The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-03-15
ANANECDOTE OF LAFAYETTE.

wv man 90 pANN',lS -
aware of the heroic self-sacrifce, and
noble devotion, of Lafayette TO the
cause of American Independence.
The Marquis de Lafayette was one Of
the wealthiest and most popular of
the French nobility. At an early age
he had finished a course of collegiate
studies, and entered the army. At
the age of seventeen he married a
daughter of the Count d'Ayen, after
wards Duke de Noallies, younger than
himself. While stationed at Metz
with his regiment. of which he was
Captain of Dragons, he attended a
ball given by his commandment in hon
or of the Duke of Gloucester, brother
of the king of England, and there,
for the first time. he learned that the
American colonies had declared their
independence. and We're fighting for
their liberty. His soul of patriotism
was stirred, and before leaving the
table he had resolved that he would
give his sword to the cause of Liberty
IN America.
Without delay he repaired to Paris,
where he made the acquaintance of
Franklin, Deane, and Arther Lee, to
whom he communicated his design.
That was one Of the darkest periods Of
the Revolution. News had just
reached France Of the occupation of
New York by the British, of the loss
of Fort Washington, and Of the dis
astrous retreat of the Americans
through New Jersey. His immediate
friends, to whom he had ventured to
communicate his design. endeavored
by every means IN their power, to dis
suade him from his wild scheme; and
even the American commissioners
told him that they could not, with
clear consciences, advise him to go.
But he was bent upon his purpose,
and determined; and his young wife,
as Jealous as he, upheld him.
No need to follow Lafayette through
the intricate windings of his manage
ment to get clear of France. The
British agents in Paris had got wind
Of his purpose, and We're bound to
thwart it; but he at length succeeded
in evading the numerous spies SET
upon his movements, and in a vessel
fitted out entirely at his own expense
he set sail. Besides private men, he
was accompanied by eleven officers,
among whom was the German veteran,
Baron de Kalb. He landed safely at
Georgetown, S. c., in the latter part
of April, 1777, and was received at
Charlestown with the widest enthusi-
asm.
Without unnecessary delay he made
his way to Philadelphia, where Con
gress was then in session, and in a
letter to the president of that body he
asked permission to enter the Ameri-
can army as a volunteer, to serve
without pay. The proffer of his ser
vices was accepted in glowing reso-
luton by Congress, and the full rank
of majo-general in the army confer
red upon him. His commission was
dated July 81, 1777, and he was not
twenty years of age until the sixth of
the following September.
Who shall say what power and I'M
petus this bright example. of purely
unseltish devotion on the part of the
Marquis de Lafayette gave to the
cause of American Liberty? The
coming of that single man to our
shores, with the prestige of accom-
panyIng circumstances,was equal to a
reinforcement Of ten thousand men.
From Gen. Washington down to the
very lowest of the rank and file of the
bnn ,tC- CT, ~ i I
faith renewed.
OF Lafayette's subsequent career in
this country [ certainly need not
write for American readers.
Shortly after Lafayette's return to
France from his second visit to Amer
lea he was at Versailles when the
king, Louis XVI, was about to review
a division Of troops. Lafayette was
invited to JON in the review. He ac-
copied the invitation, and appeared
in his American uniform. He was
standing by the side Of the Duke de
Condo when the king, in a round of
conversation with his attendants.
came to him, and after speaking upon
other matters a while, asked him
about his uniform, and Bbout the
general military costume Of the United
States. At length the kings attention
was attracted to a small medal worn
upon the breast of the MARQUIS. as
orders are usually worn. and
he asked what it was.
Lafayette replied that it was SYM
Dol which foreign officers in the Amer
lean service had made it a custom to
wear.
What is the device?" asked Louis.
There is no common Device" an
5wered the Marquis Each officer
chooses such as may please his own
fancy"
And what pleased your fancy?"
asked the king.
My device" said Lafayette, point
ing to his medal, lis Liberty Pole
over broken crown and
5ceptre."
Louis smiled, and after a bit of
pleasantly about the republican pro
pensities of French marquis fresh |
rom America, he turned the CONVEX
'atlon upon another topic. But there
vas no smile upon Condos face. He
ooked grave and thoughtful, and al
most compassionately upon the simple
minded, ease-loving monarch.
All. who could then have told how |
,oon the head of Louis XVI. was to |
all, and the crown and sceptre of |
france to be broken beneath the iron
leel of Revolution,