Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-11-05
THE NEXT CENTENNIAL.


1t seem that each locality rend Tered
famous during the Revolution is bound
to have Centennial. The PhiIadel.
phia Record, in alluding to the ques.
tion, remarks:
Ninety. y.elght years ago today tho
articles OF capitulation by which the
main British army under Lord Corn.
wallis was surrendered to the allied
forces of America and France at York.
town were completed by commission.
ers appointed on the previous day 10
confirm the conditions Of the proposed
surrender more explicitly. October
10 these articles were daily signed.
At noon the two redoubts on the lett
flank of Yorktown were delivered over,
one to the American infantry, the
other to the French grenadiers. At !
o'clock P. n, two works on the Glou-
cester side OF the York river were de-
livered respectively TO the French and
American troops. At z. N. the cap
tured garrison Of Yorktown marched
out to the appointed place in front OF
the post, with shouldered arms, ceased
colors and their drums beating q
British march. They grounded their
arms and returned to their encamp-
ment, to remain until sent to their
several destinations in Virginia, Mary
land and Pennsylvania. AT 3 p. NJ
tho garrison OF Gloucester marched
out, the infantry in the manner observ.
ed by that arm OF tho service on the
opposite side Of the river an hour be
fore, and the cavalry with trumpcts
sounding and drawn swords. The
pageant was characterized, as BETTING
the greatness of the occasion, one OF
the most memorable events in history,
by all tho dramatic circumstances OF
war. The land forces became prison.
ers to the United States and the ma
rine forces to the naval array of France.
The French had provided for the seige
OF Yorktown thirty.seven ships Of the
line and contingent Of seven thousand
troops, while the Americans supplied
nine thousand troops, but not single
ship.
The browning victory Of the Revo.
luton was due in great part to France,
and 1t is not too much to say that with.
out the timely aid of Louis XVI. in the
men, money and munitions OF war with
which he supported his early recogni.
tions of our independence, American
self.government would not have been
achieved so soon by many weary years,
and the Colonies might have remain
cd like the Canadas, appendagcs OF the
British crown. In one Of the darkest
hours of the heroic and apparently
forlorn struggle Of our foreiathers a
herald OF France landed at what is now
Portland. in Maine, and proclaimed, in
the old knightly fashion, the alliance
between our feeble Provinces and "His
most Christian Majesty" Louis XVI.
The chivalrous French boy, Lafayette,
filled with generous enthusiasm, had
already given his virgin sword TO the
cause Of freedom, and his subsequent
voluntary diplomatic service in our
behalf at the French Court had brought
us the moral and material might OF the
great nation which gave him birth.
Nor was his personal military service
inconsiderable. Washington did re-
2eated honor TO his strategic talent.
That the operations Of Lafayette led
directly TO the final environment and
capture Of CORVALLIS is the deliberate
judgment of one Of the best-infOrmed
historians of the Revolutionary epoch
In the French contribution to our
American autonomy VIC should not
forget the efficient though quiet inna.
enco OF the noble young bride Of Laiay-
ette, nor of that other historic French
woman, the unmatched Marie An.
toinette.
In view Of this retrospect II Is de-
mandcd by all the proprieties Of tho
occasion that the centennial obscrv.
ance at Yorktown, two years hence,
shall be not merely Of national, hut an
international COMMUNICATION. France
was our opportune, foremost and stead
fast friend amongst the nations. She
ia now a Republic, and reflects our
free popular principles with illustrlous
courage amidst the environment OF
European monarchics. 1t is meet that
her accredited representatives should
he jnvited In narticipato In the august