Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-10-16
WOMEN, FASHION AND BIRDs.
Three Bright Subjects Treated In An Interes
log NenspAnsr Artlclc.

Three Bright Subjects Treated In An Interest
log Newspaper Article.
From the New York Tribune.
Much surprise aud uniavorable comment
has been caused by the announcement that
the fashion in women's headgoar this fall aud
winter would demand a renewal of the mas
sacre of birds which has evoked so much in-
dgnsnt protest Those who shrink from
hasty conclusions have probably gone some
where near the mark i'll surmisiug that this
apparent studied defiance of enlightened pub
lie opinion must not be regarded a a cynical
manifestation of Indifference both to public
censure and the sutleriugs OF the innocent
birds, but that il probably is attributable to
one OF those trade movements which are
often behind changes in fashion. Ii the
world knew how much il was led by the
nose III these matters ii might be sbamed
into more. indepen deuCe. Ii is an undOubt-
ed fact that the habit OF blind imitation which
is called following fashion enable a great
many people to grow rich whose bank ac-
counts would tie much seHderer did the pub
lie only buy new things when they really
needed theul. In the case OF the birds the
rational presumption is that the purveyors of
fashion have been caught with stocks on
their shelves ana have forced the hands of
their customers by decreeing the continued
use OF plumage, To save themselves from
loss.
If this proves the true explanation OF the
case there will evidently be less ground for
Indignation and alarm than the friends of hui
manity at present think. But there will be
some reason tor uneasiness, for the triumplIs
OF foolish or cruel fashions depend upon the
chronic thoughtlessness of these who adopt
them, and this chronic tdoughtlessuess does
not seem TO diminish in volume. Moreover
there Is not much eriiencs of A really wide
spread revolt among women against the bar
barlty of the bird massacre. Societies have
been formed TO discourage the ornamental
nS "a nt 1Fll aNI sh..'r
may judge irOm what is constantly visible on
the streets, they have not much Influenced
feminine action. Ii too the manipulators
and inventors OF fashions know what they
are ABOUT at preSent-and they doubtless
have had great NpeTieDce-they must count
confidently upon the CtrelesSness of the ma
Jorlty oil the women VINO patronize them, for
The sentimental and ethical considerations
involved. Nor can il be overlooked that
Whatever the true eX PLANTATION OF the present
bolu attempt To revive fashion so emphati.
cally condemned by good taste, public opin-
ion Will ultimately, aud not unwarrantably,
hold accountable the women who, knowing
the construction liable to be put upon their
action, yet persist IN encouraging the cOntin-
uai use of birds for decorative purposes.
For 1t is plain that il women really want to
stop the abuse they can do so, and that they
can do so without organization or concerted
action OF any kind. After tha EXHIBITS which
have been made o. the wantOn aud mischiey-
Gus destruction OF BIRDS no woman who pre-
tends to intelligence or education has any ex-
cuse for wearing birds or p.umags in her hat
or bonnet To do 50 ia face of all the pub
ilShed facts IL TO eEI def4uCp, or so il
may be interpreted ; aud defiance, unfOrtu-
nately, OF the very principles, influences and
tendencies which II ~ th" special function OF
woman 10 support aud defend IN every way.
1t is not to be believed that the intention OF
such defiance enters seriously into the
minds OF any considerable number of women
To suppose that would ne to condemn them
by implication in ad vance. But thOughtless-
ness often stimulates active vice OF sentiment.
and II seems to he doing IN this case
Women who think will. however, see quick
~ the line OF duty in tire premises, and they
VIII be apt to resent :. rougiy and in practi.
cal way the selfish ana hard commercial
spirit which apparently underlics the move.
ment to revive q fashion so properly de-
nounced as cruel, barbarous and unclvilized