Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-10-13
IN HONOR OF A HERO.
School Children Will Raise Mon
ument to La Fayette,
October 10 Has Been Set Aside a.
Ella Fnyette Day" by the
Governors OF the DIFF
ferent states,
[specIai Correspondence,I

On the 10th day of this month the
students and school children all over
these United States will unite in do
ing honor to one of the greatest and
most beloved heroes of all history.
The governors of the different states
have issued proclamations setting
aside October 10 as "La Fayette day"
in all the schools and educational in
stitutions of the country, This is in
compliance with a request from the
special La Fayette memorial commits
sion organized by the commission-gen-
eral of the United States to the Paris
exposition and in response to the warm
and earnest personal recommendation
of President Mckinley. On this spe-
cial day exercises Of patriotic nature
will be held in all the institutions Of
learning throughout the land, recall
ing the days Of our early struggle for
liberty and the connection of generous
and boyish La Fayette Herewith, con-
tributlons to be made at the same time
by the students and children to the
fund which is to erect monument TO
the gallant hero's memorE.
The following letter has been issued
from the executive mansion by Presi-
dent Mckinley recommending the
movement to the educational officials
and youth and school children of the
country:
Your letter. written In behalf Of the La
Fayette memorial commission, has greatly
interested me- and have read with much
satisfaction the plans already outlined for
the proposed monument to the memory OF
a great soldier and patriot.
1.-THE undertaking is one In which [ am
sure 1t will be considered n privilege TO
participate and the idea that the students
In the schools, colleges and universities
shall take a prominent part In this tribute
will not only be OF vast educational value
as one OF the most important epochs In
history, but will keep prominent before
them the inspiration OF high Ideal OF de-
votlon to great principles and OF the pub
lie recognition paid to lofty purposes.
Gen. La Tayette was but young man
when he espoused the cause of liberty and
independence, overcoming well-nlgh In
surmountable obstacles to do 80, 1t Is al
together fitting, therefore, that the youth
Of america should have part In this tes-
tlmonal to his goodness and greatness,
81 am glad to note that your committee
has fixed date when our people, In every
part Of the country, may testify their In
terest In this proposed monument and their
determination that the movement already
begun shall achieve the greatest success,
Very sincerely yours,
WILLIAM M'KINLEY."
La Fayette, a boy OF 10, gave up all
his prospects of wealth and high posi-
ton in France to come to the aid of
this country when it was struggling
for liberty, and that in its very darkest
hour. 1t was when report came TO
Europe of great American losses and
reverses and English victories that La
Fayette started out, and, in spite OF
the direct mandate OF the French king
and the protests Of his wealthy rela-
tves and royal friends, and notwith-
standing arrest and delay and all con-
ceivable obstacles which were put in
his way, set sail with II picked com
panions for American shores, When
this black news came from the patriot
camp he said: "Then, the more do
they need me-" and after much diff
Guilty escaped in disguise over the
French border into Spain and there
set sail
lie had been promised by SilasDeane
the American representative in Paris
commission as major general in the
patriot army. When congress dissent
ed to this on account Of his age and in
experience, La Fayette, who was wait
ing without, sent in word that he be
permitted to enter the army as pri'
vate and without pay. From this mo-
ment to the end of the revolutionary
war this young Frenchman was one OF
the most ardent and able champions
of the patriot cause, lie Immediately
became Washington's dearest friend
and engaged with him in many of the
councils which led to the final colonial
victories. Monmouth, Brandywine
Baron Hill and Yorktown were scenes
of his exploits on the field. His ait
to America, however, in this trying
time was not confined TO valor alone
| He was instrumental in securing the
patriots success in a more material
way Through him II was that the
alliance with France was finally Sc
cured which brought the turning point
of the revolution. La Fayette, by hi
influence in Paris, did possibly more
than any other agency to induce the
French king 10 take up arms with III
against tyrannic England. 1t was
through La Fayette's agency also thai
the colonies secured that famous loar
Of 27,000,0O0 livres from the French
government, of which that nation sale
later in regard to its payment: "Of The
q 100000 we have loaned you we for
give you 100000 as a gift of friend
ship, and when with the years there
comes prosperity you can pay the rest
without interest"
Washington's friendship for III
Fayette continued throughout life
and formed one of the greatest exam
Piles of mutual attachment in the his
tory Of great men, and both he ant
his successors until the death Of Ii
Fayette let no opportunity pass tc
do the noble Frenchman honor. Upor
the occasion of his visit to this coun
try after American independence hat
J been gained he was met with mani
festations on the part Of the people
! nnnnrnlleled In the records Of appre