, 1886-04-08
War on Immodcst Dress.

March 20th, on the subject of low
nscked dresses, We quote few cx-
tracts:
l am heartily glad that my friend
and eoadjutor, Elizabeth Cady Stan
ton, has opened the warfare on low
necks and short sleeves l would
add to it also the trained skirt While
tho trained skirt Is untidy, extrava-
giant, and in crowded assemblies, pos
ltlvely vulgar, il i also undoubtedly
in its origin badge Of serviIity.
For years past | have viewed the low
neck and short sleeve in Washington
society in the hope that in the grow
ing culture and good sense Of the
distinguished women who gather 1T
the national capital, now the Paris of
America, they would be banished
from polite and cultured gatherings
and relegated to the ballet-girl and
dRnseuse. The latter preserve the
consistency Of barring the legs also.
Your advent in Washington was
hailed with delight by the educated
and cultivated women over the cOun-
try, because it was believed and hoped
that you would introduce a sUbstGn-
tiRl, healthful. and sensible reform in
this regard, instead of being drawn
into the maelstTom of uutbinking
fashionable mOnstTUsItles.
Your position and character as an
educated Christian woman, lectur-
er, a teacher, a writer, led us to eX-
pect and hope for this. Fashionable
Washington has passed through Il
season of gayety and extravaganza
that reminds one of the vOluptuOus-
ness and abandon that preceded the
decadence of the Roman empire. |
am not criticising your dress, nor IN
any manner intending tc make my
letter an offensive or personal one,
but desire conscientiOUsly to add my
mite toward the correction OF Gus
tom the tendency of which l believe
to be immodest, unhealthful and pre-
posterous. The custom sprang from
the licentious courts of the old world
and the demi monde, at time in our
civilization when 4 wOmen's personal
charms, and not her mental or moral
development, won her way into favor
IN masculine eyes, and at a time when
it was popularly believed that woman
was created for the purpose of pan
dering to the lower passions of men.
Do not for moment believe that
woman ever wears low neck" and
''short sleeves" to be seen by other
women. To show the absurdity of
the custom, suppose for one moment
the president of the United States, or
one of his cabinet officers, a learned
senator or member, or one of the
y. s. supreme court or court should
appear at fashionable reception in
such a decollete dress. And yet.
with their vigorous constitutions and
vigorous asceticism, they are much
better fortified to endure it than the
society belle or delicate matron.
Do we pray, 20, Lord, lead me not
into temptation" preserve my
daughter pure and spotless," and
then send her out from the tireside
into fashionable society in a 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
thoughtsf
You say, in your published letter.
II have made that silent protest
which it is every wOman's right and
duty TO make, by having my own
dress waists cut in style which, So
far as modesty Is concerned, l should
be quite willing to have all women to
whom this style Of dress is becoming
and comfortable 70 follow" If you
should see a woman friend and com
panion drowning, would you consider
''ths silent protest that you were on
dry land sufficient to excuse you
from rescuing her3 IL companions
shom you had long known and loved
were discovered 10 be drifting into
vice aud immortality, would you, As a
ChrisliaL wosan. consider the silent
protest" % yobr own upright life q
sufficient excuse for not speaking 10
them o. the subjects III you should
see the beautiful and talented women
With whom ynu Ere surrounded vast
iag health and life, and filling early
grave. fgr vant ~ proper knowledge
=
would you consider "the silent pro
test II y0ur own vigorous health "A
sliiieieni discharge ui duty 10 deter
yuu fFum discussing with them this
81 imrafraat top.cl II | mistake
uat. voa Ers a practical psychologist
eel thrraaEhly understand tho ply
seal Effects 20 improper dressing,
whether che ,irres t.s coo short "a the
t1p. toH narrow in the waist, or too
sanr 30 the bottom. You add that
~thura 10 20 queen o. command
ksE EFfaarsu~s iB low c1r=age," and
get 0anau Victoria does upi rule hcr
eouFt uith more Hut1Cratic power
shan yca saHtrul the dresses ani
BANNERS 70 the iadi-, who assist you
~ yaur FeceVti0Hs aud who
Esszsass ta53ais foS the rest ~ society
4 F.ustsrn after Aou bad it in vour
usasr aH Yufr entrance o. the White
hsus~. o. haga thoroughly revolution
tHei ihr trcss % fashionable society
81 W sshingtnn.
lf tha ncwrpat,sr ard ofieial r..
fs1Fts af ihs dsgth 20 thc taleut,-i and
ssamabla Catherine Lrc BayaTi are
s1FFsef. sha died 20 l1s neck. short
sssasssi ifsHs, sIth trained skirt. and
. fssaionabbs reception. IL was no
prqsi,lrHsiai dIspzusatiun. hut n ea-
aFsEt violation - the lav of nature
sncisty = m1Tslly responsible Tor it.
A. thn Inauguration hall - Prcsi-
sagt 0aFGrii a baautifgi young girl
- Is summsfs--a deha'aute-ap
e-aarsN ~ - 80 - - - a1...y-..s
Lees thz1 one week found her in her
grave. tie fp.ult n a cold contract Il
= this exposure | mention these
isstancss only Rs well authenticated
ssmplss - sashiou's sacrifices in the
luas line of early graves. over which
the dsisiss are growing. 60 show the
gravity sni importance - this ques
tioG-
You state further that - fashioua
bls Soman'- l1w neck evening dress
a@si never be immUlpst" Can 1t
ever be otherwise than immuiest al