Graham guardian., 1898-10-07
The Forgotten Grave of La Fayetto,

In the city Of Paris there Is s
convent and garden known through
the immortal Hugo's Lies Misera
, bics". 1t is the convent of the
Petit Picpus. In the grounds Of
this convent. is a small cemetery
where nearly 1850 victims of the
guiIlotne were buried lndiscrimi
nately. Here also repose the
bones Of La Fayette beside those
Of his wife, who wished to be
buried there. The resting place OF
La Fayette, generally unknown
and forgotten, is marked only by a
plain granite slab. Upon a regis,
ter kept by the concierge of the
convent there are inscribed the
names of but a small number of
casual visitors.
In view of these facts the "La
Fayette Memorial Commission"
has been formed for the purpose of
erecting q monument to the mem.
ory OF La Fayette as a twentieth
century tribute from the people of
this nation, to be unveiled with
lifting ceremony July 4, 1900, and
thus grandly celebrate United
States Day at the Paris Exposition.
1t is proposed that the cost of the
Undertaking, which is estimated to
approximate quarter of a million
dollars, shall be betrayed by small
contributions secured through the
agency of the school children of
our land.
The dedication of this monu-
ment, secured and built through
the efforts of the young people of
America, will make conspicuously
resplendent our United States Day
at the Paris Exposition of 1900.
No other country will find such a
basis for the celebration Of its
national day in Paris; but all the
nations Of the earth will unite with
this republic in the dedication of
this beautiful memorial, a tribdte
which shall forever mark the grave
of La Fayette, whose memory is
conseCrated in the hearts Of men.
1t requires no argument to con-
vince the liberty-loving people of
America of the far.reachlng value
of this most fitting, opportune and
significant movement. 1t will pro-
mote patriotism andimplant in the
minds Of our young generation,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a
broader knowledge of their coun-
try's history. 1t is asked that
October 10, 1898 be observed as
"La Fayette Day" in every school
district throughout our land, when
our children will be told the story
Of our struggle for liberty, and they
may then contribute their help and
pennies in memory of their nations
defender.
The following is a brief recital
of the recognition shown La Fay
etto by our nation IN the past:
"By Congress, on the occasion
Of his departure from America in
1874, 1t extended to him a national
farewell.
"By the States of Virginia and
Maryland, in the same year, pass
ing acts making him and his heirs
forever citizens Of their respective
commonwealth -.
"By Washln 5ton, when, con-
strained as chief of Il nation to be
silent and passive toward a friend
ly power, he broke all prccedents,
and personally addressed the En-.
perOr Of Germany in behalf of the
release of La Fayette from the
dungeons Of Olmutz.
"By Congress, when it voted
him a sword and passed resolutions
commencing him in the highest
possible terms to the King of
France.
BY the reception given La
Fuyette upon the occasion Of bis
visit to America in 1924, on which
occasion Congress gave him au off.
cial reception IN the hall of the
House of Representatives; and
when, as the historian states, the
people contended with the horses
for the honor Of drawing his cal.
riage, and when, finally, Congress
presented him with an appropria-
ton Of 100000, a township of
land, built and named in his honor
a man-ofwar, the Brandywine, and
rendered the same to him for his
conveyance home.
"And also by the action of
France, which, having through the
influence of La Fayette, loaned us |
27,0OO,O00 hvres, said in regard to |
ITS payment, 'Of the 27,O00,OOO We
havo loaned you we forgive YOU
100000 as gift of friendship, |
and when with the years there
comes prosperity you can pay the |
rest without interest"
PLAN SUGGESTED FOR COOPERATION OF |
SCHOOL IN RAISING OF FUND.
The Commission has decided up.
on October 10Th, the anniversary |
of the surrender of CORVALLIS at
Yorktown, as the day which the
schools of the United States are