The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-30

and city. Our appreciation OF the warmth
ot your reception is not diminished by the
Thought that in the light OF the highest
meaning belonging to this occasion there are
no guests here. We have assembled on
equal terms to worship at sacred national
shrine.
"Nothing can be more important to those
who have assumed the responsibility Of self
government than the cultivation and sttmu-
iation among themselves ofsentiments which
ennoble and elevate and strengthen human
ity. As clear and wholesome stream
must have its flow from pure fountain
head. 80 must q clean and benefcent
popular government have Its source
In pure and morally healthy men. This
purity and this moral health are In moth
ing better e1emplifled than In love and rev.
erence for motherhood. The man who said
he cared not who made peoples laws
II he could write their songs, might have
said with more truth that he could gauge
the strength and honor OF people and their
fitness for self-government II he knew the
depth and steadfastness OF their love for
their mothers. believe that he who thinks
It brave and manly to outgrow his care and
devotion for his mother Is more than he who
has no music In himself, fit for treason, stra-
.eeems, and spoils, aud should not be
trusted. Let US recall to-day as conclusive
proof of the close relation between American
greatness and lasting love and reverence
for our mothers the proud declaration OF
George Washington, 'All am owe to my
mother and let US not forget that when his
glory was greatest and when the plaudits OF
bis countrymen were loudest, he valued
more than these the blessing and approval
of his aged mother.
"WhiIe these exercises cannot fail to in
spire US anew with reverence tor American
motherhood, we will remember that we are
here to do honor to the woman who gave to
our nation its greatest and best citizen, and
that we have the privilege OF participating
In the dedication OF q monument erected by
the women OF our land In loving and en-
during testimony to the virtues OF the
mother at Washington, Let Us be proud to-
day that the nobility OF this woman
exacted from O distinguished foreigner
the admission, If such are the matrons OF
America, she may we'll boast OF illustrious
sons,' and that Lafayette, who had fought
with her son for American independence,
declared after he had received her blessing,
Il have seen the only Roman matron living
at this day
Remembering these things, let US leave
this place with our love Of country strength
ened, with higher estimate of the value OF
American citizenship, and with prayer to
God that our people may hold fast to senti.
ment that grows out OF love and reTerencs
for American motherhood"
There was another oltburst OF enthusiasm
when the President finished and gave way
TO the Masonic societies, who performed the
dedicatory ceremonies. Senator John w.
Daniel, the orator of the day, was then In
troduced by President Cleveland.
After paying q graceful tribute to Mrs
Waite and the ladies Of the Lady Washington
Association, whose rious hands had reared
"the first monument oc earth erected by
woman to a woman Senator Daniel said
in part:
"This stone represents two ideals-woman-
~ excellence and patriotic duty. You have
feared this beautiful! obelisk to one who was
the light of the dwelling in q plain rural
colonial home. Her history hovers around
1t. She was wife. mother and widow. She
nursed hero Mt her breast. At her knee
she trained to the love and fear OF Coo ana
to the kingly virtues, honor, truth and ralor,
the lion of the tribe that gave to America
liberty and independence. This Is her ttle
to renown. It is enough"
Mr.. Daniel traced the history the mother
of Washington from her birth on the 3Oth OF
November, 1706, at the plantation home OF
her father, Colonel Joseph Ball, In Lancas-
ter County, Va, OIL the hanks OF the Kappa
topnock, where the river broadens as it
blends into the Chesapeake Bay, through oil
the eventful years Of her life down TO her
death at her home in Fredericksburg on tne
25th of August, 1889, and closed On eloquent
peroration by saying , H..
"Once again the May time breaks with Its