The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-06-27
An Historic Event Recalled.

The ceremonies at Burlington yesterday
wildly recall thrilling episode in the
history of this Nation, the farewell visit
of Lafayette. Deeply interesting local
incidents in that memorable tour of the
states in 1925 are also freshly revived by the
unwilling of the statue of Americas great
friend, in the park of the University
perched above the waters of Champlain.
With the general history of the Nations
and the states guest of more than half a
century ago, every school.child is-or
should be-familar If there is any gen.
eral ignorance among Vermont lads and
lasses OF the present day and generation
concerning the history of the hero whose
name and services have just now been
called up anew by press and orator, by
philanthropy and genius, the shame and
the disgrace be upon the schools which
have so soon ceased to be nurseries of
patriotism, which 80 neglect to kindle in
the hearts of the young love and reverence
for the man who helped to give them a
Nation, whose motives were as pnre.
whose deeds as unselfsh, as they were
chivalric and inspiring. A generation
ago his name was still on every tongue,
and mothers gave their sons his name in
grateful recollection of his services in
making and preserving for them free
country.
Lafayette was born in 1857. When at
Lexington the shot was fired that was
"heard around the world" and when the
battle of Bunker Hill clinched the issue
between the colonies and the motherland,
he was boy of less than eighteen years.
A marquis, heir to an immense estate, hap
PLY married and in the enjoyment of every
luxury and pleasure which wealth could
buy, the "shot" at Lexington smote a
sympathetic ear. Forbidden by his king
to leave France, to avoid arrest he left
his wife without apprising her of his in
tention, and in company with DeKalb
and other European officers sailed for
America in the early months of 1776 to
tender his services to the "embattled
farmers " under Washington. He exacted
from the Continental Congress but one
condition-that he should be permitted to
serve without pay. The battle of Brandy
wine showed of what stuff the boy-enthu.
siast was made. He had at first won the
regard OF Washington, and in July, 1777,
at twenty years of age, congress testified
its confidence by commissioning him a
major-general. BY his influence at the
French court the moral and material aid
OF France was secured. Though this
was oftentimes disappointing, when meas
ured by the expectations the French al.
lance excited, it was undeniably of great.
If not decisive, advantage. During the
war he made two voyages to France in
the interest of the colonists and was
throughout an ardent, helpful and sue
cessful lieutenant of Washington. He
arrived in this country as the Nations
guest in August, 1924, and during his
visit made the tour of each of the then
twenty-four states.
BY invitation of the legislature of YER
mont he entered the state June 20, 1926,
at Windsor. An address of welcome,
burning with love and gratitude, was de-
livered by Governor Van Ness. Old revo-
lutionary soldiers, in the language of the
eloquent governor, "their hearts still
warm as the warmest, and tender as the
tenderest, were lighted up and animated
by blaze, kindled by spark from the
altar of '76." At Woodstock, Royalton,
Montpelier and Burlington, feeling words
OF honest welcome were spoken from full
hearts. Between the general and his old
comrades there were many melting scenes
" Tears OF joyful recognition and of un-
willing separation flowed in every state in
the Union."' AT Burlington Sergeant
Day, of Lafayette's old regiment, was pres
emit, bearing the sword presented to him