The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-02
LOVE FOR HIS MOTHER.

if, in further speaking of what Wash
ington has done for the sentiment of
his countrymen, it was necessary to
make any excuse for a reference to his
constant love and fond reverence, as
boy and man, for his mother. This
filial love is an attribute of American
manhood, a badge which invites our
trust and confidence and an indispen-
sable element of American greatness.
A man may compass important enter
prises, he may become famous, be
may win the applause of his fellows,
he may even do public service and
deserve a measure of popular approx
al, but he is not right at heart and can
never be truly great if he forgets his
mother.
In the latest biography of Washing
ton we find the following statement
concerning his mother: "That she was
affectionate and loving cannot be
doubted, for she retained to the last a
profound hold upon the reverential de-
votion of her son; and yet as he rose
steadily to the pinnacle of human
greatness, she could only say that
George had been good boy and she
was sure he would do his Duty"
/ cannot believe that the American
people will consider themselves called
upon to share the deprecatory feeling
of the biographer when he writes that
the mother of Washington could
''only" say Of her son that she believed
be would be faithful to the highest
earthly trusts. becau e he had been
good; nor that they will regard her
words merely as an amiable tolerated
expression Of fond mother. If
they are true to American sentiment
they will recognize in this language
the announcement of the important
truth that, under our institutions and
scheme of government, goodness such
as Washington's is the best guaranty
for the faithful discharge public duty.
| They will certainly do well for the
country and for themselves if they
| adopt the standard, the intuition of
this noble woman suggests as the meas
ure of their trust and confidence. 1t
means the exaction of moral principle
and personal honor and honesty and
goodness as indispensable credentials
to political pseferment.
have referred only incidentally to
the immense influence and service of
Washington in forming our Constitu-
ton. 1 shall not dwell upon his lofty
patriotism, his skill and fortitude as
the military commander who gained
our independence, his inspired wisdom,
patriotism and statesmanship as first
President of the Republic, his constant
love for his countrymen and his solici-
tude for their welfare at all times. The
story has been often told and is
familiar to all. If I should repeat
it, I should only seek 70 present fur
ther and probably unnecessary proof
of the fact that Washington embodied
in his character and exempliied in his
career that American sentiment in
which our Government had its origin,
and which I believe to be a condition
necessary to our healthful national life.
have not assumed to instruct you.
have merely yielded to the influence
of the occasion, and attempted to i'm
press upon you the importance of cul-
tivating and maintaining true Ameri-
can sentiment, suggesting that as it has
been planted and rooted in the moral
faculties of our countrymen, it can only
flourish in their love of truth and hon
esty and virtue and goodness. I be-
lieve that God has so ordained it for
the people he has selected for his
special favor; and know that the de-
crees of God are never obsolete.
beg you, therefore, to take with
you when you 80 forth to assume the
obligations of American citizenship, as
one of the best gifts ofyour alma mater,
strong and abiding faith in the value
and potency of
A GOOD CONSCIENCE AND PURE HEART.
Never yield one iota to those who
teach that these are weak and childish
things, not needed in the struggle Of
manhood with the stern realities Of
life. Interest yourselves in public af-
fairs as duty Of citizenship, but do
not surrender your faith to those who
discredit and debase politics by scof1ng
at sentiment and principle, and whose
political activity consists in attempts
to gain popular suppor -.pning de-
vices and shrewd manipulation. You
will find plenty of these who will smile
at your profession of faith and tell you
that truth, and virtue, and honesty,
and goodness were we'll enough in the
old days when Washington lived, but
are not suited to the presant size and
development Of our country, and the
progress we have made in the art of
political management. BE steadfast.
The strong and sturdy oak still needs
the support of its native earth, and as
it grows in size and spreading branches
its roots must strike deeper in the soil
which warmed and fed its first tender
sprout. You will be told that the peo-
pie have nc longer any desire for the
things you profess. Be not deceived.
The people are not dead, but sleeping.
They will awaken in good time and
scourge the money changers from their
sacred temple.
You may be chosen to public office.
Do not shrink from it, for holding Office
is also a duty of citizenship. But do
g.; bol