Year: 1867




1t is by the promulgation of sound


morals in the community, and more


esaecially by the training and instruc-


tion orthe young, that woman per-


forms her part towards the preserva-


tion of al free government. 1t is gen


orally admitted that public liberty,


the perpetuity of free constitution,


rests on the virtue and intelligence of


the community which enjoys it. How


is that virtue to be inspired, and how


is that intelligence to be communica-


ted? Bonaparte once asked Madame


de Stael in what manner he, could


most promote the happiness ofFrance.
Her reply is full of political wisdom.
She said: Instruct the mothers of the
French people," Mothers are, indeed,
tbo affectionate and effective teachers
~ the human race. The mother
Hcgins her process of training with
Athe infant in her arms. 1t is she who
= directs, SO to speak, its first mental
and spiritual pulsations. She conducts
it along the impressive years of child
hood and youth, and hopes to deliver
it to the rough contests and tumultu-
GUS 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
contemplation the mothers of civil
lied nation, what do we see? We be
hold so many artificers working, not
on frail and perishable matter, but on
the immortal mind, moulding and
tashioning beings who are to exist
forever. We applaud the artist whose
skill and genius present the mimic man
upon the canvas; we admire the cele-
brated sculptor who works out that
same image in enduring marble; but
how insignificant ale these achieve
ments, though the highest and fairest
in oil the departments of art, in com
parison with the great vocation ofhu-
man mothers! They work, not upon
the canvas that shall fail, or the mar
bic that shall crumble into dust, but
upon mind, upon spirit, which is to
last forever, and which is to bear, for
good or evil, throughout its duration,
the imprese of mothers plastic
hand.


Our security for the duration of the
free institutions which bless our coun-
try 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 feel
ings are to be disciplined; profound
religious feeling is to be instilled and
pure morality inculcated under all cir
cumstances. All this is comprised IN
education. Mothers who are faithful
to this great duty, will tell their child
rem that neither in political nor in any
other concerns of life can man ever
withdraw himself from the obligations
of conscience and of duty; that in ev
cry act, whether public or private, he
incurs a just responsibility; and that
in no condition is he warranted in
trifing with important rights and obli-
cations. They will impress upon
their children the truth, that the exer-
else of the elective franchise is a So
cial duty of as solemn a nature as man
can be called to perform; that man
may not innocently trife with his vote
that every free elector is trustee, as
well for all others as himself; and that
every man, and every measure he
supports has an important bearing on
the interests of others as well as his
own. 1t is the inclination of high and
pure morals, such as these, that, in a
free Republic, woman performs her
sacred duty. and fnlflls her destiny.