Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-30
THE FRENCH STATUE OF LAFAY.
EETE.
ITS dwelling ut lie Puy.

Nv Sh'shhbS W he rug
The unwilling of the first statue erected to
Lafayette in France, on the 9th of September
last has been heretofore announced in our
columns. President Buckham received n
day or two since, from Hon. Levi p. Nor.
ton, United States minister to France,
photograph of the French statue. 1t is of
troDzc and is much younger in face and
figure than the Ward statue. The hero is in
military costume, with cpaulets, sword and
boots, In one hand is chapeau, and the
other Eolds alott a tr-color cockade, in COM
mcmoration Of the fact that Lafayette was
the first to propose the tri-color as the Ma
tional emblem of France. Onc of the faces
of the pedestal, which is somewhat higher
and more deliberately ornamented than that
at the University, bears the inscription "Je
vous apportc une cocarde qui fera lie tour du
monde bring you cochade which will
make the circuit OF the world. The statue
stands on prominent site, facing the lofty
hills on the other side OF the valley of lie Puy
in the department Of Haul Loire.
Galignani's Messenger, of September 9TH
gives more extended account of the unveil-
ing of the French statue than we have
elsewhere seen. 1t was evidently great
occasion at lie Puy. The town was crowded
with visitors from Paris and other portions
of France, including a number of distin-
guished French officials. Several triumphal
arches spanned the route of the procession,
and the town was gaily decorated. The
chief address from the platform was by SEN
atur Vissaguet, who said, as the highest pos
sible praise, that Lafayette deserves to be
called the WASHINGTON of France. United
States Minister Morton, in his remarks,
which were frequently applauded said ii
am happy to express to you the sympathetic
interest OF my government, and the grateful
affection of the citizens of the United States,
Tor the illustrious patriot, who, next to
Washington, of all the heroes of the Revolu-
ton awakens in American hearts the deepest
gratitude. What is it that gives TO
Lafayette his spotless fame / answer; his
unfaltering devotion to constitutional free
dom for always whether in the days of the
monarchy, the Empire or the Republic, he
was ever the consistent advocate of the SUI
prcmacy Of law. His love of liberty was the
inspiration of his life. This lifelikc statue,
one OF the triumphs of art, will recall to gem
erations yet unborn, the great services which
he rendered to the sacred cause Of constitu-
tional liberty. Would that he
could hear the words of respect and graft
tude which greet lis memory to-day.
Would that he could look out and see that
the two countries, which he loved and served
so well, were never NOR, closely united in
sympathy and goodwill than on this day,
when the citizens of both are here engaged
in inaugurating a statue to perpctuate his
Only few weeks have PASSED since more
than $1,000 people assembled at Burlington,
in my native State, t. inan ,uratc a statue of
Lafayette and relay the cornerstone of the
University of Vermont, which was originally
laid by the illustrious General during his
visit To the United States in 1926. Among
those present were the governor of the State,
all the living tx,gov,rnOrs, the president,
faculty aud trustees of the University, bat
talions of United States troops, of the Ma
tional Guard of the State and OF the Grand
Army of the Republic.
We have assembled to-day, for similar
purpose, near the birthplace of Lafayette,
and esteem |. great privilege to stand in
The presence of-and teel that may claim,
Doth. Tor my country and personally, the
friendship OF the grandson-your distinguish
I'd Senator, NJ. Edmond de Lafayette, and
other descendants of the great patriot aud
soldier. His name is a household word from
he Atlantic 10 the Pacific, and will be for
al time imperishably associated with that of
W eSHib6'ch, VIZ 6iuIiCst Ill
can history May the friendship formed on
he field ard in the camp between Washing
ON and Lafayettc-typical representatives OF
he grand qualities of the French and Amer |
can citizen soldier-reman unbroken be. |
.ween the two great Republics until the end |
If time"
NJ. Edmond de Lafayette, Senator, thank |
ID the Inhabitants of lie Puy in the name OF |
lis family for the striking demonstration |
made in honor of his ancestor, aud said he |
vas deeply moved at the presence of so many |
representatives of the American republic and /
President of the French republic and the |
ministry. The career of Lafayette, Just |
iepic.ed in such eloquent terms, might be |
ummed up in a few words Unshakeable |
convictions, and the unity and logic of |
,olitical faith and conduct. (Cheers.) La
ayette was ardent just, and generous, and
vas as admirable in private MS in public life. |
q conclusion, the speaker recalled the fact |
hat Lafayette first proclaimed the rights of |
nan which now rendered his hearers free
men.
M. Waldeck-Rousseau, minister of the
nterior said that Mr.. blorton's cordial ex-
'ressions of good will were fully reciprocated
n France. France ard The United States,
lie was sure, would neither launch into any
dventure against other States, or permit
thers to modest them. The reason why no
tatue had hitherto been raised TO the men,
ny of Lafayette, in France, was that his
anne has been untarnished and needed no
memorial. The statues erected to him proved
hat dcmocracies are not ungrateful.
At grand banquet given in the evening
lr. Morton spoke again in response to toast
0 the President of the United States, and in
losing proposed the health of ''the President
I the council general aud Senator of the de-
artment of the Haute Loire, who honors
nd digni6es the illustrious name he bears
,dmond dc Lafayette" Adding that il he,
ne grandson Of Gen. Lafayette, would
ist the United States he would be as warmly
as was his ilustrious ancestor.
'ther speeches were made by United States
onsul General Walker, Gen. Vuillemot,
Iinister of war, NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau,
presenting the President of the Republic
France, and others, and grand reception
as subsequently, held at the Prefecture.
he occasion was in all respects a most j
otable one, aud 1t is certainly remarkable I
ct that bronze statues of Lafayette should r
i've been unveiled within a few weeks of
ch other on both stiles Of the Atlantic with
1poslng civil and military honors. r
President Buckham will send to United
ates Minister Morton handsome photo
aph of the statue which adorns the Uni !
Tsity park, aud judging from the photo
aph of the French statue, we may venture
Q opinion that it will be conceded that our
atue does not suffer by comparison with C
at at lie Puy. 10