Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-10-22

How is that virtue To bs inspired? Bona
,inrte once asked Madame dc Slael in what
manner he could most proinoic the happiness
of France. lIor reply Is full OF political
WISDOM. She said instruct tic mothers
of the French peoVle." Because the mothers
are the aflsciionnte aud the effective teachers
Of The human race. The mother begins TINS
| process of training with the infant IN h'r
! arms. Ii is she who directs, SO to speak, us
Il first mental and spiritual Pulsailons. She
conducts II along The imprcssiolc years o'
II chidlno0 sud of youth, aud hopes 10 deliver
II il to the rough contests and tn'nnltuons
scenes OF life armed by those good principles
| which her child mas first received from mater
! nal care and love.
II If we draw within the circle Of our con-
H templailon the mothers OF a civilized nution,
| what do we see? We behold so many artif
Gers working, not on frall and perishablc
matter, but on The immortal mind, moulding
and fashioning beings who ure To exist for
ever. We applaud The artist whose skill and
genius present the mimic slan upon the can
vass-we admire and celebrate the scul ptor
who works ont that same image in enduring
marble--but how insignificant sre these
achievements, though the highest and the
ialrest ~ all the departments OF art, ~ COM
parison with the great vocation of human
mothers! They worknot upon the canvass
that shall fail, or the marble that shall crum-
lIe into dust-but upon mind, upon splril,
which Is To last forever, and which Is TO bear,
for good or for evil throughout It's duration,
the impress Of a mothers plastic hand.
have already expressed the opinion, which
all allow TO be correct that our security for
the duration of the free Institutions which
bless our country, depends upon the habits vi
virtue and the prevalence OF knowledge and
of rducu,ion knowledge does not com
PRISE all which is contained in the larger
term of education. The feelings arc to be
GlscipIlned-the passions are to be resigned
true and worthy motives are 10 be INSPIRED
IA profound religious feeling is 10 be IN.
siillcd, and pure morality inculcated under
all circumstances. All this IL comprised IN
education. Mothers who nre faithful to this
great duty, will tell their children that nci-
ther in political nor in any other concerns OF
life, can nan ever wiihdraw himself from the
perpetual obligations Of conscience and of
duty that IN every act. whether public or
private, he Incurs just responsibility; and
that IN no condition is he warranted ~ trl-
fling with important rights and obligations.
They will Impress upon their children the
truth, thai the exercise Of the elective fran
chise Is social duty, Of us solemn nature
as man can be called 10 perform; that n man
may not lnnocenily trihe with his vote that
every free electnr ~ n trustee as well for
others as himself; and that every man and
every measure he supports, has all important
bearing on the interests of others as well as
Oh his own. IL is IN the inculcstion of high
and pure morals such MS these, that in free
Republic. woman performs her sacred duty.
and fufls her destiny. The French as you
know, are remarkable for their fondncss for
sententlous phra see, in which much meaning
is condensed into small space. | noticed
lately, on the title page of one of The books
Of popular instruction in France, this motto
"Pour instruction on the heads of the people :;
you owe them that baptism" And certainly,
if there be any duty which may be described
by reference to that great institute Of re
ligion, duty approaching it IN Importance,
perhaps next to 1t in obligation, it is this.
know you barely expect me to address
you on the popular political topics Of the day.
You read enough--you hear quite enough on
these subjects. You expect me only I" moe,
you, and 10 tender my profound thanks for
this marked proof Of your regard, and will
kindly receive the assurances with which |
tender 10 yon, on parting, my atfec,ona,e
respects and best wishes.