Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-17
THE MOTHER OF wAsAINeToN1

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Dedication of the Monument 70 the Mems
Org of the Mother OF the Father of Hls
Countrywide Presidents Speech
FREDERICKSBURG. Va. May 1.-The
special train with ths presidential
party for the ceremony of unwilling
the Mary Washington monument lefs
Washington at O'Clock.
An immense crowd surrounded the
station as the train pulled in. presi-
Dental salute doomed forth from the
guns of the Richmond and band
played Hail Columbia"
Lined along the adjoining streets
were various organi cations. conspic-
uous among them the confederate vet
Grams with the battle flags of the con-
federacy huttering over them
The procession was cheered by thous
sands Women on horseback led the
way. Then came the grand marshal
Adult Charles J. Anderson
and his staff. followed by Wiz
liam J. Crawford, the earchitecA
of the monument Then fol-
lowed President Cleveland. Vice Pres
ident Stevenson and members of the
cabinet in carriages. followed by the
governor and staff and military organ
iEations and secret societies, conspicu-
Gus among them being members Of ths
Fredericksburg and Alexandria lodges
of Masons in which Washington had
taken his degrees
The programme for the dedicatory
exercises included addresses of welcome
by Mayor A P. Rowe and Gov. Charles
O'Ferral, Masonic ceremonies. an adj
dress by Lawrence Sullivan, descend
ant of Mary Washington. and an ora
fr- Trl
orator of the day. President Cleveland
responded to Gov. O'Ferral as follows:
Gov. O'Ferrsu. Mayor and Fellow Citizens;
Ispesk for those who are to-day greeted as the
ofncisl guests Of Virginia and Fredericksburg
when return sincere thanks for the hearty
welcome that has been extended to US on b.
half of both the state and city. Our spprecia-
ton OF the warmth of your reception is not d.
minishcd by the thought that, in the light OF
the highest meaning belonging 70 this occasion.
there are no guests here We have assembled
on equal terms to worship st q sacred national
shrine
Nothing can be more important TO those who
have assumed the responsibility OF self-govern-
ment than the cultivation and stimula ton
among themselves OF sentiments which en-
noble and elevate and strengt then humanity.
As clear and wholesome stream must have
its flow from pure fountain head so must .
clean and oene fcent popular government have
its source in pure and morally healthy men
This purity and this moral health are in
and reverence for motherhood The Amer
lean who said he cared not who made q peoples
laws il he could write their songs, might have
said with more truth that he could gauge the
strength and vigor Of 3 people and their illness
for self-government II he knew the depth and
stesdfas tness 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,
eft for treason, stratagems ana spoils, " and
should not be trusted
Let US recall to-day, as conclusive proof Of the
close relation between American greatness and
q las ting love and reverence for our mothers.
the proud declaration of George Washington;
IAN I am. owe to my mother" and let US not
forget that when his glory was greatest and
when plaudits of his countrymen were loudest.
he valued more than these the blessings and
approval OF his aged mother.
While these exercises cannot fail to inspire
Us anew with reverence for American mother
hood, We will remember that We are here to do
honor to the woman who gave our nation its
greatest and best citizen. and we have the
privilege of participating in the dedication OF =
monument erected by the women of our land In
loving and enduring testimony to the
virtues Of the mother Of Washington Let
US be proud today that the nobility OF
this woman exacted from q distinguished
foreigner the admission. If such the
matrons OF America. she may well boast OF
nlustrious sons" and that Lafayette, who had
fought with her son for American Independence,
declared, after he had received her blessing:
'1 have seen the only Roman mAtron living At
this day."
Remembering these things, let Us leave this
place with our love Of country strengthened.
with higher estimate OF value Of 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 a banquet was rendered
to the distinguished guests Vice
President Stevenson was the principal
speaker.
m n
N. Y, and is plain granite HSpnolith,
so feet high, standing upon q base IL
feet square. It bears the inscription
''MARY. THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.
The monument was made possible
by the persistent efforts of two patri.
otto women-Mrs- Amelia c. Waite,
widow of the late chief justice of the
United States supreme court, and Mrs
Margaret Hetzel. of Clifton station. Va
It was paid for by contributions from
almost avery stata in the IIuiOu