The Atlanta constitution., 1894-05-14
TO GEORGES MOTHER.
MONUMENT TO MARY WASHINGION
UNVEILED.
Mr.. Stevenson Speaks Of George Washing
ton as = Master Workman-SenatOr
Daniel Among the Orators.

Fredericksburg, Va, May 1o.-The menu-
ment to the mother of Washington unVell-
ed today is an obelisk of white marble
fifty feet high. Its base consists OF three
courses, the upper one beveled ana sur
mounted by die bearing the simple lnscrlp-
ton: "Mary, the Mother of Washington.
A cap surmounts the die, and from this rises
the beautiful white shaft. The site is at
the edge of beautiful plateau, and near
the two gray boulders upon which the pa
triot's mother was accustomed to SIT tor
hours daily with her knitting.
The exercises at the monument were of
a most interesting character They were
opened with prayer by Rev. James z.
Smith, who largely inspired the movement
that resulted in the erection of the monu-
ment. He was aid to Stonewall Jackson and
helped carry him off the field when NOR
tally wounded at Charlottesville. Mayor
Rowe then extended a brief and appropri
ate welcome on the part of the city, after
which Governor OFerrall delivered a f1f-
teen minutes address of welcome on behalf
of the state, concluding his eloquent pero-
ration by introducing President Cleveland.
President CIeveIand's Remarks.
The president spoke as follows:
Governor OFerrall, Mr.. Mayor and Eel
low Citizens: l speak for those who are to-
day greeted the official guests of Virginia
and Fredericksburg, when L return sincere
thanks for the hearty welcome that has
been extended to us in behalf of the state
and city. Our appreciation of the warmth
OF your reception is not diminished by the
thought that i'll the light of the highest
meaning belonging to this occasion, there
are no guests here. We have assembled
on equal terms OF worship at the scared
national shrine.
Nothing can be more important to those
who have assumed the responsibility of self
government than the cultivation and stimu-
latlon among themselves of sentiments
WnlCh ennoDle ana elevate and strengthen
humanity. AS clear and wholesome
stream must have its flow from d pure
fountain head. SO must clear beneticent
popular government have it's source in pure
and morally healthy men. This purity and
this moral health are in nothing better e?-
emplllled than i'll love and reverence for
motherhood. The man who said he cared not
who made the peoples laws If he could write
their songs, might have said with more
truth that he could gauge the strength and
honor OF people and their finess for self
government ii he knew the depth and stead
faStness OF their love for their mothers.
L believe that he who thinks it brave and
manly to OutgroW his care and devotion
for his mother is, more than he who has
music in his soul, tit for treason, Strate
gem and SpOllS and should not be trusted.
Let US recall today as conclusive proof
o. the cloSe leiatIon between american great
ness and lasting love and reverence Tor our
mothers the proud declaration of George
Washington, All L am l owe to my mother
and let not forget that when his glory
was greatest and when the plaudits OF his
tr\t lOudpSt.
than these the blessing and approval Of his
aged mother.
while these exercises cannot fail to in
Spire with reverence Tor American
motherhood we will remember that we are
here to do honor to the woman who gave
TO our nation it's greatest and best cltl-
zen and that we have the privilege OF par
ticipa ting in the dedication OF d monument
erected by the women of our land, in loving
and enduring testimony OF the mother or
Washington 80 V~
Let us be proud today that the nobility of
this woman exacted from a distinguished
foreigner the admission. If such are the
nlatronS of America, she may well BOAST OIL
her iIlCStriouS sons; ana tnaI Lafayette
Who had fought With her son 1of mere
name declared after he had received her
blessing, L have seen the only ltoIflah ina
tron living at this day.
Remembering these things. let us leave
this place with our love OF country SIenSth-
ened with a higher estimate OF me value
of American citizenship and with a prayer
TO God that our people may holu last 10
the sentiment that grows out OF love ana
ro,-arance for American motherhood"
Then followed the cabaliStlc rite OIL ma
sonrv accepting the work OF the archllecI
and builders as worthily done
MIR. Lawrence Washington was then in
troduced and delivered a short, but interest
ino. address He is the son Of John Angus
Ia ,ocrtp w
to IT'S present owners, the Ladies AssocIa-
ton.
The presiding officer then introduced Sen
ator John w. Daniel, the orator OF the DAY.
Senator Daniel said in part: lhls stone
renresents two ideals-womanly excellence
and patriotic duty. You have reared TINS
beautiful obelisk to one who was the light
of the dwellng' in d plain rural colonial
home Her history hoVerS around 1t. she
was wife mother and widow. She nursed
a hero at her breast. At her knee she tram
ed to the love and fear of GOD and TO the
kingly virtues, honor, truth and Valor-the
lion of the tribe that gave to America liber-
ty and independence. IhlS IS hef tltle 10
renown 1t is enough"
Senator Daniel traced the history of the
moth Of Washington from her birth on the
30th of November, 1l06, at the plantation
home of her father, Colonel JoSpeh BaU,
in Lancaster county, Virginia, on the banks
of the Rappahannock, through all tne event
full years of her life down to her death at
her home in Fredericksburg the 18th of
August 1889, and closed eloquent perora-
ton.
President Cleveland then came to the
front of the stand and held public recep-
ton in which more than 10000 persons par
ticpated. Following this, the president was
escorted across the park to the Mary Wash
incton house. where he rested for a time.
Hon. j. b. Sever presided over the BAN
Quet.
1t was thought that the president would
return to Washington Immediately after
the unveiling ceremonies, but he was an
unexpected and most welcome guest at the
feast. A storm of acclamation greeted his
unannounced appearance. When the noisy
welcome had subsidized sufficiently for Presi-
dent Sever to formally present him, Mr.
Cleveland advanced to the front of the
platform and acknowledged the tumultuous
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