
the attributes of nature nor of proper
art. She seems a sort of Jazzle of
broken effects. Custom has reconcied
US to these strange figures, but years
hence our children will look upon them
with astonishment. Such an amount
of time is taken, and such waste of
ipt,o1NyaH In aIiuotino ha
manifold mysteries of dress, that but
little time can be given to higher OU
jects.
This reaching out after fashion, dress,
flowers, colors, variety of patterns, the
trivial light fancy work, ETC., only
proves that woman's intellect must
have some object on which to spend it's
force. We would disarm prejudice, and
bring women face to face with them
selves; let them see their present help
less, dependent inaction, bound up in
silks and laces, with bodies enfeebled
and intelIects dwarfed-these on one
hand, and what they might have been
with proper use and culture of the tai
ents which God has given them on the
other. Let US snap the chains which
have bound US, and step forth free;
raise up from the sleep of ages, and dare
to assert our own individuality.
This movement for the emancipation
of woman is based upon a structure
whose foundation stones are right and
Justice. 1t will succeed, because it con-
tains germ already bursting into full
bloom, and will continue to unfold, and
shoot upward to greet the sunlight Of
heaven. Think you, gentlemen, that
woman would dress the same, and fol.
low in her present walk, were she called
to responsible, practical, earnest reali-
) zation of the nobleness of position, oI
duty, of occupation and influence that
she might and must arrive at? From
r the practical knowledge of many brave
pioneer women who are doing noble
duty to-day, we answer, she would not
But, with practical unfoldment, with
, honored labor, and with suitable remu
neration for the same, she will robe hel
t person for the work. She will stant
by your side the true helpmate that na
: ture designed her to be. she will be a.
f the day star that will lead you to {
q nobler standpoint, and she will give t.
the world a superior race of men ant
: women that shall rise up in grandeu
and call her blessed. Yes, my brothers
g the time is at hand. This great ARA!
. = of aggrieved mothers is this hou
r knocking at your door. They ask il
e earnest pleadings to be admitted to full
: communion; to sit by your side; t
I stand by your side; to work earnestl.
q with you for the formation of more per
:, feet laws-laws that shall give equalit.
: to each and every one; to remove th
: heavy burden of taxation, and let tn
oppressed go free.