Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-07-24
The Glory of Motherhood.

aud mothers of this country. He
placed them above the soldiers in
attributes OF loyalty. devotion and self
sacrifice. In speaking OF wife and
mother he said:
She often has a pretty hard time,
yet the woman who thus with labor
and anxiety brings up her children is
blessed among women. blessed among
men. do not pity her in the least.
| respect and admire her and hold her
worthy of admiration and honor.
The selfish creature. man or woman,
who reaches old age having achieved
ease by shirking duty is to be heartily
despised and not envied Our admir-
alton is reserved for him or her who
has done the real work which makes
the next generation able in its turn to
do the work in the country"
There is no grander mission on earth
than that performed by the wife and
mother who fills the home with love
and sunshine, and rears children to
go forth into the world masters of
themselves and possessors of an edu.
eaton which enables them to occupy
and fill exalted positions in life. In
this age of race suicide and drifting
on the part OF women away from the
confines of home and domesticity, the
remaining examples of the &c od old
mother OF fifty years ago shine out
like stars in deepest tints of blue.
Like great rock in heavy land,
they refresh and stimulate humanity.
Their sweet devotion to those who
gather about their hearth stones, and
the tender grace which their presence
sheds throughout the community.
glorify them and win our love and
respect.
No truer words We're ever spoken
than these: "The hand that rocks
the cradle rules the world" This
definition OF the mother places her
above the soldier, the statesman the
philosopher, the scientist, above er.ry
great physical and intellectual force
in life. No accomplishment to Which
woman may aspire. or no honor which
she may gain. can equal in value or
beauty the lovely crown of trse
motherhood. Few men in this world
who have achieved distinction and
won success fail to accord to the
influence and training of their mother
the credit of being largely responsible
for their possession. And even the
human failures-the wrecks scattered
all over the sea If life-unite in a
tribute to the mothers of their child.
hood, and regret that they had not
obeyed their teachings.
No human tongue can too eloonentIy
chat the praises of true mother. No
marble shat, however high, or costly,
can pay her proper tribute She is the
salt of the earth-the divine influences
around which flow the sparkling
waters of social and religious
triumphs. Her daily life is an in
spiration-her patience and her unset
fishness shrinks at which every knee
should bow. Fer her the glamor and
the tinsel OF life have no temptations.
Her home is at once her fortress and
her castle. Her throne is in the hearts
OF her husband and children, and on
that throne she wields sceptre far
more powerful than that of any king
or queen-the sceptre O. lore ard SYM
pathy. Her kiss can dry the tear of
sorrow or pain-her gentle touch can
soothe the aching heather smile and
her assuring voice can drive away the
black cloud of fear, and flood with
radiant sunlight the deepest recess of
our lives. The woman who is looking
for honor and fame should turn to
the cradle. The woman who wishes
to fill mission in life should teach
the faltering feet of childhood how to
walk and the lisping lips of babes how
to speak the word "mcther. On the
battlefield or home she can achieve
honors unknown to the plains of
human carnage. In the peaceful con-
fines OF her household she can win
victories unequaled amid the roar of
musketry or the booming of cannon.
No crown so grand as the wreath of
motherhood. No song so sweet as that
breathed above the cradle.
| Motherhood, in the truest, fullest
sense is the crowning glory of woman.