The sun., 1898-10-20
LAFAYETTE DAY Celebrated.
Friends School Observes the
Anniversary Of Surrender of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown.
FITTING PROGRAM RENDERED
Address of William Michael Byrne
on "The Cause and the Man.-La-
fayette and the American
ReyOIutiOn"-.NO Obser-
vance BY Schools.

hg- vance ny SCnOOis.
Lafayette Day, the anniversary of the
surrender of Corn wallis, was generally
observed throughout the State Of Della
ware yesterday, pursuant to the pro-
cIamation of Governor Ebe w. Tunnel.
There was no observance of the day in
the public schools of Wilmington, but at
the Friends School, Fourth and West
streets, an elaborate program was rem
dered, as follows:
Reading Of McKinley's letter, Edward
Poole; singing, America" three little
sisters, kindergarten; Tributes to Lafay-
ette," recitations, Edmond Robinson.
Mabel Vernon; essay, '"The Day and Its
Hero" Elizabeth LIE Fevere; Tributes
to Lafayette" recitations, Harold Cook
man, Lovena Emmons, Herbert
Thatcher.
At the conclusion of these interesting
exercises, William Michael Byrne, Esq,
delivered an address on 'The Catse and
the Man-Lafayette and the American
Revolution.
During his remarks Mr.. Byrne said:
ri look upon the education of the young
as work of such dignity and honor that
l consider it privilege to join in this
celebration to-day in this institution OF
learning where, am proud to say, solid
instruction is impaired to the pupils
without neglecting the value OF exem-
plary conduct. As long as our schools,
public and private, recognize the me-
cessity Of teaching at the same time the
minds and the hearts of the pupils, SO
long will the cause of true education
flourish, and so long may the Republic
look with confidence to the cultivation
by its future citizens of the best prlncl-
pies of civic virtue.
"The sword of CORVALLIS closed the
chapter opened by the rifle shot at Lex
ineton; at Yorktown, the young Repub-
lie of the West leapt from its cradle a
lusty infant; at Santiago that same Re-
public stands giant among the nations
OF the world. England in the last and
Spain in this century have felt the force
OF freedoms steel. By the first struggle
we secured liberty for a people and ma
ton; by the last, we announced the glor-
ious doctrine that liberty ought to be the
birth-right of the world.
"Whatever destinies may be in store
for our country, whatever steps OF
progress she may take, it is well at times
like this to look into the treasure house
of the past and strengthen ourselves for
the future struggles by close study OF
experience. 1t is with special interest
that Delaware Americans can celebrate
the surrender of CORVALLIS at Yorktown,
for it was against him that the brave
troops of the Delaware line, fighting
under the gallant Kirkwood, added i'm
mortal lustre to our arms. 1t is sad re-
Election to remember that at Camden, by
the egregious blunderiug of Gates, our
brave Deawares were nearly decimated
by the veterans of CORVALLIS. And yet,
in the light of history, their sacrifice
NAV be considered true holocaust to
liberty. The defeat at Camden resulted
. IN the retirement of Gates and the sub.
, stitution of our valorous and skillful
Gen. Green. who, throughout his cam.
paigns of victories, and retreats, continued
to harass and battle CORVALLIS until that
! wily general Withdrew his forces, with a
view Of subjugating the Virginians.
"But here in Virginia Cornwallis
again met willy and strategic foe. Not
, with the years and experience Of Green.
nor with the long training OF Washing
ton, vet the man who opposed him pos
sessed dash, vigor and ability. The Mar.
, quis de La Fayette, not yet rs years OF
7 age, was at the head Of the American
forces in Virginia. Who was this man,
who, at so early an age, was lntrusted
J with commands 80 important?
| "a scion of the first families OF France,
, and an aristocrat of aristocrats, he heard
the shot at Lexington and determined to
, relinauish his career at home, to aban-
!. don the leisure of wealth, to sacrifice the
, sweet ties of family and country, and
I stake his life and fortune in tine cause o.
liberty. Arriving in America, he first
saw service in the American armies al
! Rrandywiue, where he displayed per-
sonal bravery of the highest order. Sub
seouent to this he led an impulsive en-
: paaement at Gloucester, inficting con-
siderable loss on CORVALLIS, for which
! he received great praise from Washing
ton. But not alone was La Fayette con
: spicuous for bravery. At York, at
banquet rendered him by Gates, the
Young Frenchman proposed the health
{ OF the commander-in-chief of the Amerl'
: can forces, Gen. Washington. This in
| cident lost him the favor of the Conway
3 cabal, but increased the love and affec
tion in which he was held by Gen
A Washington.
: Repeatedly instrusted with commits
! sions Of the utmost Importance, his last
: and most important command was OF the
army in Virginia. By skilful tactics ht
harassed and exhausted CORVALLIS with
Y out risking the loss OF his own army in
! pitched battle, until Corn wallis, despair
y ing Of capturing the boy, as he cal!ee
him, retired to Yorktown, where he fell
secure by his own strength and assisted
I. by naval forces. Here in September Ia
! Fayette was urged by his associates tt
i strike crushing blow at Corn wal lis, but
/. with rare magnanimity and singular un
! go fishn, g., he declined to reap the honor
easily within his grasp, and boldly an
: nounced to his subordinates that III
Q would leave the honor Of capturing
r Corn wallis to his beloved superior, Gen
: Washing on.
: ITO Mis man and his country, tn!
Americans owe lasting debt OF graft
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