The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-10-12
TO LA FAYETTE
1T is HOPED TO RAISE A HAND
SOME MONUMENT,


The dwelling of Which Will Occur On
United States Day at the Worlds Fair at
Paris, in 1900 Plans Laid for the Funds
to be Raised by the United Efforts of the
School Children of Our Country.
In the city Of Paris there is convent
and garden known through the immortal
HugO's Lies Miserables." 1t is the con-
vent Of the Petit Picpus. In the grounds
Of this convent is small cemetery
where nearly 1,500 victims Of the guillo-
tine were buried indiscriminately. Here
also repOse the bones Of La Fayette be-
side those Of his wife, who wished to be
buried there. The resting g-place Of La
Fayette, generally unknown and for
gotten, is marked only by plain granite
slab. Upon register kept by the con-
cierge Of the convent there are inscribed |
the names Of but small number Of
casual visitors.
In view Of these facts the la Fayette
Memorial Commission" has been formed
for the purpose Of erecting monument
to the memory Of La Fayette as twen-
tieth century tribute from the people of
this nation, to be unveiled with fitting
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 con-
tributiOns secured through the agency Of
the school children of our land.
The dedication of this monument,
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 the republic in the
dedication Of this beautiful memorial,
tribute which shall forever mark the
grave Of La Fayette, whose memory is
cOnsecrated In the hearts of men.
1t requires no argument to convince
the liberty-loying people Of America of
the far-reaching value Of thismost fitting,
OppOrtune and significant movement. 1t
will promote patriotism and implant in
the minds Of our young generation, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, broader
knowlsdgelOf their country's history II
| Is asked that October 10, 1893, be OBJ
served as 'La Fayette Day. in every
school district throughout our land,
when our children will be told the strug-
gle for liberty, and they may then con-
tribute their help and pennies to their
nations defender.
The following is brief recital Of the
recognition shown La Fayette by our
nation in the past:
by Congress, upon the occasion Of his
departure from America in 1884, it ex-
tended to him national farewell.
"By the States Of Virginia and Mary.
land, in the same year, passing acts
making him and his heirs forever citi
zens of their respective commemorative
"By Washington, when constrained as
chief of a nation to be silent and passive
toward friendly power, he broke al
) precedents, and personally addressed tht
Emperor of Germany in behalf Of tht
J release Of La Fayette from the dungeons
Of 0lmutz.
3 "By Congress, when it voted him {
sword and passed resolution commend
ing him in the highest possible terms Il
the King Of France.
by the reception given La Fayett
: upon the occasion of his visit to AmericI
in 1924, on which occasion Congress CAV
him an official reception in the hall o
the House of Representatives; and when
as the historian states, the people con
tended with the horses for the honor 0
drawing his carriage, and when, finally
Congress presented him with an apprC
priatiOn of 100000, a township Of land
'' built and named in his honor man-of
: war, the Brandywine, and rendered tn
same to him for his conveyance home,
"And also by the action Of France
which, having through the influence {
} La Fayette, loaned us 100000 livrei
\ said in regard to its payment, OF th
$1,000, 900 we have loaned you we forgiy
you 100000 as a gift of friendship, an
when with the years there comes pro-
perity you can pay the rest withor
interest,"
Plans Suggested for Oo-OperatiOn
Schools in Raising of Funds.
The Commission has decided upO
October 10th, the anniversary Of Il
surrender Of CORVALLIS at Yorktown,
the day which the schools Of the Unite
States are asked to recognize as II
Fayette Day." Official public announc
ment Of the day will be made later on
On this date, it is hoped, by concerts
effort ample funds will be secured
huiId tha mnnnmant IN a eoala comma,