The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-11
La Fayette In America.

Attitude OF France Toward the War OF In
dependsnce. BY charlemagne Tower, Ir.
Two volumes. }. Il. Lippincott Co.. Phils-
delphia; IL. Gregory. Providence.
This is a work OF more than ordinary
interest and Importance, both as to con-
ception and execution. We In America
do not realize what we owe TO France.
Our deepest regard Is being fixed upon
other European nations than France.
Despite our firm conviction that England
regards US in exactly the same
light she did before the Revolu-
tion--simply as commercial orange,
10 be squeezed as dry as possible
we yet turn more readily and more often
TO England for inspiration to guide our
business and social ways; and our govern
ment Is more influenced by what Is con-
ceived to be England's pleasure than by
the vigorously expressed desires OF other
countries. We unconsciously look
upon France as a sort OF opera bouffe
nation not to be taken too seriously.
There may be some justification for this
view, bat there is certainly not enough
justification to warrant the persis-
tence OF the sentiment. But what
ever France Is now-and she Is mani
testify tremendously advanced from
her position in the last quarter OF
the 18th century--she was OF the greatest
Importance TO us when we were trying TO
break the chain that bound Us to Great
Britain. Had Ii not been for her aid 1t Is
almost certainty that we could not then
have won independence. AS MI. Tower very
Justly remarks in his preface: "Compara-
lively few people OF the present gen.
Grafton are aware OF the inestimable bene-
fits which the French nation conferred
upon our forefathers during the Ameri-
can Revolution, at time when America
was without credit abroad and when our
cause aroused no other national sympathy
in the world than that Of oar faithful
ally"
That France was actuated In part by
her desire 10 repay TO England some OF
the injuries she had received, does not
lessen the material value Of what she did
for US, and must not be advanced as
plea for default OF gratitude.
But careful consideration OF all that
France did, and a searching review OF the
causes that led her 10 take the coarse
that resulted so happily for us, reveals the
fact that but for the spontaneous devotion
to our cause, from its inception to the
close OF the war, by La Fayette, wo should
without doubt have failed to receive the
sustained and prompt support from
France that really enabled US to win at
last.
Thus 1t appears that La Fayette was .
van ofvery great consequences to America,
Perhaps, looking at the matter from the
standpoint Of the strictest utilitsriauism,
he ought to be reckoned as Dsxt in i'm
portance to Washington. The reading OF
this splendid work of Mr.. Towers per-
suades us that the great genius and pure
patriotism OF Washington would have
bQQn hla hava fraQdnm for
America but for the aid France furnished,
and that the aid OF France would have
been quite abortive had IL not
been employed by Washington. 1t APP
pears, also, that Washington and the
French iSsAmerica could not have worked
In harmony but for the unweared exer-
tons, the sustained enthusiasm and the
complete self sacrifice OF the Marquis de
La Fayette--"tres haut ct tres puissant
seigneur, Monseigneur Marie Joseph
Paul Yves Roch- Gilbert, Dumotier de
Lafayette"
La Fayette Is given scant mention In the
various histories ofthe United States; SO
little and SO indifferent that the facts OF
his birth and childhood, his family con-
nectiop, his motives and his acts in con-
nection with the Revolution are distorted,
mistaken, or so slightingly mentioned as
" NiSato Ntis NtohS anu WY huSh bC-
Titled conception OF him.
There existed, then, q clear field for Mr..
Towers book; and not only a clear field
bur a distinct and patriotic demand for
it. Its conception was one of the happiest
OF recent historical inspirations, and its
execution seems to be quite worthy OF the
idea and the need. The two stately vol
umes are packed with matter of the great
est interest and Importance. They give,
not only proper estimate OF
the character OF La Fayette aud
just relation of his services to America,
but q very graphic and quite compre-
hensive story Of the Revolutionary war
that portion of 1t at least that was action.
And, while La Fayet;e Is the only per-
fectly sketched personality, the view
given of Washington Is almost as
life-like and almost as carefully
and generously drawn, and the
intercourse OF I be two men Is set forth
with careful fidelity. Glimpses are also
afforded of other men, mostly French,
who are shown through correspondence
with La Fayette or in reference to Ameri-
can affairs. There are a number OF maps,
copies of sketches from the French,
showing battle fields.
There is a clear sketch of the origin and
history ottho La Fayette family, the heads
OF which for many generations had been
warriors. and most OF them found death
on the battlefield before they reached
middle-aeo. La Fayette was born after
his fathers deaf b who was killed in battle,
and was the sole male survivor. He was
dedicated to Mars, while yet a boy,
and was married at 16 When
reports OF the ebellion of the American
colonists reached France the young
marquis was thirsting for an opportunity
TO gain glory upon the field OF battle.
The martial blood CT generations OF
fighters was boiling, and demanding that
It's ancestry be justified. More intimate
knowledge Of the cause Of the colonists in
America appealed most powerfully TO the
ckivalrous nature Of the young French
man, and heuceforth they had achampion
as true and as willing as ever was de-