Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-10-07
TO HONOR LAFAYETTE.

School Children of the Nation to Erect a
Monument in Paris.
In the city of Paris there is a convent
and garden known through the immortal
Hugo's LES Mserables." 1t is the con-
vent of the Petit Picpus. In the grounds
of this convent is a small cemetery where
nearly 1900 victims of the guillotine
were buried Unfortunately. 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. plain granite
slab. Upon a register kept by the
concierge of the convent there are inscrib-
ed the names of but small number of
casual visitors.
In view of these facts the Lafayette
Memorial Commission has been formed
for the purpose of erecting monument
to the memory of Lafayette as a twen-
tieth century tribute from the people Of
this nation, to be unveiled with fitting
ceremony July /, 1900, and thus celebrate
United States Day at the Paris eXposi-
ton. 1t is proposed that the cost of the
undertaking, which is estimated to APP
proXimate quarter of million dollars,
shall be betrayed by small contributions
secured through the agency Of the school
children of our land.
1t requires no argument to convince
the liberty-loving people of America of
the far-reaching value of this most fitting,
opportune and significant movement. 1t
will promote patriotism and implant in
the minds of our young generation, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, broader
knowledge of their country's history. 1t
is asked that Oct. 10, 1898, be observed
as "LaFayette Day" in every school dis
trict throughout our land, when our
children will be told the story of our
struggle for liberty, and they may then
contribute their help and pennies in
memory of their nations defender.
The following is a 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 a national farewell.
By the state of Virginia and Maryland,
in the same year, passing acts making
him and his heirs forever citizens of their
respective commonwealth.
By Washington, when, constrained as
chief of a nation to be silent and passive
toward 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 commend
ing him in the highest possible terms to
the king of France.
By the reception given Lafayette upon
the occasion of his visit to America in
1924, on which occasion congress gave
him an official reception In the hall of
the house of representatives and when,
as the historian states, the people con-
tended with the horses for the honor of
drawing his carriage, and when, finally,
congress presented him with an appro-
priation of 100000, township of land,
built and named in his honor a man-of-
war, the Brandywine, and rendered the
same to him for his conveyance home.
And also by the action of France,
which having through the influence of
Lafayette, loaned US 27,000,000 livres,
said In regard to its payment: "Of the
1900, 900 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"
The commission has decided upon Oct.
10, the anniversary of the surren-
der of CORVALLIS at Yorktown, as the
day which the schools of the United
States are asked to recognize as "LaFay-
cite Day." On this date, it is hoped, by
concerted effort ample funds will be Sc
cured to build the monument on scale
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