The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-05-17
A TRIBUTE TG MOTHERS.
The Mary Washington Monument Dedi-
cation.


cation.
The dedication at Fredericksburg Va. Of a
monument to Mary Washington. the mother
OF the first president. was a most auspirious
event. President Cleveland WIS present, ac-
companied by Secretary and Mrs. Gresham,
Secretary and Mrs. Carlisle. Secretary aud
Mrs. Lamont. Postmaster General Bissrll
Secretary aud Miss Morton and Private Soc
retary and Mrs. Thurber. From Richmond
there came Gov. O'Ferrall. and u large mum.
ber of civil and military visitors, and every
part OF the state contributed it, quota OF dis
tinguished people.
President Cleveland and party on their ar
rival were rendered lunch at the old Mary
Washington house. after which there was "a
parade preceding the dedication, in which
the Masonic lodge to which Washington be-
longed took an important part. Gov O'Fer-
rail- made an impassioned address Of wei
come. Senator John W. Daniel. who was
the orator of the day, paid graceful tribute
20 Mrs. Waite, wife of the late Chief Justice
Waite, the head OF the Mary Washington
Monument Association. and her fellow mem
beers. whose piuos hands..had reared"The first
monument on earth e.lcied by women to
woman"
President Cleveland a his address said
that nothing can be more importantto those
who have assumed the responsibility OF self
government than the cultivation and stimu-
lation among themselves OF sentiments which
ennoblc and elevate and strengthen human
ity. The man who said he cared not who
made u peoples laws IL he sould write their
songs, might have said with more truth that
he could guage the strength and honor of Il
people, and their iltsess for seli-government
II he knew the depth and steadfastness %
their love for their mothers. Let us recall
| to-day as conclusive proof OF the close rela-
| tion between American greatness and n last
| ing love and reverence Of our mothers, the
| proud declaration OF George Washington" IAN
] am / owe TO my mother, "and let us not for
get that when his glory was greatest and
when the plaudits OF his cOuntrymen were
| loudest, he valued more than these the
! blessing and approval OF his aged mother.
LET us be proud to-day that the nobility
| Of this woman exacted from distinguished
| foreigner the admission, If such are tho
| matrons of America, she may well boast OF
| illustrous sons and that Lafayette who had
! fought with her son for American Independ-
ence, declared after he had received her
| blessing, Il have seen the only Roman ma
tron living at this day Remember these
things, let us leave this place with our love
| OF country strengthened. with a higher esti-
mate OF the value OF American citizenship,
and prayer TO God that our people may
| hold fast to the sentiment that grows out of a
| love and reverence for American mother
| hood.
The monument is an obelisk OF white
marble, so feet high. Its base consists OF
three courses, the upper one beveled and
surmounted by die bearing the simple in
scription MARY, The mother OF Washing
| ton" Acap surmounts the die, and from this
rises the beautiful white shaft. The site is nj
the edge Of a beautiful plateau, and near the
twogray boulders upon which tho patriots
mother was accustomed 10 sit for hours daily
with her knitting.