The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-09-01
A SENSIBLE ARTICLE.
by John Temple Graves, the Orator and
Philosopher of Georgia

Below is reproduced an article from
the pen Of John Temple Graves, per-
haps the most eloquent orator and able
writer In the South. We indorse 1t
In toto, especially In regard to his ref
erence to the barbarous custom OF
tight corset wearing custom which
has caused smore misery and death
than any other one thing. Could
we make his language stronger
or more forcible on this one subject we
would gladly do so in order to strike a
blow against a great evil. Mr.. Graves
says:
l rejoice 10 the wave of common
sense that is sweeping over the gar
ments Of men.
The shirt waist is an aspiration 10
ward freedom. 1t must have tasteful
cultivation, amendment and adoption
to the masculine form. But having
once started, it is surely coming, and
with it comes an increase OF happiness.
comfort and vitality.
In this practical age reforms that
have comfort and common sense behind
them never 60 backward.
The twin state OF modern barbarity
In summer fashions are the black coat
and stiff collar upon men, and the in
quisitorial brutality OF the corset on
women.
Suspenders, black coats and stiff
shirts and collars make the summer
miserable for my sex. They tax the
vitality, affect the health, and facili-
tate the strain by which so many busy
men in this tense and strenuous age,
sink into nervous p~rostration before
the age of forty. 1t is a wonder that
reform has been so SOW in coming
along this vital line.
The corset was invented by a brutal
butcher OF the thirteenth century as a
punishment for a loquacious wife whom
he thought to silence by choking her
breath. The punishment became pop
ular owing to the frequency of the
~provocation, until at last the women of
the time pleased with the shape it gave
them, seized upon the idea and con
verted the punishment into q custom
which has continued ever since to com
press the vital organs, and make fac
cid the body muscles of the mothers OF
the race.
For these be things of fashion and
!, fashion rules the world-an arb,
trary, i~solent, selfish and incon.
, %sistent despot, forcing the myriad
shapes OF humanity Into the regu
lation garments suited to the pecu'
: liarities OF the arrogant few: making
men do what they would not do. aud to
r leave undore many things that they
would do; In whose hollow creed whal
: is deformity at Paris may be beauty il
D Pekin; the prodigal of waste, the
= spendthift Of honor, and the mother o
vanity, isy and deceit. .
> | always rejoice in the rebellion
which trample ii decree of This tyrapt
I and run W. over il, oppressive custom
the red flag Of insurrectinn and liberty
:, There was never in history any co
pie more graceful and beautiful tha'
the Greeks, or more dignilied and man
Nv than the Romans. Their flown,
draperies and their stately togas CON
: pissed ev, nv end OF beauty, grace and
dignity. The world has not progress
. ed beyond them, ard is travelling fas
. backward the ideal costume.
BYRON was the modern apostle an,
exponent OF the shirt waist, and tn
Byrouic collar is n model for the ne,
fashion that Is fighting its way to tn
Q front.
think the common sense Of tn
. world is behind the movement for free
o and cooler bodies for net and women
Ittink that health, %amiability, use
~fulness and civilization are TO be pre-
NOTED by reasonable dress reforms.
v | congratulate Governor Northe
/ and Burton Smith for their heroi
n charge against the breast works of lC
! cal prejudice, and will be glad TO folio
them 10 victory and comfort.
Up with the shirt waist.
OF with the corset.
Give the men liberty.
Give the women breath!