New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-02
LAFAYETTE,
A HISTORY OF HIS CAREER IN AMERICA

AMERICAN EEvoIUT1oN: Witt, Some Ac.
War of independence. BY Charlemagnc Tower
Vol II. PIP 557 }. Il. Lippincott Company
Lafayette's career in America lends itself ad-
mirably 10 broad historic treatment. 1t began
in encouragement ard ended in the highest sue
cess which the commander of a small. ill-equipped
army could attain. His success was complete
that il cast a shade on his whole subsequent life.
1t may even be blamed for his failure amid the
disorders that followed the French Revolution.
For Lafayette's genius initiative and his
ideal was Washington. He won in America not
by following the bent of his own lively DISPOSE
ton. but by copying exactly the cautious methods
of his great model But the like conduct in
France had the appearance Of indecision. and it
contributed TO the rise of military character as
unlike Lafayettes IDEAL as anything that could be
imagined and to the formation of political sys-
tenn the very opposite of that which he deemed
best for mankind His career in France has al
ways been disappointment even to his most
friendly critics while his conduct in America has
met at the hands of unfrendly censors. only with
disapproval on an occasional minute detail. He
said himself in after life that in more than one
instance the elements favored him. His move
,nents from the outset were timed that quite
unconscOusly he became, from the moment When
he took his first step toward the United States the
most prominent figure to be seen against the
background Of diplomatic plotting and counter
plotting in which France and England were seek
ing TO outwit each other. 1t is the startling
prominence which he attained in moment OF
youthful enthusiasm that enables Mr. Tower to
construct a narrative that covers the whole field
Of the relations and antagonisms OF France Eng
land and America during the reign of Louis N\l'
LAFAYETTE became in due time truly central fig
e, ,ccio, .ytio iraf1
IN the game az the Count OF Vergennes devised
It, But at the outset he more of a marplot
than anything else The French Court was slow
" coming around to the belief that its best policy
was to aid American colonies in the effort to sever
their connection with Great Britain. The Ques-
ton was how 10 do this most effectively and yet
to give it some other aspect than that OF mere In
reference in the domestic quarrels OF another
nation. how TO furnish the aid. directly or indi-
rectly, in supplies and troops to be used in Amer
lea or in the diversion of English activity that
would be caused by in Europe. Naturally
the plans Of Vcrgenncs contemplated the Ameri-
can merely as an opportunity where England was
weak to gain advantages for France, and II was
In this light also that he put the case 10 the Bour-
bons of Spain in trying to bring them TO the aid
of their cousins of France. He was successful in
his diplomacy, if not in the war that followed IT,
But IL was Indispensable l!ldl MS NEGOTIATIONS
should be carried on as secretly as possible, and
that England should be kept uncertain as 10
French purposes England was apparently not
deceived but she was obliged 10 confne herself
to remonstrances. as long France maintained
an air OF Indifference and gave plausible ac-
count Of her intentions.
1t was at this junc;urc. with England sus-
picous and France ready for mischief, that La
fayette. boy Of nineteen startled both countries
by setting out for America 1t is needless TO
dwell upon his rank. his wealth and his social
relations The details which Mr.. Tower gives
serve to emphasize the general fact Of Lafay-
cites high position. which is the one thing need
full to know in order TO understand how great
marplot the young man seemed TO the rulers OF
France and how jealousy his movements were
watched by the politicians of England 1t was
well understood in both countries that the acts
Of this young nobleman could be looked upon rs
inspired by his Government. England could make
them pretext for war preparations and France
could no longer pretend indifference. An open
rupture was possible. France evaded the diff
Guilty by making efforts TO restrain Lafayette
Her policy receiveda color Of genuineness from the
anxiety OF Lafayettes relatives TO keep him at
home But after all the details which Mr. Tower
gives of the measures taken to prevent Lafay-
cites departure. they still wear a look of make
believe. Surely Louis XVI would never have al
lowed a lively young nobleman to go to the
length OF purchasing a snip and gathering
group of adventurous spirits ike himself for an
expedition across the seas. unless he favored the
project Such thing could not have happened
in the England Of George Ill; nor is there any
reason to think that it could happen in the
France of Louis XVI. IL the King and his Minis
ters had really been determined that it should
not happen But, at least, they gave Lafayett"
trouble enough TO make his adventure look really
serious to him and test the depth Of his enthu-
slasm. If his plan had been merely freak OF
youth, he would never have got any further than
Bordeaux and would in later years have joined
in the laugh at his escapade. He was saved from
ridcule by being in earnest and we shall see IN
a moment that he saved again from the
raockery Of Europe by the underestimate which
his enemies placed on his ability. Having done
all that was required to put a good face on the
matter the French Court easily persuaded Eng
lishmen and everybody else that Lafayette was
foolish young man whose conduct could hardly be
spoken OF with gravity, not to mention the abb
surdity Of making it cubject of diplomacy. In
fact. il could hardly have been anticipated even
By his friends that he would accomplish any
thing in America. The natural suppOstiOn was
that he would be hOnorcd for his good Intentions
displayed at extraordinary cost and personal IN
convenience Few besides himself could have
imagined the part that he was TO play in the
American War. II they could have known the
conditions under which that war had to be car
ried on. their number would have been still fewer
and their anticpatons would have been con-
fined to a prediction that he would no sooner
reach the New World than he would begin to
sigh for the Old. Fortunately, his eagerness TO
fight for liberty was not 50 shallow an emotion
as that Of many who criticised him.
But his difficulties had only begun when he
landed in the United States He found the jour
nev from Charleston, s. c., to the seat Of war
interesting, but certainly far from easy. HIS IN
experience in business had enabled the persons
who sold him his ship to outwit him. and 1t was