Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-10-13
LAFAYETTE MONUMENT.
Movement on Foot to Properly Commemo-
ratio His Work for America.


In few days, says the Pueblo
Chieftain, will be the anniversary Of
that October 10, 1881, when Lord
CORVALLIS 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
ton 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 m admis-
sion fee Will be charged, or to take up
IL collection Of the pennies of the pu-
pills for the purpose Of accommodating
fund of about Il quarter of n million
dollars with which to erect n monu-
ment in Paris to the memory Of the
young French lover of liberty, 1.afay-
ette. to whom this people still owes II
debt of deepest gratitude. Much rs
Lafayette did for us and for his own
people he lies In n neglected grave In
the little obscure cemetery of the con-
vent of Petit Picpus in Paris. 1t Is
proposed to make the monument n
tribute from the youth of America to
the young noblemnn. noble by birth
and noble In life and character, to be
unveiled July 4. 1900. on the occasion
Of United States day Mt 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
Representatives, by the President of
the United States and members of his
Cabinet and by school conventions
wherever held.
That the project Is no mere syco-
phantic commercial scheme to bring
about the old cordiality with France
that was In some degree marred by
the war with Spain is attcsted 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 II upon themselves TO sec
that his grave does not much longer
remain unmarked and forgotten.
When Lafayette left America In
1854 Congress extended him a nation
nj farewell. and later voted him u
sword and passed resolutions COM
mcndlng him In the highest possible
terms to the King OF France. He
WIS knOWH every HohoI "heh hc sis-
tied America In 1894.
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 M
tIon past and present. Pueblo must
not fail to have part and to do 1t
well. 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. It will be source OF pride
to every boy and girl In the state to
feel that he or she has given n mite
toward the cause. Many there will be
who will not be so fortunate MS to see
the great exposition. but there will
come to every Coloradoan who crosses
the Atlantic and stands with revcr-
cncc mt the grave or before the monu-
mcnt n rejoicing that he or his COM
munity or his state Is represented in
the tribute.