The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-11

cmplihed thnn In love and reverence
for fathorhood.
"rho man who said ho cared not who
mado tho peoples lava II hO could writc
their song might have said with more
truth that ho could gauge tho strength
and yigor OF people and their fitness
for self.govornmGnt II ho know tho
depth and steadiastncss OF their love
for their mothers. ! believe that no
who thinks II bravo and manly to out
mother 10 moro than no who has no
music in himself, 1T for treason, strato.
gom and spoils, and should not bo
trusted. Let US recall to-day as con-
elusive proof OF tho close relation be-
tween American greatness and lasting
love and reverence for our mothers tho
proud declaration OF George Washing
ton, 'All Rm, Iowo 10 my mother and
lot US not forget that when his glory
was grentest and when tho plaudits OF
his countrymon were loudcst he valued
moro than these tho blessing and ap.
proval Of his agod mother.
"Whilo these exercises cannot fail to
inspire us anew with reverence for
ber that wo are hero to do honor to tho
women who gave 10 our nation its
greatest and bost citizen, and that VIC
hayo the privilege Of participating in
the dedication OF monument erected
by the women of our country in loving
and enduring testimony to tho virtues
OF tho mother OF Washington. Let us
be proud to-day that tho nobility OF
this woman exacted from q distin-
gulShed foreigner tho admission, III
such aro the matrons OF America, sho
may well boast OF illustrious sons and
that Lafayette, who bad fought with
her son for American independence de-.
clared after he had received her bless-
Ing I have sccn the only Roman
matron living at this day. Remember
ing these things let US leave this place
with our love OF country strengthened
with higher estimate OF the value OF
American citizenship and with prayer
to God that our people may hold fast to
the sentiment that grows out Of love
and reverence for American mother
hood"
At o'clock 4 banquet was rendered
abe distinguished guests, Vice President.
Stevenson was the principal speaker
and GcorGeIAlfred Townsend, "Gath,"
read poem.
DESCRIPTION OF TIE MONUMENT.
Tho monument was made at Buffalo,
n. Y. md is a plain granite monolith,
fifty feet high, standing upon n base
eleven feet square. Itbears the inscrip-
ton:
"Mnry, tho Mother of Washington"
The monument was made by the per-
sistont cfforts of tho patriotic women.
Mrs. Amelia G. Waite, widow OF the
late chief justice OF the United States
supreme court, and Mrs. Margaret Hot
zol, OF Clifton Station, Va. It was paid
ior by tho contributions from almost
every state in the union. Tho idea OF
building this monument has existed
ever since 1850. In 1888 Mr. Silas L.
Burroughs. prominent merchant OF
New York, offered 10 construct in
fredericksburg at his own expense
memorial to the mother OF George
Washington. The work was begun but
Mr.. Burroughs met with financial re.
verses and was Obliged to postpone the
completion OF his plan until he could
rctrieva his fortunes.
He died before he was ablo to re,ume
work. In $780, however, the Mary
Washington Memorial Association was
formed with Mrs. Waite at the head
and Mrs. Uetzel as secretary, and the
work Of raising money for the monu-
mcnt commenced in earnest. All the
work had to bc done over again, the
stone work done undcr the direction OF
Mr.. Burroughs having by this time
crumbled away.
The monument does not stand upon
tho alto OF tho house in which George
Washington was born. lie was born
near the village Of Wakefield, on tho
bank of tho Potomac river, sixty-five
miles below Washington. The monu-
ment has been raised over his mothers
long neglected grave quarter Of mile
or more beyond the city limits OF Fred
erickaburg, on what was once the farm
OF Col. Fielding Lewis, husband Of her
daughter Betty.
fredericksburg Lodge No. I, OF Free
Masons, in which George Washington
was made Mason. rave banquet at
the Opera house aitor the ceremonies
around tho monument Covers were
laid for $50 people.
CLEVELAND AND FEEE MAsoSs.
During tho banquet President Cleve.
land entered the hall quietly and was
standing in the center OF the stage with
the members Of his cabinet and their
ladies before he was recognized. Then
the house shook with yells when Judge
James B. Senior introduced the Presi.
dent, pointing to the portraits OF Wash.
ington and Audrew Jackson above tho
proscenium arch and alluding to Mr..
Cleveland as the legitimate successor Of
both. The President responded.
'GESTLE9tRS:-l am good deal en-.
barrassed by tho mention OF my two dis.
tingusshed predecessors and by tho fact
that they are both members OF the co.
ciety under whose auspices this ban.
quet is given. congratulate tho mem
bers OF tho fraternity represented here.
! am obliged to acknowledge my own
shortcomings in not being 4 mombcr Of
it. Perhaps it is my fault; certainly 1t
is my misfortune. Those in fault seek
compensation. ! too have the honor to
belong TO agreat fraternity, oneof which
George Washington and Andrew Jack
con were prominent members. A fra
.ernity whose grip means united
stand for American in,erests, whose
password ia the peoples cause and IN.
der all circumstances. whose temple Is
not as old as tho tomplo OF Solomon,
but no old no rnaricnp inatitutinpa. n
fraternity that can never die. for Its
fruits will always be before the world.
Would you know the namo OF this
fraternity, It Is tho brotherhood Of FREQ
and accepted and patriotic American