The Meeker herald., 1898-10-15
LAFAYETTE MONUMENT.
Movement On Foo. to Properly Commemo
rate III. Work for America.

ratio His WORK Tor A"tTlChs
In n few days, says the Pueblo
ChIeftain. will be the anniversary OF
that October ID. 1871. when Lord
Cornwallis surrendered his army to
the patriot troops under command OF
Washington. 1t would be extremely
appropriate il the occasion were OBJ
served in The public schools of the ma
tion each year with patriotic eXer-
cises. The beginning of such 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 to
hold exercises for which an admis-
sion fee will be charged. or TO take up
collection Of the pennies of the pu-
pills for the purpose of accommodating
fund of about Il quarter of million
dollars with which to erect Il monu-
ment in Paris TO the memory OF the
young French lover of liberty, I.afay-
cite. TO whom this people still owes Il
debt of deepest gratitude. Much rs
Lafayette did for us and for his own
people he lies in II neglected grave in
the little obscure cemetery of the con
vent of Petit Picpus in Paris. II is
proposed TO make the monument n
tribute from the youth of America 10
the young ntbleman, noble by birth
and noble in life and character. TO be
unveiled July I. 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 of
nnp hr tho prnS i1ant m
the United States and members of his
Cabinet and by school conventions
wherever held.
That the project is no mere syco-
phantic commercial scheme 10 bring
about the old cordiality with France
that was in some degree marred by
the war with Spain is attested 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 1t upon themselves to see
that his grave does not much longer
remain unmarked ana forgotten.
When Lafayette left America in
1854 Congress extended him n nation
nj farewell, and later voted him II
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
ited America in 1874.
Present generations can do nothing
for the living Lafayette. but they may
and should show that American graft
tude and devotion are not short lived.
The project cannot be too heartily
commended. Besides the Immediate
purpose Of the day the observance will
subserve patriotic purpose in draw
ing attention to the glory of the ma
tion past and present. Pueblo must
not fail TO have II part and to do it
we'll 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. 1t will be Il 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 he
who will 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-
cnce at the grave or before the monu-
ment n rejoicing that he or his com
munity or his state is represented in
the tribute.