Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-29
LAFAYETTE.
Sketch Of His Life-liis Visit TO
Vermont.
Reception in Burlington-Laying the
Corner Stone of the University.
An Interesting Chapter Of Local Remi-
niscence-Thc University sixty Years


niscen,e-Thc University sixty Years
Ago.
The erection in the college park in this
city Of bronze statue Of the eminent patriot
aud revolutionary General. Lafayette, the
work of sculptor OF national fame and the
gift of munifccnt patron OF our State Uni
vcrsty. is an event OF very unusual in.
tcresl and one which will attract atten-
tion on both sides of the Atlantic. As a
supplement to the imposing ceremonies at
tending the unvciling of the statue, the fol-
lowing sketch Of the noble career of General
Lafayette, and account of his visit to Ver-
mont IN l62j, and of the laying OF the corner
stone OF the University building by his
hands, cannot fail to deeply interest our
readers.
The Life of Lafayette.
Marie Jeau Paul Roch Yves Moticr, Mar
quis D. Lafayette, was son of one OF the
Oldest houses of the French mobility, one Of
his ancestors being a marshal OF France, dis
tipguishcd for his military prowcss. HeWss
born at the chateau du Chavaguac, in Au-
vtrsnc, france. September 9, 1857. lie was
educated at the College du Plesss, Paris ;
married al the early age of lG noble lady
still younger than himself, and soon after en-
tered the French Guards. His sympathy
with the American colonies iu their bold de-
claration Of independence led him To seek the
acquaintance of the American agents in
Paris, Franklin, Deane and Lee, aud ut the
darkest period OF our revolutionary war, he
announced to them his intention To go TO
America and offer his services and sword to
the cause Of American Liberty. lie at once
purchased aud fitted out ship with his own
funds, and, narrowly escaping arrest, and
against the orders Of his king and protests Of
relatives and friends, except his wife who
shared his enthusiasm, sailed from Spanish
port, accompanied by Baron de Kalb, aud
other oil GERS. They arrived nt Charleston,
s. -, April %, III, and Lafayette at once
offered himself rs a volunteer, TO Congress.
His action Produced VERY great sensation
both in Europe and AmcIi''i, aud 1t still
stands as one uf the most important incidents
of the revolution. Congress gave him COM
mission Us u mi r.general. lie became the
warm friend ui Washington and though not
yet 20, soon showed his ability to command.
He fought and was wounded in tie leg at the
battle Of Bruntywine and when his wound
healed he was appointed TO tue command of
u division distinguished himself at the bat
tie ui Monmouth, and was thanked by Con.
press for Eis u.!unlry. War having broken
out between France and England, Lafayette,
who still retained his commission in the
Freuch army, Obtained leave Of abs, nee aud
sailed for home, in January, l,i0. He was
enthusiastically received by the French peo-
pie, and after 4 years stay, in which he OBJ
tanned impnltint assistance in men aud
money from the French government, for the
American cause, he returned TO this country,
resumed command in our army, and particip-
ated IN the campaign against Cornwallis,
with vigor, discretion and success,
which, says Mr.. Everett, saved the State of
Virginia, and proved himself endowed with
the highest qualities OF geneluiship."
Having driven the British into Yorktown, he
held Cornwallis there ill the arrival of Wash
ington ard Rochamt eau, and for his services,
especially in the seige of Yorktown, when he
headed 0ne Ct the assaling columns, he was
publicly thanked by Washington, the day af-
ter the surrender of Cornwalis, and again
later by Congress. Our revolutionary con-
test thus virtually ended, he returned to
France, aud n letter from him to Congress,
peace, nj Paris. lie returned to this coun-
try for short visit in 1884, when he was re-
ceived with remarkable demonstrations of
respect and affection. Returning to Europe,
he at once took a leading position as men,
ber of tie Chamber of NOtables and cham
pion of the liberal movement in France. II
was upon his demand that the States General
was convokcd, and after the fall Of the Bas
tile, he was made commander-in- chief Of the
National Guards Of Paris, which b, came the
controlling power of the country. 1t was al
his suggestion that the ticUlor was adoptec
as the French flag. So great was his inuu
ence at this time Of turmoil, that 1t has beer
said of him that "his history for period, be
came almost the history Of France" and hi
power was always exercised On tue siGe o
moderation, humanity and constitutions
liberty. His courage, at the head OF bod.
of his guards, during the dreadful tumults O
October 9Th and Gth 1889, saved the lives o
the King Louis XVI. and Queel Marie An
toinelte from the infuriatcd mob which ha
taken possession OF the palace OF Versailles
After the adoption of the constitution, La
fayette was among the first to take the oat
of support 10 it IN the name OF The nation
and then resiguing the Command OF the Ma
tional Guards, he retired to his estates. l
the war with Austria, in l193, Lafayett
and fought aud won the battles {
Phillip, Vile, Maubeuge and Florennei
But he had won the hatred of tn
Jacobus by his moderation and b
was denounced as traitor, his in
mense hereditary fortune was cOniiscated an
he fled to Germany, only TO be captured !
the Austiaus aud imprisoned in the castle
Qlmuz Ills devoted wife obtained leave
STARE his captivity and never recovered fro
It's eif,cs After an attempt TO cscap
yybich almost succeeded by the and OF tv
American friends, and after the United Stat
aud Great Bl itan had ntcrCcded for his r
lease, he was at last, after five years impri
onmenr, liberated on the demand Of Bon
parte, In 1878 he again became promine
as champion of liberty in Tue Chamber
Deputies In 1924 Congress, by formal res
luton, directed President Monroe 10 inv
him TO visit the United States. lie col
piled and made tour Of this country whi
was like iriumphal progress. II was In
course of this that he visittd Vermont, a
laid the corner stone of the south building
the University.
In 1880, when the downfall of Charles
oil France took place, Lafayette again cal
to the trent, and idolized by the people, a
again entrusted with dictatoria. power
commander of the National Guards, he us
it TO place Louis Philippe on the throl
hoping to ondow his country, as the near
approach to u republic of which IL was th
capable, with "a monarchy surrounded
republican institutions" Ills last days W,
embilteryd by the failure of this hope.
died in 1884, and received what las be
called by one of his biographers, "lhe gre
est public and popular funeral Of whl
French annals possess any record
The career thus briefly sketched, was, {
readers sec, that Of truly great mi
"Who," asksNlr Everett, ''of all the proI
nent names In history has run through 81
acaieer, wths1 little reprolch justly or ,
I.,stlu LaNtnw.l2 I.afnNsIIn yRaa enl rus