Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-15

the measure of greatness? Lafayette was en-
trusted by Washington with all kinds of service:
the laborious and complicated, which requlr-
ed skill and patience, the perilous that demand
ed nerve;-and we see him keeping up pur-
suit, effecting retreat, out-manoGuvering
wary adversary with superior force harmo-
niZing the action of French regular troops and
American militia, commanding an assault at
the point OF the bayonet; and all with entire
success and brilliant reputation. Is the readl-
ness 10 meet vast responsibility proof OF great
ness? The memoirs of Mr.. Jefferson show us,
as we have already seen, that there was mo-
ment in 1889, when Lafayette took upon HIM
SELF as the head of the military force, the entire
responsibility of laying the basis ofthe Revolu-
ton.
Is the cool and brave administration of gigan-
tic power, mark of greatness? In all the whirl-
wind Of the Revolution, and when, as Comman-
der-in-c chief Of the National Guard, an organic
ed force Of three millions of men, who for any
popular purpose needed but word a look, TO
put them in motion-and he their IDOL We behold
him ever calm, collected, disnteresed; as free
from affectation as sel6shness, clothed not less
with humility than with power. Is the fortitude
required to resist the multitude pressing onW ard
their leader TO glorious crime, part OF great
ness? Behold him the fugitive and the victim
when he might have been the chief of the revo-
luton. Is the solitary and unaded opposition
Of a good citizen to the pletensons OF an abSo-
lutte ruler, whose power was as unbounded as
his ambition, an effort of greatness! Read the
letter of Lafayette to Napoleon Bonaparte, re-
tuSing to vote for him as Consul for lille. Is the
voluntary return, in advancing years, to the d.
rection of affairs, at moment, like that. when
in 1915 the pOnderous machinery Of the French
empire was flying misunderstanding, rendng,
crushing thousands on every side--a mark OF
reatness?--Contempla Lafayette at the tri-
bune, in Paris, when allied Europe was thunder
ing at its gates, and Napoleon yet stood in his
desperation and at bay. Are dignity, proprety,
cheerfulness unerring discretion in new and
conspicuous stations Of extraordinary dellcacy,
sign of greatness? Watch his progress in
this country, in 1924 and 1925, hear him say the
right word at the right time, in a series of inter
views, public and private, crowdng on each
other every day. for Il twelvcmonth, throughout
the Union, with every description of persons,
without ever wounding for a moment the self
love of others, or forgetting the dignity Of his
own position. Lastly, is it any proof of great
ness TO be able, at the age OF seventy-three, 10
take the lead in successful and b!oodless rcvo-
luton; to change the dynasty--to organize, eX
ercise, and abdicate military command OF
three and half millions of men; TO take up, to
perform to lay down the most mOmentouS deli
cate, and perilous duties without passion, with
out hurry without sellishness? Isit great to dis
regard the brides of title, Office, money-to live,
10 ldOOr, anu SuIIGT LOT great puDIIC elluS uOHt;
Ito adhere TO principle under all circumstan-
ces;-to stand before Europe and America con-
spicuous for sixty years. in the most responsible
stations, the acknowledged admiration of all
good men?'
The orator concluded his eulogy in the fol-
lowing expressive manner. The apostrophe at
the close to Washington and Lafayette, when he
turned to the full length painting of the one and
the bust of the other, must have been heard, to
convey an idea Of the effect which it produced:
You have now assembled within these re
nowned walls, to perform the last duties Of re-
spect and love-on the birthday of your bene
factor, beneath that roof which has resounded
of old with the master voices Of American re-
nown. The spirit of the departed is in high
communion with the spirit of the place;-the
temple worthy of the new name which we now
behold inscribed on its walls. Listen, Ameri
cans, to the lesson which seems borne to us on
the very air we breathe, while we perform these
dutiluI rites. Ye winds, that waited the pilgrims
to the land of promise, fan, in their children's
hearts, the love Of lreedom;-Blood, which our
fathers shed, cry from the ground ;-Echoing
arches of this renowned hall, whisper back the
voices of other days; Glorious Washington,
break the long silence of that votive canvass;
Speak, speak, marble lips, teach us THE LOVE OF
LIBERTY PROTECTED BY LAW"
ORA US TOMORROW