The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-11
RICHMOND. VA. FRIDAY MAY IL 1891

principal residential streets to the monu-
ment grounds.
The ARRANGEMENTS at the grounds, as
they were for the entire affair, were OF
the most admirable character 4 grand
stand, holding thousand persons; a
band-stand, and a speaker r's-stand, OF
sufficient size to hold the distinguished
guests and the Ladies' Association, were
among the convenient arrangements.
These were handsomely decorated, and
when filed formed a brilliant picture.
The ample grass-covered grounds were
filed for hundreds Of yards around. but
nearly all present were In reach OF the
speakers voices.
The exercises were opened by an ap-
propriate prayer by Rev. James =. Smith.
ID. D.. in which deep gratitude was ex-
pressed that this country had been
blessed with such a noble woman as
Mary, the mother OF Washington.
The Mayors Wsicoine
Mayor A. p. Rowe, the courteous and
able Executive OF the old city, introduced
the President and Governor OFerrali.
IN the course of his remarks the Mayor
said:
Mr.. President: II gives me great
pleasure in my official capacity as Mayor
10 tender 10 the Chief Magistrate Of this
great Republic a cordial welcome 10 our
historic city on this patriotic and most
interesting occasion, and to extend the
same hearty greeting to the high Federal
and State officials and other distinguished
guests present
We extend the same kind welcome TO
the military and the other organizations
that have honored this occasion by their
presence, and also TO the visitors gem
orally.
We are here to-day to dedicate a NON
ument to Mary, the mother Of Washing
ton. and the first movement in this di-
rectlon was inaugurated IN 1891 by the
people Of Fredericksburg. when about
s. 90 was contributed and the funds were
lost by a failure.
He then reviewed the history Of the
movement TO secure "a lifting memorial
TO the mother Of Washington, and the
various obstacles which had to be over
come before it was crowned with sue
cess.
The Mayor closed his remarks in these
words
Mary Washington resided here for many
years during the latter portion Of her
life. in her modest home near by. which
IS so sacredly kept by the Society for
the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities
the grounds was her daily resort IN all
suitable weather for the reading Of the
Scriptures, and meditation and prayer
and this hallowed and quiet spot was
the place selected by herself where she
desired to be laid at rest when her
earthly career was ended, and rs we look
around we can see this beautiful valley
and the green hills that formed the varied
landscape 50 often viewed by her.
To complete this great work q national
roadway should be built from The grave
Of the mother Of the savior Of the coun-
try 10 the National cemetery where lie
the thousands who died 20 save the Union.
This roadway will pass also by the Con-
federate cemetery, which is tenderiy
cared for When the National cemetery
is reached We can stand under the old
gag with it's Stars and Stripes. and shout
Liberty and Union now and forever,
one and inseparable." and thank Provi-
dence that we are low so greatly blessed
I'm having a united country and that sec
tionalism is dead