The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-08
Sensible Suggestions Concerning the
Prosperity Of Fashion.

The fact that fashion exerts an all
important influence upon national pros
perity is strikingly illustrated in the
recent newspaper appeal to the mer-
chants, modistes and leaders OF style
on account of European agricultural
depression. Years ago. during the
popularity of the French Empress Eu-
genie, the ladies of Paris discarded the
bright and lustrouN fabrics made OF
English woods and substituted dull
material, manufactured principally of
foreign wool. English ladies followed
their example. In recognition of pa
thetic appeal the Empress gave. impet-
us to tbs revival of English textiles. not
only by requesting Partisan dressmakers
to advise the purchase of English goods,
but by wearing them herself on public
occasions.
In the present instance, an associa-
ton has been formed, and the promo
tiers have secured the cooperation of
the principal tradesmen and enlisted
the synpathies of world-renowned
court milliners and dressmakers in the
expressed hope that the revival of man
ufacturing industry will be accompanied
by increased prosperity to the landed
interest and the agriculturists general
ly, in Europe: The Times fashion ar
ticles have always advocated the changes
of style for the industrial benefits given
to the workingwoman specially, as well
as increased mercantile prosperity these
variations bring. But this appeal gives
still deeper insight into the necessity
of fashion, which bestows upon the fair
leader of style the enviable reputation
of patroness of industry and promoter
of national interests, which at once
compensates for the personal ruin of
father or husband in the depletion of
the family purse.
These foreign papers assert that few
people, except those engaged in our
textile manufactures, are aware how
fashion has aggravated the distress
which has prevailed in the agricultural
and industrial population of this coun-
try. Formerly the long haired wool
known as ''lustre WOOL was extensive
ly used in the manufacture of ladies'
dresses, producing material of beau
tiful texture. Then follow statistics of
the increase and decrease of the wool
trade, with an estimate of the total loss
to the wool farmers of the kingdom of
"nearly seven millions sterling"
Ladies of high rank, who form the
association above referred to, have still
further appealed to the leaders of the
London fashions. They state: The
unsatisfactory state of the English wool
en- industry, and the depression among
the manufactures, has occa-
stoned great loss to the wool growers.
Both classes assign a sudden change of
fashion rs the immediate cause of their
misfortunes.
Not very long ago reference was made
to the pathetic appeal of the silk weav-
ers of Italy to the ladies of France and
England. in which they portrayed their
su terings, caused simply by the adop-
tion of the wooden and cotton fabrics
and the limited demand for silk among
society women. and only year or two
ago, when imported birds were used as
bonnet decorations, ribbon manufacture
ers failed to employ the usual number
of hands, and hence the distress among
families of the ribbon weavers in our
very midst. And thus is trade ini1u-
enced by woman's caprice and fash
ions freaks.
Would it not be good idea for our
American ladies to take the same inter-
est in domestic Industries as the ladies
of France and England do in their ma
tlonal prosperityP The beauty and du-
rabIlity of American silk is universally
acknowledged; we have facilities for
being producers from the raising of the
worm to the manufacturing of the
choicest and most original fabrics, and
yet in some instances such is the absurd
prejudice against home creations this
silk cannot be sold here unless it is rep
resented to be of foreign brand, and is
marked at a higher price than is usu-
ally charged for silks made in our very
midst and sold by home merchants as
American silks. Why is this, when
these fabrics compare most favorably in
design, coloring and finish to the for
eign textiles, and are certainly superior
for their long wearing qualities?
In cotton and wooden materials the
same foolish fancy exists, and French
bunting. which will shrink and crinkle,
sells at double the price that an Amer.
lean bunting, which is really waterproof,
can command. The exquisite colorings
OF the cashmeres for spring and sum
mer wear, in the novel accidental
tints, cannot be excelled, and the hues
OF silks and satins, intended to trim
these wooden fabrics, form perfect
blendings, combinations or contrasts.
The cotton goods of home creation
come in the same designs, with just as
good finish as foreign materials at high
er prices. as in domestic ginghams and
sateens. which make up as stylishly
and wear as well as those imported.
Then why should our ladies decline to
patronize home industry and throw into
foreign treasures the money that would
extend our commercial influence and