National Republican., 1876-06-02
MOTHERS DAY.
It's Celebration In ths Intsrss. of Pea,

Its Ceieorauon In ta9 interest OF Peace.
To-day is thu International peace festival,
known in all civilized countries as "Mothers' Day"
from the custom that has grown up since the
French-German war Of yearly assembly OF
mothers on the same day in the leading cities Of
the civilized world to protest against the custom
Of war, which robs them Of sons, husbands and
brothers, and TO appeal to public sentiment for
peaceful methods Of settling disputes between
governments. Since its institution the day has
been observed in London, Paris, Brussels, Geneva,
Rome, Constantinople, Calcutta and Melbourne,
besides many other places. Elaborate prepara-
tioDs have been made for its observance to-day in
Philadelphia and New York, and n meeting Is
also to be held this evening at 5l2 Tenth street
northwest, in this city, to which all interested
will be welcome. Tho exercises will consist Of
music, recitations and brief addresses by ladies
and members of Congress. Mothers who lost sons
in the war are specially invited.
NJ; The following communication from Mrs; Julia
Ward Howe will serve to impart further informa-
ton upon this interesting subject:
TO THE FRIENDS OF gEAcE-
Dear friends come before YOU for the fourth
time, with the request that the I'd day Of June Of
this Centennial year may be observed as n
wOman's peace festival wherever circumstances
shall render such an observance possible The
thought has often been presented to you, and in
various ways, that women have special work 70
do in the promotion OF this great cause of peace.
You do not need 20 be told that women should be
peace-makers, nor that when the excited passions
Of men cry aloud for blood the might of mother
hood should point the way to nobier conquests, to
the spiritual warfare which resists and oVerc0mes
what is selfish, sensual and demoniaeal in the
thoughts and objects Of human society.
This annual appeal, and the few quiet meetings
which follow il, may seem to many a very feeble
effort against
THE ARMED AND ORGANIZED POWER
makes savage life still more savage, and main-
tains the methods and principles Of ancient Dar-
barsm in the very heart of civilization claiming
to be Christian. But remember, dear friends that
the methods of religion are slow and simple. Her
true apostles do not strive nor cry. They SOW the
seed Of heavenly doctrine, and gather in the har-
vest Of conviction and sympathy. So to-day, in
the fields around me, the patient farmer scatters
the grain which the earth will seem to swallow
and TO hide. He knows that the life of a whole
generation depends upon this unobtrusive work of
his Let Us, dear friends, this year, heretofore,
that the Lord of peace and love viii multiply the
results Of our small efforts by his infinite power
and wisdom.
1 was unable last year
TO PUBLISH REPORT OF THE MEETINGS
held in various places on June 2. The expense Of
printing, for which there is no provision, was too
burthcnsOme for me, and had, as some of you
may know, a season of unusual care and anxiety
in my own family, eliminating in a severe attiic-
ticn. As no report has been made for last year,
will say here that the usual Mothers Day meet
1ngs were held in Boston, New York, Phladel-
pha. Jersey CITY, Dutchess county, New Bedford
and Wilmington, Del, and with the usual happy
results. In London and in Geneva, Switzerland,
meetings Of great interest were also held.
A GROWING DIsAPPRovAL OF THE METHODS OF
throughout this country shows that the efforts of
the friends Of peace have not been lost upon the
Among these efforts the associated |
action Of women is recognized as holding an i'm /
Portant place.
So my dear sisters, let the cheerful summons /
rosOund once more in your midst. Call together /
your sons and daughters, your speakers and
singers. Collect your flowers and adOrn your al
tars for this blOOdless sacrifice. He who came to
bring peace on earth will be brought freshly to |
your minds by this eommemoratiOn, and the |
spiritual presence promised to all who assemble |
truly in his name, will reveal to US new powers |
and new blessings in the future of our race.
JULIA WARD Howe
3Tremont Place, Boston. |
1t is recommended that at the various meetings |
o be held on Mothers Day, collection shall be |
ken up to defray expenses, part of which shall
,e applied to printing the reports of this years
meetings. |