Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-11
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSE.
No Guests Here-A Glowing Tribute to
American Motherhood.

No Guests Here--A Glowing Tribute to
American Motherhood.
The band played Dixie" as Governor
OFerrall sat down. and this evoked q
regular southern yell. Mayor Rowe then
introduced President Cleveland. who, in .
strong. clear voice. spoke as follows:
For several minutes the enthusiasm
which greeted the Presidents Introduction
by the Governor was without bounds
When the cheering had finally subsidized
Mr.. Cleveland said:
Governor O'Ferrall. Mr. Mayor, and Fell
low-CitiZens:
II speak for those who are to-day
greeted as official guests OF Virginia and
Fredericksburg when ! return sincere
thanks for the hearty welcome that has
been extended to us in behalf OF both State
and city. Our appreciation Of the warmth
OF your reception il not diminished by
the thought that in the light of the high
est meaning belonging to this occasion,
there are no guests here. We have as.
sembled on equal terms to worship at a
sacred national shrine.
Nothing can be more important TO
those who have assumed the responsibility
OF self-goyernment than the cultivation
and stimulation among themselves OF sen.
timents which ennoble and elevate and
strengthen humanity. AS clear and
wholesome stream must have It's flow
from pure fountain head. so must clean
and beneficent popular government have
It's source In pure and morally healthy
men. This purity and this moral health
are In nothing better exempliissi than I'm
love and reverence for motherhood The
man who said he cared not who made
peoples laws. II he could write the,r
songs might have said with more truth
that he could gauge the strength ami
honor OF a people. and their fitness for
self-government. II he knew the denth
and steadfastness Of their love for ,be,r
mothers. / believe that he who thinks N
brave and manly TO out-grow his care
and devotion for his mother IL, more
tnan ne VINO has no music In himself. ft
Tor treason, strategems. and spoils, and
should not be trusted. Let pe recall to-
oay' as conclusive proof OF the close rela-
ton between American greatness ana .
lasting love and reverence for on,
mothers the proud declaration OF George
Washington: AN I am owe to 10,
mother and let US not forget thar when
! his glory was greatest, and when fbs
plaudits OF his countrymen were loudsst
he valued more than these the blessnr
and approval OF his aged mother.
while these exercises cannot fail "a
inspire us anew with reverence for Ameri.
can motherhood. we Will remember thar
We are here to do honor to the woman
who gave to our nation its greatest and
best citizen. and that we have the privt-
lege OF participating In the dedication OF
monument erected by the women OF our
land In loving and enduring testimony 10
the virtues OF the mother of Washington
Let us be proud to-day that the nobility Of
this woman exacted from a distinguished
foreigner the admission. III such are
the matrons OF America, she NAV well
boast OF illustrious sons and that Ia
fayette. who had fought with her son
for American Independence. declared after
he had received her blessing, Il have seen
i the only Roman matron living at this
| day
Remembering these things. let us
leave this place with our love OF coun-
! try strengthened, with a higher estimate
| OF 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
! motherhood"
The Presidents speech made . splendid
impression. and was loudly applauded.