Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-09-15
France, America, and Lafayette.

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assisted the colonies as they were striving to
cast of the burdens and restraints placed
upon them by the mother country. The
statue is colossal in size and represents La
Iayette standing in the prov Of boat just
reached the shores of America, and offering
his sword for the defense of American lib
critics. No design more appropriate to the
occasion and to the memories Of the times Of
one hundred years ago could have been chosen
than this statue of Lafayette placing himself
on the side Of liberty and independence for
an oppressed and struggling people.
Though other EN- inent and brave foreign
ers whose names will never fade from the
Of the American people, risked
their lives in the service Of the colonies, the
memory Of Lafayette is most treasured by
all. Giving up, as he did, his great, almost
grand prospects in his own country, and
coming to this country for the only reason
Of helping the cause Of liberty wherever
nc IOuuu Us uO WOuuSE us name 10 piaVVu
by the people among those of Washington,
Hancock aud Adams. None other could
have been chosen by France whose name
would appeal more to the hearts of the
American people. But in speaking OF the
ilustrious Lafayette and his services our
thoughts naturally wander on to the consid-
Grafton Of the French people themselves.
Though SO different in temperament, origin.
physique, etc., there is one common, ruling
idea in the minds and hearts of the people
of France and those Of America love Of
liberty and country. Long before the United
States of America had been recognized by
the mother country as free and independent,
France had been subject to a series OF revo.
lutions, ostensibly for the purpose Of estab-
fishing a republic. But these revolutions
were those of the lowest classes who wished
for a republic only that they might crafty
their thirst for blood and rapine and appease
their desire for revenge against the nobility.
lucoC EONOlutlOuo, VI AiOeoi
were always quenched and the government
once more placed under kingly rule. Thus
the struggle went on between the two classes
with varying success. The government was
nearly always under kiugy rule, but the
freedom-loving spirit which once only mani
tested itself in the hearts Of the laboring
classes, began to rise and permeate the bos-
oms of the better classes. This spirit grew
along the passing years, and yet the men
aud the opportunity did not come whereby
republic could be established upon living
principles. But after the seemingly disas-
trous war with Germany-after the over
throw of the Orleans dynasty-the time
came Men came to the front who seemed
made for the emergencies and troubles
which attend the establishment Of a republic
in any king.ruled country. Especially hard
was the struggle 10 France. The people Of
that country, if we may use the expression,
make the best revolutionists in the world,
But the trouble is, they keep on revolving
and make the work Of establishing perma.
nent freedom doubly hard. But the better
feelings Of the people triumphed aud to-day
France takes her place beside the United
States as one of the two most powerful re-
publics in the world To be sure some Of
the principles which rule the administration
and laws Of that country are very different
from ours, but that is explained by the diff
ferent temperaments and requirements Of its
people, One of the most wonderful things
in the history of the French people is the
elasticity displayed by them in recovering
from the devastating results of war and the
resources which they have shown in paying
the indemnity to Germany, after the close Of
the Franco-Prussian war. The close of that
war found them with a country over-run and
devastated, population decimated by the
loss of thousands of her brave sons, huge
war debt on her hands and an immense H.
demnity to pay to her couqueror. Yet the
present time finds no trace of war lying on
face of that fair country; but it finds the
indemnity paid to the last cent aud the coun.
try so powerful and rich that even Germany
would hesitate to provoke the sleeping lioa
The other day an immense French loan was
put upon the market and what was the re.
suit? Why, three times the amount was
subscribed in few days in France alone
Why could not this state Of things be
brought around in this country2 The OBJ.
staces are many, some avoidable, some I'M
avoidable. But perhaps the greatest reason
is that the French are much more economi.
cal than the Americans.
Though in Paris and other large cities
everything appears to be conducted on a
scale of the widest extravaganza, yet as q
rule the French are very economical. Every
one knows the.marveous ingenuity Of the
French cooks how they will construct the
most unique dainties from food that the
American housekeeper would throw away in
disgust. 1t is 50 all through the republic
every one is frugal. This economy carried
into effect all through the country explain.
how the French take up their own loans and
pay their foreign debts. When our owl
country learns the same lesson these peopl,
have got, then will the cry of hard time
be heard no more in the land.
But to return to the original subject The
friendship of the two republics, cementod BY
the memory of tho immortal Lafayette
should forever be kept up and mutual lessons
learned: by the one on the art OF free gov
eminent, and by the other in economy and
frugality. Long live the republics Of France