The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1898-02-25
MONUMENT BY CHILDREN.
Resolutions Introduced In Congress
Looking to Its Erection.


WASHINGTON, Feb. ia move
nent has been set afoot to have the
United States erect a monument to
Gen. Lafayette in the city OF Paris,
to be dedicated during Ahe Paris ex-
position. The protector of the move
ment is Robert Thompson, who has
been assured by the French govern
ment unofficially. through Nj. Picard,
that ground for the monument can be
secured through the municipality of
Paris in case it be deemed inadvisable
to erect it over the grave Of Lafayette,
which is now obscure and almost I'M
marked President Mckinley and AS
sistant Secretary Day. Mr.. Thompson
says, have shown much interest in the
matter, which has been brought Of
ficially to the attention of congress
through resolutions offered in
houses.
A resolution by Senator Thurston of
Nebraska makes provision for COM
mission to supervise the collection of
a fund among all the schools of the
United States for the purpose of erect
ing a monument to Gen. Lafayette in
the city of Paris-the same to be pre-
sented to the Government of France
and unveiled and dedicated on the
Fourth of July 1900. A preamble to
the resolution declares that it is pro-
posed to signaliZe the celebration Of
United States day at The Paris expo
sttiOn of 1900 by the erection and dedi-
cation that day of q monument from
the people of America to Gen. Lafay-
cite. 1t then recites the several oc-
casioDs on which the government of
the United States recognized the in
fluence of Gen. Lafayette upon the re-
suit OF the war for independence and
continuing, says:
Whereas, An occasion now presents
itself wherein the American people
ed us in the presentation of the La
fayette monument now in Lafayette
Square, in the city of Washington,
and the BarthoIdi Statue of Liberty in
the New York habcr. and again show
their friendship to France, their love
and veneratiCn for that cOmDatriOt of
Washington, Gen. Lafayette, an Oppor-
tunity which may not come for many
years, q fitting time and fitting
place. and.
Whereas. The remains of Gen. La
fayette now lie humblY inferred in the
pious cemetery in Paris. marked only
by an unpretentiOus granite slab. and,
Whereas. The SPOT should form a
most proud and holy pilgrimage for all
lovers of liberty, and.
Whereas, The proposed monument
should be spontaneous offering COM
ing direct and exclusively from the
children of America and that in their
bearing the expense of this work with
out financial aid from the government
the effect may be Of the highest bene-
tit to cur peoDle in directing the
thoughts of the American youth TO the
most patriotic and inspiring period
Of our history. to broaden their views
to international points, and to arouse
their interest in the great events Of
the dawring century; therefore. be il
resolved. That in furtheraDce OF this
Dill. an h0nCrably commission is
hereby formed. consisting of the Dresi
dent Of the United States as ex-0fficio
president of said commission. and the
governors of various states and Terri
torres, as eX-officio vice presidents Of
said commission. That the president
be and is hereby authorized 10 appoint
an acting commission of five members.
consisting of president, secretary
superintendent. treasurer and Two
others, who shall arrange plans and
personally direct the collection and ex-
pendlture Of all moneys, the selection
Of site and the plans Of said monu-
ment. the building of the monument
the dedication and unveiliDp Of the
same. and the preparation OF an his
tcrlcal report upon the work when
completed. the eXnense of such work
tn be borne out of the moneys raised
thcrefrom