Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-10-24
The syali5r.rAii,


that garment for male persons, known as
the swallow-tail, is making an aggressive
advance on our American social system.
And our apprehension is not unmixed with
alarm, for the swaliow-tail is foreign
feature, and Is alike the badge of nobility
and servitude. The English lord, of Ger
tain class, the English snob Of all
classes. and the English hotel waiter, all
wear the swallow-tail as a common uni
form, so that il really means nothing, and
may be worn or not as one pleases. There
is, therefore, no reason why Americans
should succumb to its aggressiveness
1t is neither comsly nor comfortable.
Ii is not coat 1t is simply badge. Ii
is poor imitation of the upper portion OF
a court suit, in which a man must be ar
rayed who is presented to Queen Victoria,
and when the United States sovereign is re-
Quired to wear this garment at dinner,
wedding or a reception, he should respect
fully decline TO do so, if he wishes to. That
is to say, the aggressiyeness Of this bit of
waiter costume should be resented and re-
" uhAN'o ~ SSShio w. s'N4A-
TO be becoming, in their own Individual
cases.
For il is quite true that in certain cases,
the swallow tail is becoming, and therefore,
in such cases, may be worn with propriety.
There are men who appear better, more
graceful, more appropriately at
tired, in swallow tail than in
any other kind Of coat. As
matter of course men OF this sort should
wear it. without molestation or criticism.
And herein is illustrated an important fact
as to attire, in general: namely, that no one
style of coat should be prescribed for all
men alike, for the simple reason that no one
style of coat will become all sizes, shapes,
compilations and styles Of men. The double
breasted frock is nearer the universal coat
! than any other; yet there are men who would
appear as grUtesque in Prince Albert as
some others would in a swallow-tail.
There has been an advance movement as
to styles of male attire during the past few
years. Certain leaders of men in this coun-
try have recently asserted their natural and
constitutional rights by wearing, OH all oc-
casions, the styles of clothes most becoming
and comfortable-and.I let it be added, most
good taste in the requirement that, at a
public reception, all the men, large or small,
tall o. short, tat or spare, light or dark,
shall be uniformly arrayed in swallow-tail
coats, of a gloomy black. There is cheerful
variety Of colors and styles in ladies' attire,
for the ladies are really more independent,
as they are certainly more tasteful and
handsome, than the men, and they show
their good, sterling qualities by perssting
in wearing that which best promotes their
attractiveness. If not comfort. Men should
follow their good example, in this respect,
and in all places should wear garments, es-
pecially suited, in color and style, to their
forms and compilations, and to the sur
rOundings. This is right that is con-
ceded by all persons of sense and considera-
ton.
Much is said of the requirements of so
ciety, in this respect. There are no
requirements of society that are enforced,
or enforceable, except such as require CON-
mon decency. There is no such thing as a
society" which issues edicts that are
obligatory. We have in America a variety
Of societies, OF social elements, and no one
Of these has any authority over the others.
This is as 1t ought to be. The little groups
of pretentious people who form \ revolving
ring of balls, parties and receptions, in any
locality, assume to call themselves ''soci
ety. and attempt TO dictate tc
other people, merely make them
selves ridiculous. They are no
''society"-but only u society-one amoni
maryland by no means the best II they
choose 10 sport badges common among snOb,
and servants no one has right to complain
but when they assume to dictate that other,
shall follow their example In this respect
then there will be protest and resistance
The average American citizen will not, il
any circumstances, wear the swallOw-tail
He is not that kind Of a bird. II it become
him, on certain occasions, he will be indie
pendent enough 10 wear it. But il in his
judgment, il does not he should be indie
pendent enough not ts wear it.