Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-05-14

OF the OCCASION, which we DO with an express
lon OF the opinion very generally entertained that every
hing went oil with great eclat-.dread.
Of Geo. W. Bassett, Chairman of the .Monu. !
mental Committee, TO The President of the United
States, upon the occasion Of laying The Corner Stone
81 me Monument to the Mother Of Washington, May
7th. 1883:
In the name of the Monumental Committee, l presen,
you, General, the plate which is intended to distinguish
mat stono Gust adjusted by the Master of the Lodge,) as
NE corner stone OF this pile. l am happy, Sir, that he,
has defended his Country's rights, when periled i'm
The cause OF ireedom; her Cities when the naughty foe,
oil success, pressed eagerly to seize their beau.
~ and their booty; has bled Tor her, risked life, fortune.
anu honor, In her cause, is here 10 add to the honors OF this
occasion, who so meet to make a pilgrimage to this
which crowns tho corner of a Monument to the Mother
" ashingtoh, as he who now occupies that exalted sta.
ton, first filled by the Son of that Mother.
Let the OCCASION, General, snd its circumstances ex.
cuse this, while we turn 10 remark more immediately on
the object oil our present regard. Ii we look 10 he page
OF History, or survey the Earth, We see u onuments have
guished 10y The happening OF some great event, or risen
as memorials OF the once active virtues oil departed worth.
= ran man is ever apt to iorgetthe past aud seek me- hone
OF pleasure in the future He seldom learns from expe-
rience OF others the means OF attaining what he aims al,
anu 100 often stumbles over a new and unbroken tract.
oil the brightest effects by which he nigh
trace his road To those distinctions, after which natural
desire so arden ly tolls. Hence enlightened posierity can
nonihe the fame OF their ancestors by emblems the most
INITIATING their minds can devise. or their pow ers exrcue.
Such IL or constitution that the strongest appeal to our
better feelings is through the medium of our grosser
faculties.
Thus Monuments are lasting incentives with those who
wow them, Initiate the virtues they commemorate aud at.
tam, Their lie aud spirit, glory aud honor. Nations shst.
IN the common sympathies OF nature and participate i'm all
Tie honors heaped upon their mighty dead. In looking
upon this monument (raised chiefly by the nun fcence
oil a patriotic individually the citizens OF these States will
remember, mat they are brothers. They will remember
mat here lie The ashes OF the Mother oil q The Father of
his county"
They will acknowledge, too, this just tribute to the me-
rits Of her, who, early deprived OF the supper, Of her
ConsOft, encouraged and tOStered by preccpt and .x.r,,i,
The dawning virtues of her illuslrious Son, and nurtared
maturity those noble faculties, which were the orna.
inent and glory OF her waning years.
They will acknowledge the ballowcd character of this
spot, ever to be remembered as The place chosen
Tor her private dcvo'ions; the spot TO which she often led
her offspring and, pointing to the order and beauty of the
WORKS OF nature here so eminently displayed, taught their
you,h'u' minds TO contemplate the power and benevolence
me great Author oil their being. Here she taught the
oil God, that to him, as their Creator, all praise
beionged-that TO glorify him was the object of their crea.
non, and TO this end their every energy should be de devoted.
nlere she asked, as a dying request, that her mortal re-
mains might rest. Hallowed be this wish-sacred This
as time this Monumen!-Lc us cherish tho
remembrance of this hour-Let us carry with us hence.
on our hearts. the memory of her, who il here
inferred. Her forttude, her piety, her evety grace of
me- her sweet peace in death, through her sure hope Of a
blessed Immortality.
II PRESIDENTS REPLY.
