The Washington times., 1922-05-14
@ This Is the Day Set Apart by Law to Remember Mothers
F Living and Those to Whom Nation Owes Its Greatness
Wear a White Carnation and
Think of Her, Is Injunction
Observance Lays on Young
and Old.

and Old.
BY MARGERY REX.
Today is Mothers Day.
Wear a white carnation and
think of mother-that's the idea.
Sentiment that hovers over
such an occasion and thoughts
that prompt national recognition
of the right of mothers to a spe-
cial day is quite commendable
indeed. Surely the achievement
of motherhood alone is as worthy
of monuments and flowers as the
deeds of men.
BE Unselfish.
Mothers Day. though, is a good or
bad idea according to how 1t affects
people. II you lump your gifts and
attentions together that one day Of
the year and on the other 364 days
show indifference, stinginess and
selfishness, then the holiday has
served mother poorly.
If Mothers Day acts as a remin-
der to be kinder. more considerate,
generous and attentive to mothers,
1t has not failed of doing good.
Even If you have no mother to re-
member, today can remind you to
be more unselfish-the predominant
trait of mothers of every color, race,
creed and class.
II newborn babies could talk and
walk they would undoubtedly make
public speeches at an early age.
They would testify to the sacrifice
and untiring attention they receive
in a strange, new world-where they
find one true and patient friend who
ministers to all their demands, no
matter whether they desire to be
walked up and down the floor all
night or coaXed out of crying fits.
Bonaparte's Tribute.
The appointment Of one day to
honor mothers would seem to be un-
necessary, since great men have con-
spicuously revered their mothers.
Napoleon ]. the egotistical Bona
parte, whose early explorations
studying his ten toes and what
would happen II he tried to swallow
a few pieces Of Corsican money were
watched by a doting mother, said OF
her as the end of his life approach.
ed.
"It is to my mother, to her good
principles. that ] owe my success
and all l have that is worth while.
Il do not hesitate to say that the
future of the child depends on the
mother"
Litizia Ramolino. desc e'Idan. Of 4
good Florentine family. married Car
10 Bonnaparte and had four chill.
dren, of which the Emperor was
hA
Throughout his triumphs and trou.
bles the faithful woman watched
her son till the end. Napoleon,
though selfish, egotistical and jcal.
Gus of other men, paid fervent com
pliment all through mis- predatory
career to this inspiring woman.
Mothers Influence.
Nancy Hanks was the mother OF
| Abraham Lincoln. She was wom'
an Of strong mentality AMI fortitude
qualities which she impaired TO
her great son. Behind the Emanci-
pator was the spirit Of his staunch
mother who did as much TO save
the Union as Lincoln.
The mother Of our first President,
| George Washington. war Mary Ball
! Washington. She married Augustus
Washington and had cCur sons-of
whom George was the eldest-and
two daughters.
In his early years a child is made
or marred. and the creating or spoil
| ing usually can be attributed to the
mothers influence. Few mCthers do
not give up every personal consid
Grafton for the good of their little
ones, and when the mother has q fine
mentality or talent il passes on to
her children.
The Source OF Genius.
Genius always seems 10 come from
the mother. Many men OF genius
! lament the fact that their children
have no unusual degree Of brain
power, but they can blame them
selves. because they have chosen
women with no trace OF mentality.
One man solved the problem in this
way:
F'ilippo Lippi, old italian artist,
was commissioned to paint a lovely
Madonna for a convent. In the very
place where the painting was to hans
| he discovered LucrCZia Butt. who had
that rare beauty he desired to place
on canvas. They fell in love. From
their union son was born, whom
they called Filipino Lippi. Mean
while. Lippi had made his wife the
companion of his ment1l life as well
as a domestic acquisition.
In her tender care and watchful'
ness their son was reared, his men
tai development nourished under his
mothers tuition.
SO striking Is the difference be.
tween the sons Of slave women and
free women that 1t can be readily
observed in the east, where sons OF