The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-09-21
Sflistellalleous,
gen. Houston om w oman.

The closing part of General Houstons
Nscogdoches speech is one Of the most elo
quen, tributes to woman we have ever reau'
The following is an extract:
"Ladies, | know that politics are always
unin,eresting to you, yet believe you have
in the general result an abiding interest. 1t
is always qualification to me to behold my
fair countrywomen in such Ossemblages as
these, It is q guarantee that their husbands
and fathers end brothers are men OF inteiil'
gence and refinement, who appreciate their
mental capacities. and desire their counte'
nance in their undertakings. Your pres
ence exercises "a calming Influence upon
those agonsms, which are too often en-
rendered in the heat of political contests
All parties desire your approving SMILE and
therefore all are encouraged by your pres
ence, know that in the direct admins
tra,ion Of political affairs you have no share;
but vet, reigning as you do, supreme in the
realm of love, your influence often controls
the destiny of nations. Woman's love Is
the great lever which arouses man to act'on'
The general, as he plans the s'rategeuc
ccmbina ions which are to insure victory
looks forward to a recompense dearer th0h
the laurels upon his brow; the soldier as ne
,rudges along on the weary march, or min
giles in the scenes of the battle tield' even
with Death around him, forgets awhile Inc
carnage, and turns his thoughts to the 'ono
Girl he left behind him; the mariner, tenn
nest tossed, driven by the rude waves sings
mertily aloft as he thinks of the little cot
tage by the shore where his wife and dear
ones await him; the statesman' as he de-
yises, amid deep and painful thought plans
of government, which are to tell upon MS
own and his country's fame, never loses
sight OF the joys which await him when
cabinet councils are over, and he enters the
portals of home; the sentinel, as he PAGES
his weary watch, loves the moonlight tramp
that he NAV look beneath its rays at the
dear memento of mothers or a sisters
love. Over man, 10 all his relationships,
the influence OF woman hangs like charm
Deurive US of your influence, which dignities
and stimulates us to noble deeds, and we
hecome worse than barbarians. Let it be
mrs. and we can brave the cannon's mouth
or face danger in ten thousand forms. You
stimulate all that is good. You check us in
,ignoble purposes. You have also an I'M
portsnt influence on posterity. The early
impressions which the child receives IRON
vou outlive oil the wisdom Of later days
sages moy reason, and philosophers mo!
teach. but the voice which we have heofd il
infancy will ever come to our ears bearing
mother's words and mothers COUNSEL
Continue to instil into your children virtu
and natriotism. Undue them with prope
venera,ion for the fathers of liberty. Lear
them to love their country, and to labor 10
its GOOD, as the great end Of their ambition
Bid them proudly maintain our lns'itu'lons
Point them to the deeds OF their ancestors
Make these their escutcheon, and bid theI
hand II down to their children as free froI
.,,;n "a 4 came to them. Do this, lade
and your influence will not be lost in tn
Iu,ure. In the language of the poet it wi
still be said:
UWoman 10 lovely to the sight,
And gentle as the dews Of even,
And bright as mornings earliest lighs'
And spotless as the SHOWS Of Heaven"