The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-05-10
ROANOKE, VA, MAY 10. 1894.
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.

THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.
sThc hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
In looking over the eventful years OF
the life OF any noted public man to find
the cause for that success which has at
tended him the eye rests nearly always
upon the kind, loving guidance and d.
rection of that mans mother Great
men in their after life have acknowl-
edged their indebtedness TO s. watchful
mothers caro- aud IN true appreciation
of its value have sent up their thankful
prayers to the heavenly Father that
their lives had 80 fortunately been
moulded in the right paths by those
administering angels of heaven" their
mothers.
George Washington, the father OF his
country, was no exception to this class
of men who have fully appreciated the
blessings OF noble mother He tried
to be true to her teachings, and his
SUCCESS the whole world knows 1t is
but natural, therefore, shat, in this age
of hero worship, the credit for these
successes in life be placed where justly
due, and today, in appreciation OF the
influence for good exerted upon him by
his mother, an aspiring obelisk of
granite, beautiful and graceful, lofty
and impressive, eminently suited to the
character OF the noble, woman it is
designed to honor, is unveiled with i'm
posing ceremonies out Of memory to
iMary, the Mother of Washington.
The President of the United States,
members of his Cabinet, Senators and
Representatives and governors will
gather at Fredericksburg to day to
commemorate the life work of this
woman. The prominent women of the
land, many of whom are mothers of
promising sons, will also feel more than
usual interest in this event, for to days
celebration is the outcome o. :. move
ment organized by women, and the
beautiful statute to be unveiled bears
the inscription: Erected by her
countrywomen
The inception Of this plan of com
memorating the name OF Mary Wash
ington originated at the Nations Capitol
in 1889 when it was advertised in the
newspapers chat 1.-The grave OF the
mother of Washington" was for sale at
auction "to the highest bidder" A few
women there aroused TO Indignation at
this outrage, organized the National
Mary Washington Memorial Associ.
alton" for the work of rescuing the
grave and con pleting the unfinished
monument upon it If practical or erect
ing now one.
They have persevered steadily with
Iheir work, and the title to the land is
Il now vested in their national trustees
(the President Of the United States, the
chief Justice of the United States and
theyovernor Of, Virginia, all ex ofilcio),
and new monument (the old one being
;s1ound an irreparable RUM is fully com.
\ pleted and to day is unveiled with fitting
scelebration.
The monument to the memory of the
mother OF the greatest American hero
and patriot which this association has
4 erected is fifty feet in height, of Barre
{ granite, of classic form and beautifully
i erected. But the work of the associa.
tion is not yet finished and il is hoped
that at least $4,000 more NAV be
! secured as an endowment fund for the
future care and protection OF the prop
Serty.
s The men who appreciate the value Of
a mothers influence, who themselves
! feel grateful for the direction and gold
20 nee Of one of them, should assist in
Il this memorial to one OF the noblest o.
then, all.
The monument unveiled to-day is 8
Erecognition of the power behind the
throne," the manifestation OF apprecia-
4ion of the worth OF 1.-The hand that rock:
the cradle"
WE CALL attention to the adyertise-