The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-19
MONUMENT TO LAFAYETTE
American School Children Erect tn
Onein Paris

washington, Feb. 1S-A movement has
been set afoot to have the United s+o+os
erect monument to General LAFAYETTE
IN the city of Paris to be dedicated DURING
the Paris exposition. The protector of
the movement is Mr.. Robert Thomson
VINO has been assured by the French gov
eminent unofficially, through NJ. Picard
that ground for the monument can no
secured through the municipality of Paris
III case it be deemed inadvisahle to erac+
II over the grave of Lafayette which &c
now OBSCURE and almost unmarked Pres
IuehI mckinley and Assistant Secretary
Day. Mr.. Thompson says. have shown
much interest in the matter which has
peen brought officially to the attention
OF congress through resolutions offered
IN both houses. A resolution offered nv
provision for a commission to suDervise
the collection of a fund among all the
schools of the United States for the pur
pose or erecting a monument to General
Lafayette in the city of Paris. the same
TO be presented to the government of
france and unveiled and dedicated on the
Fourth of July. 1900 A preamble to the
resolution declares that it is proposed to
sisnalize the celebration of United States
day at the Paris exposition of 1900 by
the erecting and dedicating on that dav
monument from the people of America
to General Lafayette. 1t then recites the
several occasions on which the govern
ment Of the United States recognized the
influence OF General Lafayette upon the
result Of the war for independence and.
continuing. says:
Whereas, An occasion now presents
itself wherein the American people NAV
reciprocate the courtesies extended us in
the presentation of the Lafayette monu-
ment now in Lafayette square. in the city
of Washington and the Bartholdi statue
of Liberty in the New York harbor and
again show their friendship to France.
their love and veneration for that COM
patriot of Washington. General Lafavette
an opportunity which may not come for
many years q fitting time and fitting
place; and.
Whereas. \ place where the remains
Of General Lafayette now lay humhly in
the pious cemetery of Paris. marked only
by an unpretenuous marble tombstone;
and.
most
proud and holy pilgrimage for all lovers
OF liberty; and.
Whereas, The proposed monument
should be 4 spontaneous offer. coming
direct and exclusively from the children
Of America and that in their bearing the
expense Of this work without financial
aid from the government the effect may
be Of the highest benefit TO our people
as donors, in directing as il viii. the
thoughts Of patriotic youth TO the most
important part of our history 10 broaden
their views 10 international points and
10 arouse their interest in the great events
OF the dawning century: therefore be II.
Resolved. etc, in furtheranCe of the
purposes OF this bill. an honorary com
mission Is hereby formed consisting OF
the president of the United States. as ex-
officio president Of said commission. and
the governors OF various states and ter
ritories as eN-onicio vice president OF said
commission; thar the president be and Is
hereby authorized TO appoint an acting
commission OF i've members consisting OF
a president. secretay-superinten
treasurer and two others. who shall ar
range plans and personally direct the
collection and expenditures Of all moneys
the selection OF a site and the plsns Of
said monument, the building Of the uonu-
ment, the dedication and unwilling Of the
same and the preparation Of an historical
report upon the work when completed The
expense OF such work TO be borne out OF
Tie moneys raised therefrom.'