The Irish standard., 1898-10-22
THE PATRIOTIC PEOPLE OF AMERICA
4 MttNIElCFNT MONUMENT WILL BE
UNVEILED ~ PARIS.
LAFAYETTE DAY. IN ALL THE SCHOOLS
THE CATHOLICS ARE PARTICIPATE
ING IN THE MOVEMENT.

tine were buried indiscriminately. Here
also repose the bones Of Lafayette beside
those of his wife, who wished to be
buried there. The resting place of La
fayette generally unknown and forgot
ten. is marked only by Il plain granite
slab. Upon Il 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 "Lafayette
| Memorial Commission" was formed for
the purpose of erecting a monument to
| the memory of Lafayette as a Twentieth
century tribute from the people Of this
nation, to be unveiled with fitting cere-
mony July I. 1900, and thus grandly cee-
brate United States day at the Paris En-
position. 1t is proposed that the cost
of the undertaking, which is estimated to
| approximate Il quarter of a million dol
| lars. shall be betrayed by small contri-
buttons through the agency of the school
children of our land.
| The dedication Of this monument, Sc
cured and built through the efforts Of the
young people of America, will make con-
spicuously resplcndent our United States
day at the Paris Exposition of 1900. No
other country will find such a basis for
! the celebration of it's national day in
| Paris, but all the nations of the earth
will unite with this republic in the dedi-
l o;,l It'll
ute which shall forever mark the grave
of Lafayette, whose memory is conse-
! Grated in the hearts of men.
| 1t required no argument to convince
the liberty-loving people of America Of
the far-reaching value of this most fit
ting, opportune and significant move
ment. 1t will promote patriotism and
implant in the minds of our young gen.
Il broader knowledge of their country's
history. 1t was asked that Oct. 10, 1898,
be observed as Lafayette day in every
school district throughout our land, when
our children would be told the story of
our struggle for liberty, and may then
contribute their help and pennies in
memory of their nations defenders.
The following is brief recital Of the
recognition shown Lafayette by our ma
ton In the past:
by congress. upon the occasion of his
departure from America in 1884, it ex-
tended him national farewell.
by the states of Virginia and Mary
land, in the same year, passing acts max
ing him and his heirs forever citizens of
their respective commonwealth.
by Washington, when, constrained as
chief of il nation to be silent and passive
toward a friendly power he broke all
presidents and personally addressed the
emperor of Germany in behalf of the re-
lease of Lafayette from the dungeons OF
OlmutZ
by congress, when it voted him a
sword, and passed resolutions commcnd-
ing him in the highcs, possible terms tt
the king of France.
"By the reception given Lafayette upor
the occasion of his visit to America ir
1924 on which occasion congress gave
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 o
drawing his carriage, and when FINAL!
congress presented him with an appro
priatlon of 100000, a township of land
built and named in his honor a 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 0
Lafayette, loaned us 27,000,000 livres
said, in regard to its payment: or thu
q ,O00, 900 we have loaned you we forgive
you 100000 as a gift of friendship, AM
when with the years there comes pros
perity, you can pay the rest without in
terest.'
The commission decided upon Oct. l9
7 the anniversary of the surrender of Corn
wallis at Yorktown, as the day which tn
schools of the United States were aske
to recognize as Lafayette day. On thi
date, by concerted effort, ample fund
were secured to build the monument on
scale commensurate with the occasion.
In the universities and colleges of tn
land the heads of the institutions wer
asked to appoint committees from thei
students to arrange and carry out publ
exercises suited to the idea embracing
perhaps, historic drama, patriotic ora
tions etc., charging an admission fee O
collecting voluntary contributions as 10
cal conditions may suggest, and turnin
the proceeds over to the president of til
college who shall forward 1t to the treas
urer of the memorial commission, Hor
Charles G. Dawes, Washington, D. c.:
- In the higher grades Of the public an
parochial schools the same general pla
so far as possible prevailed as in the uni
t versities and colleges.
In the primary grades and distric
q schools the children were asked to so
n licit from their parents or acquaintance
( small contributions of from 1 cent to l