The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-30


a MOMENT OF HONOR.
when Lafayette wss Pat to the Test
and Proved True.
Hezekiah Buttsrwerth, In Success.
1t - character that is success. not the
gaining OF power. wealth or social popu-
larfty. Wealth yanishes. fame perishes.
but that which il true lives eternal.
This truth II brought into clear light In
several episodes Of the life OF Lafayette.
Liacoin declared that his faith was that
right Il might" Lafayette held to the
same view, and 1t was his pride to have
his name associated with the regiment Of
French mountain heroes Of Auyergne sans
tache-(Auvergne with ssa.nl.
That was a thrilling episode in the young
generals life. He was only 70 years OF
age when the cabal, or board OF war. TN
der the influence of General Gates. offered
him the command Of The army of the
north to be sent for the conquest of Can
ada. II was hoped. by those wishing TO
elevate Gates to the supreme command OF
the army. to make the young general dis
loyal TO Washington.
The young French general had sacrificed
money and fame for the American cause.
How would he meet fattery? He was TO
be invited to a banquet and his principles
tried
He had been to banquets before where
his loyalty to liberty had been tested.
Young as he was. on such occasions he
had put character above the alluremeuts
Of wealth and fame.
One night, when he was mere boy off.
Ger he had been summoned to a banquet
at Metz The English duke was TO be
there, the brother OF the king. aud was 70
bring great tidings that had come from
america. The news that filed the ban
quet hall OF the fortress that night was
washington is Ia fun retreat across the
Jerseys. and the cause OF the Americans
Is lost" The announcement filled the hall
with mirth
"Washingfon"-the name was new to
him-he Only knew that that name stood
Tor the cause Of American liberty. He
could not have dreamed that that name
would one day be coupled with his own.
His heart was In that cause. The mirth
was mockery to him at this hour. He
went out with high resolution IN his
soul. and there. under the moon and stars,
he resolved to consecrate his sword and
all that he had 10 the cause Of American
liberty. A kind Of vision seemed 10 come
TO him.
when first saw the face OF America,
loved her. he afterward wrote TO the
American congress. 1t came to him that
night at Metz.
IT to take him to America. He had fame
at the French court: he would lose his
brilliant reputation there IL he should 60
to America. but he would go. He had q
young and beautiful wife. whom he loved
and whom 1t would be hard to leave be-
hind. But wealthy popularity and love
should ali be laid on the altar Of American
liberty. voice In his soul commanded
him to go.
One summer ox.prfpr in 18th
Baron de Kaib. the veteran soldier. the
water drinker III the midst Of Incorporate
associates, he was landed on the shores
OF the Carolfnas. Baron de Kaib and he
knelt down on the sands that night and
In the silent presence OF God consecrated
their swords TO the cause Of American
liberty. Hundreds of miles lay between
them and the camp of Washington: and
over these they woaid begin on the NOR
row their ride for the cause Of liberty for
America and the world.
Washington served his country without
pay, and laid down the sword when the
cause had been won. Lafayette not only
served the cause without compensation,
bat brought to II contributions from his
own fortune.
What was this banquet at York, to
which he was 10 be invited. and where his
character was to be put to the final test?
II was product of that dark and awful
period OF the revolution C7T-T3s), the
days OF Valley Forge. when the tattered
army made the SHOWS red with the track
of blood.
Washington had become unpopular.
Gates. the hero OF Saratoga, was the rts-
Ing star. Congress had created a board OF
war, which aimed TO overrule the supreme
command of Washington and TO give
Gates. as Its president, the place Of inffu-
ence. Gates was ambitious for himself:
ne was dissatisfied with the conduct of
the war and was making the people dissat-
sssied. Washington was secretly crit!-
cised IN Congress- and his wisdom was
questioned by those who looked for i'm
mediate results. His army WAS in rags.
amid hunger and SHOWS. and tn the shad-
CIV OF defeat But the heart of Washing
ton--that was true. Hear his words in
those dark days:
my enemies take an ungenerous ad.
vantage OF me. They know that l cannot
canihat their instnuations. however I'm.
furious, without disclosing secrets which /,
is OF the utmos; moment 10 conceal. But
why should / expect TO be exempt from,
censare. the unfsiling lot of elevated sta
tlonr My heart tells me that IL has ever
been my unrengtted aim 10 do the best
that circumstances would permit" On
isss.)
Again. prize as / ought the coed ousn-
lon OF my fellow citizens: yet. II know
myself. would not seek popularity at the
expense OF any social duty or merai viz
tue" 077S)
These words merit a lettering 81 gold.
Washington had come 70 Ioee I.zfayette
Tire young Frenchman was Ike 4 son IN
MIN. Tie latter was now about Il years
% age. Would this susceptible son of
France be rue 70 him AZ this dark hear.
o. would he favor the board Of war;
The plan Of the board IF war was 70
assemble ~ York. summon Lafayette "a
tie banquet. aad there offer him the Gem
ua8d OF the army Of the north ia a sfYa-
matte Wy, that would signify that grea.
aonors S5uld ne assigned 10 him f. return
for his loyalty 70 them rather than 70
Washington.
wasssingtcn. though ccTnmander-tn -chfef
e the American army. had rot beer cen
ssise6. except indirectly. In regard &C the
plan OF this great northern campaign.
The invitation was sent 10 I.aIavefte
IRE beard oil war assembled. with Gates
as president. ana as ire head of the Illus
lrlaas company. Lights filed the hall and
he "a oaes spanked with wgae. TIE Amer
can flag WAS there. and the lllaes 81
France. TIE darn purpose Of the banquet
saS iCnown 20 all
.fe-z-n .-~s~x. 49, So.