Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-10-29


festival, has been looked upon by us not only
as an act of the highest courtesy but especi-
ally as mark of affectionate regard having
the noble aim of cementing yet more closely
the ties which unite the two republics In
commemoration of this day. which represents
one of the grandest events of the political ex-
istence of this country, the French government
has sent mission composed of special dele
gates from different departments, and the
President of the French republic wishing to
mark his personal sympathy, has sent one ol
his own aides-decamp. They thus desire tc
show particularly their appreciation of the
graceful compliment paid to our country. Each
and all of us are proud of having been called
to the honor of representing France on this
auspicious day. The monument which is here
t. be erected will not only recall glorious
-xctory, but it will perpetuate the recollections
of an ever faithful alliance, faithful through
the trials and vicissitudes of an eventful coun-
try, and as the President of the Frencb. b.republit
has so truly said, it will consecrate the Union
sprung from generous and liberal aspirations,
and which the institutions we can boas
of in common must necessarially strengthen
and develop for the good of both countries.
In coming to this Yorktown Centennial we
come to celebrate the day which ended that
long and bitter struggle against great nation,
now our mutual ally and friend who here, as
under all skies where her flag has foated, has
left ineffaceable marks of her grand and
civilizing spirit. We came to celebrate the
glorious date when the heroes of independence
were able to set their final seal to the solemn
proclamation of the 4th of July, 1776.
We come also to salute the dawn of that era
of prosperity where, led by her great men,
America permitted the intelligence of her peo-
pie to soar and their energy to manifest itself,
and thus the power of the United States has
strengthened and every year has added to the
prestiage which surrounds her star-spangled
banner. When France brought from bey ond
the seas the corporation of her army and of
her navy to this valiant people engaged in a
war for its independence, when Lafayette,
Kochambeu De Grasse and so many others
drew in their footsteps the young and brave
scions of our most illustrious families, they
yield to generous impulse and came with dis
interested courage to sustain the cause of
liberty. A blessing went with their endeavors
and gave success to their arms, for when one
hundred years ago, as to-day, the French and
the Americans grasped each others hands at
Yorktown, they realized that they had helped
to lay the cornerstone of great edifce. But
surely the most far-sighted among those men
would have started had he been able to look
down the long vista of century and see at
this end this republic, then young and strug
Cling with all the difficulties which surround
her, now calm, radiant and beaming with her
halo ofprosperity. The great Washington him.
self, whose genius foresaw the destiny of this
country, could not have predicted this. Truly
the United States have made, especially in
these latter years, gigantic strides along the
route to still greater progress by showing to
the world what can be accomplished by an
energetic nation always as respectful of its
duties as jealous of its rights. America has
given great example, and has been cause
Of AuJoicing to all true lovers of liberty. France
is proud of having contributed to found this
great republic, and her wishes for your pros
perity are deep and sincere. The mutual
frienship is founded ON many affinities of taste
and aspirations, which time cannot destroy,
and future generation, trust, will assist
again in this same place at the spectacle upre-
cedented in history of two great nations re-
newing from century to century compact of
flaternal and impelishable affection. l will
not close without thanking the Federal govern
ment, the different States of the Union of
which the delegation have been guests, also the
people of America for the sympathy and well
come extended to the representatives of France.
Each of us will treasure the rceollections of
American hospitality and the friendly senti-
ments which have been manifested to us in
every place and in every sphere.
The Marquis De Rochambeau made
graceful response in French. in which
he said
Citizens of the United States, you
have invited us to celebrate with you
the great achievement of arms, and we
did not hesitate to brave the terTors of the
ocean to say to you that what our fathers and
brothers did In 1881, we, their sons, would be
willing to do to-day, and to attest our constant
friendship, and to further show that we cher
rish the same sentiments as our 1athers IN
those glorious days we celebrate. In the name
of my companions, who represent here the
men who fought, permit me to hope that the
attachment formed in these days around this
monument. which is about to be erected, will
again celebrate the victory which joined our
fathers in comradeship and alliance.
Baron Seuben then responded in
German in m appropriate speech,
which was loudly applauded. There
were vociferous cheers for our distin-
guished guests.
He could not decline call to speak when
he reflected that he might aid in bringing back
in small degree, if only for a day, the old
relations of mutual amity and good nature
which existed in the days Of our fathers be-
tween Virginia and Massachusetts,. 1t was
peculiarly his to bear the greetings of Plymouth
Rock to jamestown and of Bunker Hill to
Yorktown. Our earliest and latest acknow-
Istsssfaents ere due this day to France. The
enthusiasm kindled in the breast of Lafayette
when he heard of our Declaration of Indepen-
dence was the beginning of that generous
flame which inspired our subsequent relations
with France, and led the train of influences
and events eliminating four years after in the
surrender of CORVALLIS. Mr.. Winthrop then
/ aced the historical incidents of the alliance
] ith France and the operations before York
wn. He referred to the joy of Washington
'er the tidings of the arrival of the Count De
Grasse with his feet in Chesapeake bay
"Thanks to God thanks to France from all
our hearts at this hour for this true and pure
joy which lightened the hearts and dispelled
the anxieties of our Incompatible leader" He
depicted with graphic power the scene follow
ing the surrender. Each of the prominent
personages who participated in this event was
sketched with rare fidelity In his tribute to
Washington he says ''Virginians, you hold
his dust as the most precious possession OF
your soil and would not let it go even to the
massive mausoleum prepared for it beneath
the Capitol at Washington, which no other
dust can ever fill. Sacredly and jealously
guard his principles, his examples. No second
Washington will ever be yours or ours"
Addressing the French delegation, after an
eloquent review of the services rendered by
France, he said "Welcome, welcome, then to
the representatives of France who have come,
at the invitation of our government, to wit
ness some of the results of what Frenchmen
did for us and helped us to do for ourselves
so long ago, and may peace and goodwill be
perpetual between the land of Lafayette and
the land of Washington. We of this genera
tiOn cannot stand here TODAY on this soil OF