The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-07-12
LAFAYETTE,

Who can read the history of La
fayette's youth without discerning
early developments of superior in,
tellect, and of uncommon strength
OF mind? Before attaining the age
of twenty years, he had refused the
tempting honors of splendid court,
and embarked in the cause of those
principles which he carried with him
through life. Had he, in a ft
of desperation, and when fortune
frowned, crossed the Atlantic and
entered the service of our country,
as a refugee in distress, we might
feel grateful for his timely aid, but
could not cxtol his magnanimity.-
But how different was the spectacle!
AT home he was honorcd and be-
loved, and enjoyed the brightest
prospects. A thousand difficulties
besct his undertaking. The wishes
OF his family, the utmost exertions
of his enemies, the powcrlessness. Of
those who represented the American
Cause, were all combined against
him, but all failed to reprcss his ar.
dor. How strikingly was the native
energy of his character displayed in
the events Of his fight from the
shores of France, and his appear.
ance on the theatre of our revolu.
tionary struggle! His military talent
in the field, his political sagacity in
the council, during his eventful cam.
paigns on our American soil, his ex-
ertions in our behalf at the French
court, and the esteem with which he
was uniformly regarded by Washing.
ton, bear honorable evidence to the
good qualities which adorn both the
head and the heart of the youthful
disciple of liberty.
True to his principles, he renoun.
ced even the hereditary honors of his
family. Had he sought for personal
agggandizement by worshipping the
rising star Of Napoleon's fortune, he
might have realized his most bound.
less desires. Had he accepted the
presidency of a republic, he might
have assumed q dictatorship, and
moved in the dazzling orbit Of abso.
lutte command. If Lafayette ever
really aspired to the highest Office in
the government, we, cannot doubt,
relying on the testimony of his whole
public life, that bis aspirations we're
consecrated by the purest and
most patriotic motives. Struggling
Greece, enslayed Poland, Spain and
Portugal distracted and convulsed,
as well as oppressed America, and
his native land, participated in his
sympathles, and engaged his cxer-
tons i'll the cause Of liberty.
When we view Lafayette's influ.
ence during the first days of the
French revolution; when we see him,
in the public assembly, demanding
from the Count d'Artois that the
rights Of the French people to per-
sonal security, personal liberty, and
private property, should be consid.
cred inviolate; when we look at his
wonderful organization Of the Nation.
al Guard, and witness his capacity
to command; when at Versailles be
preserved the royal family and his
own life from an armed and infuria-
ted mob; We see only another deyel.
opment of that character so nob!v
stamped during his services in our
struggle for independence-and that
impress was as deep and well defined
in the last stage of his life, as wien
it appeared fresh from the plastic in
huence Of the revolution.
We freely admit that, if there was
any error in Lafayctte's political
course, it was, that his patriotism
sometimes blinded him to the faults
and frail!ies Of his countrymen; that
he sometimes INDUCED the hope of
seeing his most ardent desire for
France accomplished in the complete
adoption of American principles OF
government. Of his consistency,
the well.known declaration of Charles
X. that he knew but two men who
had always professed the same prin
ciples himself and Lafayette is
sufficient evidence. With tho mob,
his popularity did, indeed, huctuatc;
but he was always beloved by the
nation.
Yet his talents and life were nev.
er truly estimated and rewarded BY
the French people. Trance never
paid the debt of patcrnal love which
she owed to q son whose proudcs
boast was that Of pure filial affection
I4afay yette died a good old age; bu
his reward, though embittercd by ths
untoward issue of his labors, was EN-
phatically the reward of the patriot
american Uaion. #
. a. 81.