The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-05-17
THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON.
Dedication of the Monument to the Mem- ory of the Mother of the Father of His Country-The Presidents Speech.


 Dedication of the Monument to the Mem-
 ory of the Mother Of the Father of His
 Country-The Presidents Speech.
 FREDERIcKsBURG, Va, May 1.-The special train with the presidential party for the ceremony of unveiling the Mary Washington monument left Washington at o'clock.
 An immense crowd surrounded the station as the train pulled in, presi- dential salute boomed forth from the guns of the Richmond and band played Hail Columbia"
 Lined along the adjoining streets were various organi zations, conspic- uous among them the confederate vet erans with the battle flags of the con- federacy futtering over them.
 The procession was cheered by thou sands Women on horseback led the way. Then came the grand marshal, Adjut.-Gen. Charles J. Anderson and his staff, followed by Will liam J. Crawford, the architect 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 izations and secret societies, conspicu- ous among them being members of the 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. F. Rowe and Gov. Charles OFerral, Masonic ceremonies, an ad dress by Lawrence Sullivan, descend ant of Mary Washington, and an ora ton by Senator John w. Daniel, the orator of the day. President Cleveland responded to Gov. OFerrall as follows: Gov. O'Ferrall, Mayor and Fellow Citzens:
 I speak for those who are today greeted as the official guests of Virginia ani Fredericksburg when I return sincere thanks for the hearty welcome that has been extended 10 us on be- half of both the state and city. Our apprecia. ton of the warmth of your reception is not di. minished by the thought that, in the light of the highest meaning belonging to this occasion. there are no guests here We have assembled on equal ter ms to worship at sacred national shrine.
 Nothing can be mora important to those who have assumed the responsibility of self.goyern- ment than the cultivation and stimulation among themselves Of sentiments which en. noble and elevate and strengthen humanity. As a clear and wholesome stream must have it's flow from a pure fountain head. so must a clean and benehcent popular government have it's source in pure and morall; healthy men. This purity and this moral health are in nothing better eXenplihed than in love and reverence for motherhood. The Amer f,av .,l,, l,,, l laws if he could write their songs, might have said with more truth that he could gauge the strength and v'gor Of a people and their fitness for self-government if he knew the depth and steadfastness of their love for their mothers l believe that he who thinks 1t brave and manly to outgrow his care and devotion for his mo. her is, more than he who has no music in himself fit for treason, siratagems sul spells" and should not be trusted
 Let us recall today as conclusive proof of the close relation between American greatness and a lasting love and reverence for our mothers, the proul declaration of George Washington: ''All 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 particip ting 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 proul today that the nobility Of this woman exactei from a distinguished foreigner the admission, If such are the matrons of America, she may well boast of illustriOus sons" and that Lafayette, who had fought with her son for American indepen fence, declared, after he had received her blessing 'I have seen the only Roman matron liv.n; al this day"
 Remembering these things, let us leave this place with our love of country strengthened with higher estimate of value Of cit zsnship, and with prayer to God that our pc o3le may hold fast to the sentiment that grows out Of a love and reverence for American mother hood.
 At 3 o'clock a banquet was rendered to the distinguished guests Vice President Stevenson was the principal speaker.
 The monument was made at Buffalo, N. Y., and is plain granite monolith, 50 feet high, standing upon 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- otic 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 avarv sta ta in the uniOn