National Republican., 1883-09-22
THE MARQUIS LAFAYETTE.
dwelling Of a Statue in His Native Town,
La Puys.
An American who WINS Present Describes
the Work and the Scene.
Epecinl LeNer.

near the birthplace of the great friend of
America and apostle of French liberty. BY
invitation of Senator Edmond dc Lafayette, the
American minister and large delegation of
citizens of the United States left Paris to par
ticipate in the ceremonies. The quaint old
town of Lo Puy was profusely decorated with
flags and festoons of flowers and great throngs
Of people were assembled from all parts of the
country. Gaily declSed officials, soldiers in
bright uniforms, and bands of music escorted
the various delegations TO their places at the
base of the tall pedestal supporting the
shrouded statue Addresses were deliv-
cred by tho prefect, or mayor, of tho
town and by Monsieur Waldeck- Rousseau,
minister of the interior of France, Hon. Levi
p Morton, United States minister, and by
Senator Edmond de Lafayette, who responded
in behalf of his distinguished ancestor. Dur
ing the proceedings three little girls, dressed
in red, white, and blue, presented bouquet to
M. Waldeck- Rousseau, Hon. l.. =. Morton,
and Col. Lichstenstein, the representative OF
President Grevy, and there was much laugh
ter and applause when they acknowledged
the compliment by kissing the children. After
the ceremonies at tho base of the statue, q
banquet was given by the civic authorities
Joined with Mons. de Lastenyie, great
grandson Of Lafayette, and treasurer general
of the department.. Toasts were drank and
speeches made by Minister Morton, Consul
General Walker. and number of French offi-
cials and statesmen, all breathing spirit OF
veneration for Lafayette and admiration of
republican institutions In the course of
radical political speech M. Waldeck-
Rousseau said the reason no statue
had hitherto been raised to the memory
of Lafayette was because his name was
untarnished and he needed no memorial;
but it behooved France to place on record
the great sacrifice made by Lafayette
as an aristocrat to the cause Of the people.
The statue is ON imposing bronze figure of
Lafayette dressed in the uniform of the ma
tional guards, with his chapeau in his left
hand, and bearing aloft in his right the tri-
color cockade-blue, white, and red--first in
troduced by Lafayette to symbolic the union
of the three political factions of France, the
Orleanists, tho Bourboms, and the republicans,
and now signalizes the motto of France
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" The pedes-
tai is inscribed as follows:
A. LAFAYETTE.
Je dpportG cocade qui frd e tour du monde.
II Juliet 1889.
The statue has not the dgnifled and i'm
pressive mon of the figure so well known to
us, standing in rugged simplicity In plain
overcoat without ornament or decoration,
but is pleasing work of art with majestic
pose worthy tho illustrious original. 1t has
been greatly criticised, especially in regard
to the height of the pedestal, which exceeds
the monument is very imposing.
This monument possesses great significance
as being the first statue of Lafayette ever
erected in France. From his moderation and
conservatism he was never popular with the
great mass of radical republicans, and was
odious to the imperialist because he opposed
the life consulate of Napoleon and the estab-
lishment of the empire. He was looked on with
suspicion by the extreme republicans of his
day on account of his saving Louis XVI and
his family from the mob; and after
the attack on the Tuileries in 1892
he was threatened with death if he al
lowed the king to escape. Possibly If he
had Joined the extreme radicals at that time
and given his great name and abilities toward
guiding and moderating the temper of the
revolutionary elements republicans might
then have been successful Subsequent events,
however, justify the belief that it would have
been unavailing. 1t was the destiny of the
French people to pass through q long and pain
full course of political training to fit them
selves for self government. With all their
grand ideas of liberty, superior to any other
nation on carth it required severe tribula-
tions and woful experiences to teach them
that liberty is controlled by law, and the free
dom of the individual is subordinate to the
good of the state. Tho nation seems now to
be fixed on sure basis Of republicanism and
of representative self government. Tho in
fuences of tradition and hereditary respect for
tion of the ignorant; and the unprincipled
legitimist or imperialist leaders are ready to
take advantage of this fast weakening senti-
ment, but now indeed, as proclaimed by
Thiers "A republic is the only possible gov
ernnent for France"
The name of Lafayette seems doomed to ex-
tinction. The last of tho male line in regu-
lar descent is the present Senator Edmond de
Lafayette, son of George Washington do La
fayette and grandson of the great marquis.
He resides at the Chateau Chavaignac the
birthplace of Lafayette, u short distance from
lie Puy, is n bachelor, courtly gentleman,
and man of ability and requirements He
speaks English fluently, has visited our coun-
try twice. is an enthusiastic admirer of our
institutions, and staunch French republican
of the Gambettist school, strongly inclined
to radicalism; tempered, however, in action
by what is known among the advanced lib
erals of both England and Spain as oppor-
tunism.
1t is related of a celebrated Roman noble
man, who was member of one of tho orders
of the church, that by permission of the pope
he left his monastery and was married in or
der that the name of the noble family to
which he belonged should be perpetuated.
After the birth of two sons he again retired
to his holy cell and resumed the duties of
priest of the church. This suggestion ought
TO be submitted to Senator de Lafayette as n
duty he owes to both France and America,
who still preserve, after so many years. the
veneration and respect due to n distinguished
name. There are, however, descendants Of
Lafayette through his daughters, the DO Las
teryies, owners of Lafayette's homestead, La
Grange, and the Beaumonts, both families dis
tinguished in the political and military history
of France The Count de Beaumont will be
remembered as the young gentleman who
represented the family of Lafayette
ut the Yorktown celebration What more
appropriate than for him. or both him and
Mons. de Lasteryie, to assume the cognomen
of the family, not as title but as a family
name, in order that tho honored namo of
LAFAYETTE may not disappear from the land
beautiful piece of ground Immediately in
front of the executive mansion in Washing
ton has been appropriately called Lafayette
square, which is embellished with an eques-
trian statue of Jackson. What more appro-
pirate and graceful tribute could be offered
TO the name and services of Lafaye' to than
the erection in this square of statue 30 his
memory? Tho people of the United States
would hail with enthusiasm the presence of
the venerable Senator Edmond dc Lafayette
at the Inauguration of such monument.
FERNANDO JONES.