Year: 1867

It is by the promulgation of sound morals in
the community, and more especially by the
training and instruction of the young, that wO-
man performs her part towards the preserva-
tiOn of a free government. 1t is generally ad-
mitted that public liberty, the perpetuity of
free constitution, rests on the virtue and intel
ligence of the community which enjOysit. How
is that virtue to be inspired and how is that
intelligence to be communicated? BOnaparte
once asked Madame de Stael in what manner
he could best promote the happiness of FranceF
Her reply is full of political wisdom. She said,
g Instruct the mothers of the French people" +"


Mothers are. indeed, the atfectiOnate and ef
fective teachers of the human race. The moth
er begins her process of training with the in
fant in her arms. 1t is she who directs, so to
speak, its mental and spiritual pulsatiOns.
She conducts it along the impressible years of
childhood and youth, and hopes to deliver it to
the rough contests and tumultuOus scenes of
life, armed by those good principles which her
child has received from maternal care and love


If we draw within the circle of our cOntem-
plation the mothers of civilized nation, what
do we see? We behold so many arti6cers
working not on frail and perishable matter,
but on the immortal mind, moulding and fash
iOning beings who are to exist forever. We
4
sent the miniic-man upon the canvass; we ad-
mire and celebrate the sculptor who works out
that same image in enduring marble; but how
insignificant are the achievements, though the
highest and fairest in all the departments Of
art in comparison with the great vocation OF
human mothers They work not upon the
canvas that shall fail, or the marble that shall
crumble into DUST but upon mind, upon spirit
which is to last forever, and which is to bear,
forever, for good or evil throughout its dura-
ton. the impress of a mothers plastic hand.


Our security for the duration of the free in
stitutions which bless our country, depends
upon the habits of virtue and the prevalence Of
knowledge and of education. knowledge does
not comprise all which is contained In the
larger term of education. The feelings are to
be disciplined the passions are to be restrain
ed true and worthy motives are to be insplr-
ed ; pure morality incucated under all cir
cumstances. All this is comprised in eduea.
tiOn.> Mothers who are faithful to this great
duty will tell their children that neither in pO
| litical nor in any other concerns of life, can
man ever withdraw himself from the perpetual
obligations of conscience and of duty that in
every act, whether public or private, he incurl
just responsibility and that in no condition
/ is be warranted in trifling with important
| rights and obligations. They will impress up
on their children the truth that the exercise 0
the elective franchise is q social duty OF a'
solemn q nature as man can be called to per
form that q man may not innOcently trlh'
with his VOTE that every free electOr Is trQs
tee, as well for others as himself; and tina
every man and every measure he supports, ha


an important bearing on the interests Of other
as well as his own 1t is the inculcatiDn o


high and pure morals, such as these, that, in


free republic, woman performs her sacre'


duty, and fulfls her destiny.