Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-03-30
THE LOW-NECKED DRESS.
rvEraKa spRfoBrLr CONTRIBUTIONS
ro rHEIIrsRArURkOF or DscoLLsrF



Belvs Lockwood, late candidate for th'
wbite House. firts m I'm answer 10 Mis-
,isvol.nd's se,sihlo ie,,e, What saws IN,
,vI,o,. n,,,., ,o,, T
"uo" 'o' w" ,.,
DEAR MISS ULhVtLANp-l mn ncaIuy
Rlad thM my friend ana coaoJ"tor, Eiixabeti
Cady Stanton, has opened the warfare on
allow necks and short sleeves" 1 would
.Jt !, A aiso TIM ,ra,,eJ .L,rt Vbiia IN.
- a, 80, -, a,
'a'neu shnt u unu"y' snav"s",5 .,s5 ""u u,
cr"wuod assempnes TpsitiVeiy vulgar, u Is
also undoubtedly In Its origin badge Ol
serviity. For years past I have viewed the
low mack and short sleeves In Washington
.,,c,o,, A., ,,,, h,,,., ,,., A., a.. ..o.,,.,, ,,,
,,,., 90 - . ,,' t,,o,,..,,,.,,..,,
"''' an' soo" schso U, 'he NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
women VINO gather at the national capital,
now the Paris of America, they would be
banished from polite and cultured gather.
ipgs and reieya,ed ,o ,ha balie, utri ar the
aan,an.o Tha ,.,,a. ,,r..or,,a ,ho coosIs,.
"o 'o' " WV
'ncy Oh parihg ths iegs ALSO
Your advent In Washington was hailed
with delight by the educated aud cultivated
women over the country, because IL was be-
i,aya,, ana hon.d that Won would introtuce
,-,,,,r,, .,.,,,. .o,or,,
supstanth', heai'n'"i M" '0"','o i''o, " u
In this regard, instead OF peinB uraWh into
tho maelstrom of unthinking, fashionable
moustrosities.
your p,sItiop and character as an edu-
,.,o, rt,I.,,,,, o, ,o,,a, . ,o,,ur.r /. ,o.cb.r
~ oa'ou WI '',' .o, ~. ~" .''1
FOR months aiter your accession to the
White House felt deeply impressed with a
desire and duty to see you and talk to you
ON this subject, and af,er nv return from
C.i,1,rnIa last ou,,n, Jid call Mt thu
,,s,', soins' , i"S' H'.u,", VIZ 49,, -
"hi'o HOUSE ior his P"Po' p"' 9"'
had not yet returned from your summer
rest, and l saw only Mrs Hoyt
So my good resolution WAS postponed,
while fashionable Washington has passed
through a season of gayety and extrava-
gsnee that reminds one OF the voluptuous-
ness and abandon that preceded the deca
denoe of the Roman empire. / am not crit
icislng your dress, nor In any manner in
tending TO mako my letter an offensive or
personal one, but desire conseientiously to
add my mite toward the correction OF a Gus
tom, tho tendency of which l believe to be
immodest, unhealthful and preposterous.
The custom sprang from the licentions courts
OF the old world aud the demi-monde, Mt n
lime in our civilization when womau's per
sonal charms, and not her mental or moral
development, won her way into favor in
masculine eyes, and at a time when 1t was
popularity believed that woman was created
for the purpose OF panderipg TO the lower
passions of men. DO not for a moment be-
iieye that q woman ever wears "a low
neck" and "short sleeves" To be seen by
other women. To show the absurdity of the
custom, suppose for one moment the presi-
dent Of the United States, or one Of his cabi-
net officers, a learned senator or member, or
one of the judges of the United States SUI
preme court or court OF claims should ap-
pear at q fashionable reception In such a de-
collette dress And yet, with their vigorous
constitutions and vigorous asceticism, they
are much better fortified to endure il than
the society belle or delicate matron.
Do we pray, 80 Lord, lead me not into
temptation; .'preserve my daughter pure
and spotiess," and then send her out from
the fireside into fashionable society In garb
that must not only continually preoccupy
her own mind with the existence and nature
OF her personal attractions, but fill every
beholder with the same thoughtsH
Nou say, in your published letter, al have
made that silent protest which 1t is every
woman's right and duty TO make, by having
my own dress waist cut in a style which, so
far as molesty is concerned, ] should be quite