Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-17
ErTE.
France HOnOrs the IIlustri Gus Patriot
from Gallenani's Messenger.l

tFrom Galignanis Messengerl
The good citizens of LIE Puy are engaged
in completing arrangements to erect on the
9th of September next statue in memory
Of Gen. Lafayette. Invitations to attend
the inaugural ceremonies have been accepted
by many of the distinguished men of France,
and the government will be represented by
the Minister of War, Gen. Thibaudln, and
by the Minister of the Interior, Wadcck-
Rousseau. The American Minister, Mr.
Morton, will be present to take part in the
inaugural services, officially expressing the
earness sympathy of the United States in
this tribute TO the memory of one Of the
purcst and noblcst of patriots. The army
will be largely represented. giving to it all
'pomp and circumstance" of military dis
play. The municipal authorities have APP
pointed it as a general holiday. The streets
are to be decorated with flags and brilliantly
Illuminated at night. II will be amid the re-
joicings of the people that the statue, which
many have seen in our last exhibition, will be
unveiled. 1t will mark the gratitude of the
people OF France for one who was ever faith
full to the principles of constitutional liberty,
and whose life was the devoted expression of
duty and patriotism. 1t can not be claimed
for Lafayette that he stood by the power of
his genius in the foremost rank of great men,
but, as we follow him through the great
events of his life, through the lofty aud per-
ilous paths of duty which he ever trod with
earnest faith, we shall find that he was en-
dowed with qualities to win respect and
love; that he exercised a powerful influence
in the progress of liberty. that he was a man
OF devoted patriotism, OF pure affection, Of
earnest zeal, with holy ambition of phil
anthropy, and a devoted love for liberty as
the governing principle in national life. Few
men have taken part in so many of the great
movements of history. During the American
Revolution he was the friend and officer
of Washington, rendering most i'm
portant service. In the first hours Of the
French revolution he seemed to hold the
destinies of France in his hands. He was n
member of the assembly OF the Notables
and organized the National Guards. He
endured an Imprisonment OF five years with
resignation and dignity. He lived through
the rule of the Consulate and the Empire,
and his closing labor was a prominent par
ticipation in the revolution OF 1880. Through
all he was inspired by the strongest sympa-
thies for the rights and interests of humanity,
and a pertlnacity in maintaining them,
which in all the marvellous vicisstudes of his
siDgularly eventful life secured for him for
so many years so large measure OF conf
dence and respect. Such was the man
whose memory is to be honorcd by the citi
zens of lie Puy. The committee of arrange
ments have most cordially invited the Amer
cans Ia France to participate in this tribute |
of respect and gratitude to the memory of
one who rendered such important services to
their country, who was the friend of Wash
ington, who took an honorable part in the |
hat nf ha vh cd
the votes of the Continental Congress, and |
who was twice welcomed as the Nations |
guest with grateful rejoicings. We trust that |
this Invitation will be most cordially accept |
ed, and that the necessary steps will be I'M
mediately taken by the Americans in Paris
to secure au imposing representation at the
erection OF monument to the man who,
next to Washington, best deserves the graft
lude Of the great Republic.