La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-10-15
LAFAYETTE MONUMENT.
Movement on Fooi 10 Properly Com me mo-
rate HIS Work TOR America


In a few days. says the Pueblo
Chieftain. will bc The anniversary oi
that October 10. 1871. when Lord
CORVALLIS surrendered his army TO
the patriot troops under command OF
Washington. IL would be extremely
appropriate IL the occasion were OBJ
served In the public schools u the ma
ton each year with patriotic eScr'
cIses. The beginning OF such a worthy
custom may well date from this year
when the public and private school
and university authorities throughout
the country have been asked by the
Lafayette Memorial Association 10
hold exercises for which nm admis-
sion fee Will be charged, or to take up
Il collection OF the pennies OF the pu-
pills for the purpose OF accumulatlng
n fund of about a quarter Of million
dollars with which TO erect nonu-
mcnt In Paris to the memory OF ihe
young French lover OF liberty, Lafny-
cite. to whom this people stiii owes II
debt of deepest gratitude. Nuch hs
Lafayette did for us and for his own
people he lies In "A neglected grave III
the little obscure cemetery OF the con
vent OF Petit Picpus In Paris. 1t II
proposed 10 make the monument a
the young nobieman. noble by birth
and noble In life and character, TO be
unveiled July 4. 1900. on the occasion
Of United States day at the coming
exposition in Paris. The project has
been endorsed by resolution OF the
United States Senate. by the commit
tee on foreign affairs OF the House oi
Representatives by the President Of
the United States and members or his
Cabinet and by school conventions
wherever held.
That the project IN no mere syco-
phantic commercial scheme TO bring
about the old cor,llaliry with France
that was In some degree marred by
the war with Spain is nttested by the
tributes to Lafayette from America
during his lifetime, sufficient evidence
OF the then high appreciation OF his
services and argument conclusive why
the people Of this country to-day
should take ii upon themselves to see
that his grave does not much longer
remain unmarked and forgotten.
When Lafayette left America In
1884 Congress extended him II nation
al farewell, and later voted him
sword and passed resolutions com
mending him in the highest possible
terms to the King Of France. He
was shown every honor when he WIS.,
tied America in 1924.
Present generations can do nothing
for the living Lafayette. but they may
and should show that American graft
tndc and devotion are not short lived.
The project cannot be too heartily
commended. Besides the Immediate
purpose OF the day the observance will
subserye n patriotic purpose In draw
Ing attention To the glory Of the na-
ton past and present. Pueblo must
not fail to have part and to do II
well. a few pennies per capita OF the
school enrolment In the city and
county Will bring all the money that Is
needed from this section whether
these are secured by direct contribu.
tion by the pupils or for admissions to
an entertainment in which they will
appear. II Will be a source OF pride
TO every boy and girl in the state to
feel that he or she has given mite
toward the cause. Many there will be
who Will not he so fortunate as to see
the great exposition. but there Will
come to every Coloradonn who crosses
the Atlantic and stands with rever-
cncc at the grave or before the monn-
ment rejoicing that he or his com
munity or his state is represented in
the tribute