Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1883-08-30
THE ARM CLUTCH.
Some Caustic and Father1y Remarks by
observer" with Some Georgia Opin-
ions on that Foreign Importation.
(CAarlotte Journal Observer. }

Since the article from your correspond
ent appeared several weeks ago, we
have noticed with feelings of pride and
pleasure that this disagreeable "arm
clutch" was but little indulged in
this city. We must now admit that
the warnings and admonitions of your
correspondent lasted but a short time,
and that this indecent custom is on the
increase. The writer was deeply NOR
tilted at a remark made by very in
telligent gentleman who had travelled
much, recently, in the South and
West. While he was complimentary
to our city as most active business,
enterprising place, with magnificent
churches and business houses, and ele-
CANT private residences, yet nowhere
in all his travels had he seen so much
of the "arm clutch as in our city, a
style and fashion more suitable to the
"soiIed doves' and disreputables of the
larger cities" The accusation was too
true to be denied. Now, ladies, can
there be an argument submitted in
favor of so indecent custom? It
cannot be better support while prom
enading, for the weak and delicate
never urge such an idea. It is the ac-
tive and robust who practice it most.
Then this must settle that point. Then
why will nice, cultivated and refined
ladies allow such liberties =? Why will
they willingly sanction such innova-
tions upon the cardinal canons of cul
tivated society?
It is the duty of every mother to as
sert her authority and protect her
daughter. If she quietly submits to
such familiarity, she indirectly sane
tions it, and must in the future share
the responsibility and bear the trou-
bles, modification and disgrace which
must result from it.
It is a custom which shocks the re-
fined, cultivated and moral elements
of the true female character, and de-
velops brute force and passion. Now,
ladies. we beg to present to you the
comments ofthe press, the true mirror
through wnfch you are reflected. The
following extracts are clipped from
leading journals
The "arm clutch" style has taken
but the very slightest foothold, and
that hy Eart.es who are the very ones
who. had best let it alone, and it is
right to crush it out entirely. 1t
should be noticed, written about, con-
demned, and spoken of as it deserves.
Not the first newspaper has urged 1t
upon any one, or advocated it, while
majority of those who do practice it
a. Tn, Il,
of it the Athens Banner Wateltman
says
"That sarm CLUTCH; that SO much is
being said of, has not become popular
in Athens. The reason is, our young
ladies are too modest for any such ia
miliarity."
Another paper, the Beaconsyille
Register, says: aWe have hitherto re-
Trained from writing a line upon the
EARN clutch fashion. No! we will
not call this too familiar and really in
delicate style of handling a female a
fashion, for upon examiningi into it we
find that outside of few married peo-
pie the style has been adopted by very
fast and very young men and very
thoughtless young girls
Eatonton Messenger: "The 'arm
clutch business has received a black
eye in Eatonton. Wei haze only three
cases to report for the past two weeks.
The sacIn clutch business is an indie
cency that should not be continued in
good society
Gainesville american zone of
our society young men tried the .arm
clutch on a young lady a few days
ago, but it wouldn't fit at all. She
only said, Eplease excuse me" and he
excused her. Next"
Fort Valley Ni9'ror-Adyertiser "a
few sporadic cases of the arm clutch
have appeared IN Fort Valley, but the
symptoms are not so alarming as to
preclude hope of ultimate recovery. 1t
does not seem to be spreading much,
but for safety's sake we suggest a rig
id quarantine.
Wrightsville Recorder "In our
opinion it cannot be too severely con-
demned, and we wish the press would
handle it with ungloved hands. We
were at preaching in Dublin on the
night of the 22d ult., and saw that it
had been introduced and was being
practiced by some of the young peo-
pie there, and more disgusting and
degrading familiarity we never be
held. We feel confident that such in
decent custom can never be practiced
withany of the young ladies of Wrights-
vile. We will believe, till proven to
the contrary, that the girls OF this
place have more self respect than to
blindly follow a fashion that leads to
such disgusting familiarity, and per-
haps to the disgrace of some"
Dublin Post "Come now brother
Peacock, and acknowledge that not
| more than ONE case came under your
observation, and that most pardona-
bic one. We dislike the practice as
| y,,.,aI, 90 xy1,, IL o-l mono - x,or,,o