Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-06-05

"iNS 'hS'i iOuS uilGi ttioSO Nhitu
have attracted too much attention, shall have
been extinguished in darkness.
In The grave before US lie the remains of his
mother. Long has it been unmarked by any
monumental tablet, but not unhonored. You
have undertaken the pious duty of erecting a
column to her memory, and of inscriblng upon
il the SIMPLE but affecting words, "MARY, THE
MOTHER OF WASHINGTON" No euogy could
Ioe higher, and it appeals to the heart of every
American.
These memorials of affection and gratitude
are consecraied by the practice of all ages and
latons. They are tributes Of respect to the
dead, but they convey practical lessons of vir-
tue and wisdom to the living. The mother and
son are beyond the reach of human applause,
But the bright example of parental aud tiial
excellence, which their conduct furnishes, can
not but produce the most salutary effects upon
our countrymen. Let their example be before
rs, from he first lesson which is taught the
child. till the mothers duties Weld to the course
"t preparation and action which nature pre-
,scrihes for him.
The address which we have heard, porirays
in Just coors this most estmable woman. Ira
dition SAYS, that the character of Washington
was ulucu anu Slrtn8tiltnSus IL Hot iOiiilou, W
the care and precep,s of his mother. She was
remarkable for the vigor of her intellect, and
the firmness of her resolution. Left IN early
life, the sole parent Of a young and numerous
family, she devoted herself with exemplary lide
lily to the task of guiding and educating them
With limited resources she was able, by care
and economy, to provide for hem, and TO en-
sure them respectable entrance upon the du-
ties of life A firm believer in the sacred truths
of religion she taught its principles to her chit
dren, and inculcated an early obedience to lis
njunciions 1t is said by those who knew her
Intimately that she acquired and maintained "A
wonderful ascendancy over those around her
This true characteristic of genius attended her
through life. and even in its decline, after her
son had led his country to independence, and
had been called to preside over her councils
he approached her with the same reverence
she had taught him to exhibit in early youth
This course of MATERIAL discipline, no doubt
restrained the natural ardor of his tempera-
ment, and conferred upon him that power OIL
self command, which was one of the most re-
markable traits of his character.
In tracing the few recollections which car
be gathered of her principles and conduct, 1t is
impossible to avoid the conviction that these
were closely interviewer with the destiny Of
her son. The great points of his character are
before the world He who runs may read then
| in his whole career, as citizen, soldier, d
magistrate. He possessed an unerring judy
ment, if that term can be applied to human ma
'ure; great probity of purpose, high moral prin
cpes, perfect self possession, untirng applica-
lion, an enquiring mind, seeking information
from every quarter, und arriving at its conclu.
sions with full knowledge of the subject; and
he added to these an inhexibiity Of resolution
which nothing could change but a conviction
of error. Look back at the life and conduct
of his mother, and at her domestic government,
as they have been this day delineated by the
chairman of the monumental committee, aud
as they were known to her contemporaries and
have been described by them, and they will be
found admirably adapted to form and develope
the elements of such a character, The power
of greatness was there, but had it not been
guided and directed BY maternal solicitude anC
Judgment, is possessor, instead of presenting tt
The world examples of virtue, patriotism, and
wisdom, which will be precious in all succeed
ing ages, might have added to the number o.
those master spirits, whose fame rests upon the
faculties they have abused and the injuries
they have committed.
| How important to the females ofour country
are these "reminiscences of the early life OF
Washington, and of the maternal care Of hel
upon whom its future course depended. Aztec
ton less regulated by discretion, might have
changed the character of the son, and with il
the destinies of the nation. We have reason
to be proud of the virtue and intelligence of oul
females. As mothers and sisters, and wive:
and daughters, their duties are performed with
exemplary fidelity. They, no doubt, realize
the great importance of the maternal character
aud tho powarfnl influence it must exert upor
the American youth. Happy is 1t fol ,hon
and our country that they have before then
his ilusrious example Of maternal devotion
and this bright reward of flial success. Th'
mother of a family who lives to witness the vir
tues of her children, and their advancement il
life, and who are known and honored, shoult
have no other wish on this side the grave, IL
crafty The seeds of virtue and of vice are
early sown, and we may often anticipate thu
harvest that will be gathered. Changes NJ
doubt occur, but let no one place his hope upor
these. Impressions made in Infancy, If not in
de!ible, are efiaced with difficulty, and renew
ed with facility; and upon the mother therefore
if not generally, depends the fate of the son.
Fellow Citizens, this district of country gave
birth to Washington. The ancient Common