SIR; 10 you, and to your colleagues of the Monumcn-
TAI Committee, L return my acknowledgment for the
KIND sentiments you have expressed owards me-. and for
me ha''eiing terms in which they have been conveyed.
cannot out feel that L am indebted TO your partiality, and
not TO any services OF my own, for the warIn-hearted re.
ception you have given me. On this occasion, AS well az
OH many DINERS, IN the course of a life now drawing to-
wards It's close, i have found the confidence and attach
ment oil my c~ountrymen as far beyond my merits as my
expectations. ~
We are assembled, fellow. cilzens. to witness and n ,s.
sist IN an interesting ceremony. More than a century
has passed away, since she, TO whom this tribute of re.
sPect Is about TO be paid. entered upon the active scenes
lille. A century fertile i'm wonderful events. and in
distinguished men who have participated in them. OF
these events, our country has furnished her full share: and
1' %eS' %', sa gas .a.. %s IN w sas h Sss pr is pesc q aAs 6rs; e.
The hearts OF his countrymen,'' we may say, without the
OF national vanity, that if not the first, he was in
very front rank oil those, too few indeed, upon whose
career mankind can look back without regret, and whose
memory and example will furnish themes of euiogy for
The patriot, wherever free institutions ave honored and
His was no false glory, deriving its lustre
from the glare oil splendid and destructive actions, com.
in professions OF attachment 10 his country. and
In the subversion of her freedom. Far dife-
rent ! the radiance which surrounds his name and fame.
IL shines mildly and equally, and guides the philanthro.
pist and citizen in the path of duty-and it will guide
hem long after those false lights, which have attracted too
nuch attention., shall have been eXiinguished in darkness.
In the grave before It's lie the remains of his mother.
Long has 1t been unmarked by any monumental tablet,
out not unhonored. You have undertaken the pious duty
erecting a column to her memory, and of inscribing up
IN 1t the simple, but affecting words, MARY, THE Mo.
rHER OF WAsHINGroN." No eulogy could be higher
ma 1t appeals TO the heart OF every American.
These memorials Of affection and gratitude are conse
rated by the practice OF all ages and nations. They are
riOutes OF respect TO the dead. but they convey practical
essons oil virtue and wisdom 10 the living. The mother
md son are beyond the reach of human applause. But
he bright example of parental and fliaI excellence
which their conduct furnishes, cannot but produce the
most salutary effects upon our countryman. Let their ex-
ample be before us, IRON the first lesson which is taught
he child, TIL the mothers duties yield TO the course of
and action, which nature prescribes for him.
Inc address, which we have heard, portrays in lust
colours this most estimable woman. Tradition saws. that
me character oil Washington was aided and ned,
u not formed, by the care and prccepts OF his mother. She
was remarkable for the vigour of her intellect and the
lFmness oil her resolution. Left in early life. the sole ma
ent oil a young and numerous family, she devoted herself
win exemplary iidelity TO the task of guiding and educat.
hg mem. WIN limited resources, she was able, by care
ana economy, 10 provide for them and to ensure them a
respectable entrance upon the duties of life. A firm he.
lever In the sacred truths Of religion, she taught its prin-
cipies to her children and inculcated an earlv obedience
lis inJunctions. Ii is said by those who knew her ini-
nd'eIy tnat she acquired and maintained a wonderful as
over those around her. This true characteristic
genius'auended her through life, and even i'm its decline
aiter her sou had led his country to independence, and had
been called to preside over her councils, he approached
her with the same reverence she taught him to exhibit in
early youth. This course of maternal discipIine no doubt,
the natural ardour of his Temperament and con.
IeFreh upon him that power of self which was
ohe oil the most remarkable traits OF his character.
In tracing TIE lew recollections which can be gathered
her principles and conduct, it is impossible TO avoid the
that these were closely interviewer with the des-
iny oil her son. The great points OF his character are before
Ihe world lie who runs may read them in his whole Ca
as cl'zen, a soldier, a magistrate. He possessed
an unerrlng Judgment, il that term can be applied 10 hu.
man nature-greatP robity of purpose, high moral princi.
pies, perfect selt-possession, untirinp appIication. an on
mind, seeking information from every quarter. and
az lis conclusions with a full knowledge of the
SUBJECT ana he added to these, an infe xibiHty of resolu.
non Which nothing could change but a conviction of err
LOOK PACK at The life and conduct OF bis mother, and
neT domestic government, as they have been this day
by the chairman of the monumental committed
md as they were known to her cotemporaries and have