The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1909-05-07
DAY OF OUR MOTHERS
Whole United States to Honor
Them on Sunday, May 9.
GO BACK HOME IF you CAN.

White Carnations Will Be Worn by All
Observers--Sponsor For Celebration
Is Miss Anna Jarvis Of Philadelphia.
Touching Appeal Of a Mother Long
inc to See Her Boy.
Mothers day, the second Sunday In
May, will be celebrated this year In
every section Of the United States.
This year for the first time the deeds
Of our pioneer mothers will be given
official recognition by the military Of
the United States. General Edgar
Allen, Jr.. commander In chief of the
Sons of Veterans. has been the first
officer to recognize the merit Of the
demonstration and has issued orders
to his comrades for general observ-
ance Of Mothers day.
In his notice General Allen says: "A
great movement has been inaugurated
to do honor to our mothers. Our
mothers are our best friends. No day
has ever been set aside for the honor
ing of their heroic deeds and memory.
You Will do honor to yourselves. your
fathers and your mothers by observ-
ing this event in an appropriate way.
No word of mine can add to the many
laudable reasons why we, as Sons Of
Veterans, should honor this event"
The sponsor for this celebration is
Miss Anna Jarvis of 2031 North
Twelfth street. Philadelphia. The first
effort to call the attention of the entire
United States to the proposed celebra-
ton was made one year ago. Like
many home products, it received great
er recognition in other parts of the
country. Throughout the south and
west the idea spread with wonder
full rapidity until mass meetings and
public demonstrations Of other kinds
were organized and held before large
audiences.
Necessarily of sentimental origin
and meaning, the celebration assumed
its most significant aspect in the state
prisons and penitentiaries. The grim
walls Of Leavenworth, Cherry Hill,
Sing Sing and Nebraska prisons lost
not a little Of their sordidness, and
hearts that had not been otherwise
accessible were touched, maybe only
for the instant in some cases. but even
the shadow Of the mother thought that
fell left an impression that prompted
the men to look forward to the cele-
bration this year. More than that,
white charlottesville symbol of the
day and that which 1t celebrates-are
to be given to the men. Letters from
prisoners to governors Of their states
asking for Just an hours relief from
the discipline governing them have
met with approval, and services will
be held In the stone corridors and In
the prison yards.
Miss Jarvis has been the recipient Of
many touching letters. In a feeble
hand that spoke volumes Of sorrow
and trial woman, who simply sign
ed herself His Mother" told typical
tale Of a broken heart In her letter
this woman praised Miss Jarvis for
her "godly thought" and said: 81 have
a son and three daughters. They are
all good to me. | want for nothing, as
need but little. am very feeble.
and know that | have not much
longer to live. He writes to me, and
when he gives me an address | write
to him. He Is so kind to me. He sends
me money and everything, but will not
come home. He is wandering all over
his home If only for one night. II I
could only see him and tell him how
love hirl should feel that all the good
ness that God intended for me in my
old age was mine. ! do not want his
money. am saving II all for him.
But, oh. If he would only come to me
before ! die should be so happy!
Please pray for my boy with me and
ask that he be sent home"
In this spirit, which surely appeals
to every man and woman, wear a
white carnation on the second Sunday
in May and keep In your heart the
thought Of your mother. Go home II
you can. If you can't. hold silent COM
munion with her. for her thought will
surely be of you.
Miss Jarvis original idea embraced
the simultaneous observance In every
part Of the world of the love and rev.
erence which all men and women owe
their mothers. The white carnation
was especially chosen because Of its
wilderness, which stands for purity: its
form and fragrance, representing
beauty and love; its wide field Of
growth and lasting qualities, symbol
izing charity and faithfulness-all a
true mothers virtues.