The Elbert County tribune., 1898-10-13
LAFAYErrE MONUMENT.
ns,'-:s. % e =: re-; ; 3 s.s,;:,. e

Hovcnsnt o. Foot 20 Properly conm<mo'
rate hia Werk fvr Anerics-
Ina few days, snys the Pueblo
| chlcftain. vlil.De the anniversary Of
lsthat October ~. 1871. when Lord
CORVALLIS surrendered his army TO
| the patriot troops under command Of
| Washington. II would be extremely
served in the public schools OF the ma
| tlon each year with patriotic cxcr-
cJscs. The beginning OF such n worthy
| custom may well date from this yenr
when the public and private school
and university authorities throughout
| the country have, llecn asked by the
Lafayette Memorial Association to
hold exercises for which an admis-
sion fee will he charged, or to take up
n collection OF the pennies of fhe pu-
pills for the purpose OF nccumulating
a fund OF about a quarter OF a million
dollars with which to crcct n monu-
ment In Paris TO the memory Of the
young French lover of liberty. L.afny-
efte. to whom this people still owes n
debt OF deepest gratitude. Much as
Lafayette did for us and for his own
people he lies In n neglected grave In
the little obscure cemetery OF the con
vcnr OF Petit Picpus in Paris. II Is
proposed TO make the monument u
tribute from the youth OF America to
the young nobleman. noble by birth
aud noble In life and character. 10 be
unveiled July 4. 1900. on the occnsion
OF United Stntcs day at the coming
exposiiion In Paris The project has
been endorsed by resolution Of the
United States Sennte. by the commit
tee on foreign affairs Of the House OF
Representatives. by the President OF
the United States nnd members OF his
Cabinet and l,y school conventions
wlQrRyer held.
Tint the project is 10 mere syco-
phaptic commercial scheme to bring
about the old cordinlity with France
TINT was In some degree mnrred by
the war with Spnin Is nftested by the
tribufes to Lafayette fron 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 Americn IN
1854 Congress- extended him n nation
al farewell, and later voted him n
sword nnd passed resolutions com
meiiding him In the highest possible
terms to the King of France. He
was shown every honor when he WIS.,
ited Anerica In 1924. ais II e 1e
Present generations can do nothing
for the living Lafayette. but they may
and should show that American graft
tiidc and devotion are not short lived.
The project cannot he too heartily
commended. Besides the immediate
purpose OF the day the observance will
subservc n patriotic purpose In draw.
ing attention TO the glory OF the ma
tion past and present. Pueblo must
not fail TO have a part and to do II
well. A few pennies per capita OF the
school Aenrollmcnt inl the city and
county will bring all the money that is
needed from this section whether
these are secured by direct contrlbu-
tion by the pupils or for admissions to
an entertainment in which they win
appear II will he source of pride
10 every boy and girl In the state 10
feel that he or she has given a mite
toward the cause Many there will be
who W III not be so fortunate as to see
the great exposition. but there will
come to every Coloradoan who crosses
the Atlantic and stands with rever-
encc at the grave or before the monu-
mcnt rejoicing that lie or his com
munity or his state is represented in
the tribute.