The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1891-10-24
lCommunicated'l
FRANCE and AMERICA.

A friendly relationship has ever exist
ed between France and America; 1t hn
existed since the first peopling of Amer
lea, as the French were among the firs
to colognize this country, they cam
over in 1924, explored all the Atlanti
coast, and formed settlements in Eort
Carolina, Delaware and New Jersey
they opened traffic and were very friend
ly with thu Indians. Therefore, tn
French had first claim TO America. b,
right Of colonization, one Of the creates
points in this relationship, is the colo
nizing Of America by the French. In,
French were driven from America by
the British, whom they have ever sine.
disliked, may say hated: When th,
American revolution bpgan the Amcri.
cans asked aid Of France, who ut first
refused it, not thinking they were pur-
suing the right course. But 1t last
Feb. 9th IT'S, the Fenrh recognized the
independence OF the Americans. And
sent over aid. This was brought about
by the unremitting labors of Franklin,
who was u general favorite at the French
court.
Through all the dealings Of France
with America, there is one thing Of
which she should feel proud, and that is
the thought, that she helped to fight for
the liberty Of thi. grand and beautiful
country, for this beautiful country of
ours Is one Of the grandrst Of nature.
10 the French may be given some
gre at hOnOrs of the revolution, especial
ly to La Fayrtte, and Count DeRach-
ambeau, is this so. for to them may be
given the hOnors of the surrender Of
Corvallis, at Yorktown. La Fayette
was pure patriot, and like all French,
he loved liberty, and hated the British
foi several years after the revolution.
The French were very unfriendly to-
wards the Americans, but at last they
became peaceful and have ever since,
been the firm friends Of our country.
When We celebrated our one hundred
years of American independence, the
French had no mean place in all the cX-
hibits. and various proceedings nf that
great occasion. On the morning Of July
lth 1876, there might have been seen an
arch. spanning Chestnut street vying
n beauty and durability the Trium-
phal arches of the Caesafs. On this
lrch were the beautiful and expressive
words "WelcOme to ROchambeau.'
Over one hundred years from the sur
render at Yorktown, to the great pro-
'ession at Philadelphia. There was Il
growing bond between the French and
A .ierirahs. On tins occasion the bond
was specially emphasized and the works
,: La fayette' regloritied. Not long
since the great statue Of liberty. \ gift
rom the French people, was placed in
commanding position near New York.
This great Emblem Of fraternal feeling
bears on its towering summit. a beauti-
ul figure III whose hands, is the torch
# liberty.
The special feature Of the strong bond
which binds the two great nations, both
nations fully recognize the freedom of
nan, and are willing to record to them,
Ill the liberties thus represented. Ii is
his innate love of Liberty that compels
he two great nations to swear at one
common altar.
They love liberty and are willing that
Ill nations Of the globe, should share its
The greatest good to the greatest
number Is the motto of both.
On this broad humanitarian platform
both stand and grow stronger together
in their love for their liberty of all, and
.hus standing like the great statue.
France has built in America.
They will beckoh MI nations to them
selves, these two nations, are the exemp-
lars for the world in the great cause Of
liberty, thus far in the worlds progress
they are the summary Of mans best
ideas of the freedom of all. And as
such their lesson will be needed. for as
and Empires change rulers,
their tendency will be in the line of De-
mocratic Republics. A. E. j.