The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-10-14
TN HONOR OF A HERO.
School Children Will Raise q Mon
ument to La Fayette.
october I'D Has been Set As'"s -
ella Fayettc Day" ny the
Governors of the DIFF
ferena states.


inp honor TO one of the greatest ana
most beloved heroes of All history.
The GOVERNORS of the different states
have issued proclamatlohs se'''hs
aside October 10 as LA fayet'e Gay
In all the schools and educationai IN
sti,utions of the country. This Is IN
comnliance with request from the
special La Fayette memorial commis-
sion organized by the commission-gen-
eraI Of the United States TO the Paris
exnosition and in response TO the warm
and earnest personal recommendation
~ President Mckinley. On this spe-
cial day exercises of patriotic nature
will be held in all the institutions OF
Earning throughout the land, recall
ing the DAVIS OF our early struggle fer
liberty and the connection OF generous
and boyish La Fnyette Herewith, con-
;ributions 10 be made at the same time
by the students and children to the
fund which is to erect n monument 10
the gallant hero's memors-
The following letter has been issued
from the executive mansion by Presi-
dent Mckinley recommending the
movement TO the educational officials
md youth and school children of the
country:
.~Your letter written IN behalf OF the Is
Fav.t,e memorial commission. has greatly
interested me. and have read with much
satisfaction the plans already outlined for
tho proposed monument 10 the memory OF
great soldier and patriot
The undertaking Is one I'm which 1 am
sure Il Will be consid ered a privilege 70
participate. and the idea that the students
IN the schools. colleges and universities
shall take a prom inent 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 a high ideal OF de-
votion TO great principles and OF the pub
lie recognition paid 10 lofty purposes
Gen. La Fayette was but a young man
when he espoused the cause OF liberty and
independence. overcoming w-l!-nieh In
surmountable obstacles to do so. IL is al
together fitting. therefore. that the youth
of merica should have part IN this tes-
timonial TO his goodness and greatness.
Il am glad TO note that your committee
has fixed a date when our people. IN every
part % the country. may testify their in
terest In this proposed mon unent and their
dete rmination that the movement already
begun shall achieve the greatest success
Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM MKINLEY."
La Fayette. boy OF -, gave up all
lis prospects Of wealth and high posi-
lion in France 10 come TO the aid OF
This country when it was struggling
for liberty. and that in its very darkest
hour. Ii was when report came 10
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-
tives and royal friends, and notwith-
standing arrest and delay and all con-
ceivable obstacles which were put il
Lis 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
Get sail.
He had been promised by silas Deane
the American representative in Paris
commission as major general In the
patriot army. When congress dissent
ed 10 this on account of his age and in
experience. La Fayette, who was wait.
ing without. sent in word that he he
permitted 10 enter the army as pri-
va,e ard without pay. From this mo-
ment to the end of the revolutionary
war this young Frerchman was one Of
the most arden; and able cha mpions
Of the patriot cause. lie imme diately
became WA shington's dearest friend
and engaged with him in many Of the
councils which led TO the final colonial
victories. Monmouth. Brnndywine
Baron Hill and Yorktown were scenes
Of his exploits on the field. His aid
10 America. however. in thi. trying
time was not confined to valor alone
lie was instrumental In securing the
patriots success in more material
way. Through him it was that the
alliance with France was finally Sc
cured which brought the turning point
OF the revolution. La Fayette. by his
influence in Paris. did possibly more
than any other agency 10 induce the
French king to take up arms with us
against tNranblc EnglaUu. IL was
through La Fayette's agency also that
the colonies secured that famous loan
OF 27,000.O0 livres from the French
government, OF which that nation said
later in regard to its payment: "Of the
27.OOO.coO 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 In
Fayette continued throughout life.
and formed one of the greatest exam
pies OF mutual attachment in the his
tory Of great men, and both he and
his successors until the death OF La
Fayette let no opportunity pass to
do the noble Frenchman honor. Upon
the occasion OF his visit 10 this coun-
try after American independence had
been gained he was met with mani
festations on the part OF the people
unparalleled in the records Of appre-
cation ~ nation. When he returned
10 these shores in 1924 congress gave
him an official reception in the hall
OF representatives.. and the people con.
49, - +.