Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-06-19


whole material universe, it is said, is made
up of circles of attraction and repulsion, SO
in society, there are little circles, each acting
and reacting on the rest the domestic circles,
of which the mother is the centre. Here
are the springs of nations prosperity and
greatness and glory. Whatever policy would
elevate the character of the nation, and there
by strengthen most lastingly the foundation
of the government, must look here. There can
be no public virtue without private virtue,
and christian morality will never charac-
teriZe the administration of government I'M
less they who are likely to be called to pub
lie affairs are formed by its teachings in
tenderest years with mothers plastic hand.
When Napoleon asked Madame de Stael
how he could most benefit France, she re.
piled, educate the mothers of the French"
When that distinguished woman uttered
this sublime sentiment, it was not only the
collective wisdom of civilization, it was also
the epitaph in q few words of those nations
which had persisted of their own indiffer-
ence and which lie buried beneath the OBJ
security of revolving years, as it was TO be
the great beacon light in the elevation and
refined progress of future generations
Athens rocked in the cradle Of divinity and
reared In the nursery of the gods, lost its
patriotism when her citizens sacrificed JUS
tice at the behest of Macedonian gold. The
name of Roman justice became mockery
when associated as it was with the vices
and disgraces of Claudius and the pecula-
tions Of Verres. England, grand in the re-
nown of her Eldon, her Erskine and her
Mansfield, looks back upon the pages OF her
judicial history blotted and blurred by the
dishonor of Bacon and the infamy of Jeffries
Nor is our Republic in this respect sans re-
proche,examples can be traced to the Crescent
city of the South and In the Metropolis of
the North where its most sacred institutions
have become Tie instruments of evil in the
heEds Of designing demagogues and polti-
clans. But amid all the innovations and
yicissitudes to which organized society has
ever been subjected-mid years of inferno
cine war-of dire disaster and desolation-
social ntegration-politcal overthrow
and financial ruin, Maryland has preserved
the purity of her institutions without stain
on the hem of her royal robes. This is due
TO the bravery and integrity of her manhood
stimulated, encouraged and directed by her
own intelligent virtuous, patriotic and glori-
Gus womanhood.
Young ladies, long addresses upon such
occasions are ever tedious and in poor taste.
i would, however, remark that my task
would be unfulfilled If failed to say few
words of praise in behalf of those who have
charge of Briarley Hail. In this respect,
| you have been especially favored, for you
have the most finished and accomplished
lady at the head, assisted by others who are
known to be thoroughly competent for the
discharge of their duties. Their calling is
high and noble, for they rule over the do
mnion of the mind and heart. In their
hands you are as tender plants, which it is
their duty to culture until in bloom and
fruition their labors shall have been reward
ed. Let them work upon generous soil, that
the harvest may be abundant BE true u
their teachings and you will be true To
others-be true to these and you will be
true to God and yoursef-for alter all, what
will your past life have been worth if its
reflections sweeten not your last moments
A word more. The arduous duties and
restraints of the scholastic term are over
with you. The pleasures and "reminiscences
of this evening will shortly be laid away in
the casket of memory. These walls which
have so often and long resounded TO your
mirth will soon be wrapt in the secrecy
of silence. The desks, which you have oc-
cupied and which have again and again lis
tened to your murmurings and complaints
will in few hours sit like some aged
mOurner weary with care and tired of life
| congratulate you upon your carly return
To your homes, where unclouded joys await
you, and to those softer walks where sweeter
thoughts come as gently as the fall OF the
shadows of the rose leaves on the marble
thoughts which sometimes shape themselves
into words and whisper
1.-TWO souls with but single thought"
3
leave to you, young ladies, the compile
ton of the couplet, heard it from the lips
of Parthena in the beautiful long-ago, and
even now its recolleotions steal over me like
the murmurs Of lost music. Had it have
been mine to have painted the colors of the
rainbow on which TO cushion the magma
ton, gladly, too gladly, would have wan
dered far and wide and have culled the
rarest and sweetest flowers and laid them
here as an humble offering at that shrine
which has graced and honored you on this
occasion.