The times., 1899-02-20
LAFAYETTE HONORED
IN Speech and SONG
Enthusiastic Endorsement Of
the Memorial Project.
The Meeting in Columbia Theatre
Crowned With Success.
senator Mason's Address Full of Pa
triotism and ElNpinos-Iiisscd
by the Audience.

| the project Of erecting monument to Cen
eral Lafayette in Paris. July 4, 1900. The
| theatre was crowded to the doors, ana
there was hardly standing room for those
who came late. Distinguished Congress-
men and Senators occupied seats on the
platform, and the Marine Band played pa
triotic airs, which kindled the enthusiasm
| Of the great crowd into something akin to
| excitement.
| The speakers, who dwelt upon the
| glorious achievements of Lafayette and
| Washington, were frequently interrupted
| with applause, and the object of the meet
| ing, to secure an endorsement from the
people with regard to the construction of
a monument in Paris to mark the neg
iected grave of Lafayette was in the
fullest sense realized. The expression OF
those present was most emphatic, leaving
little room for doubt that the project in
tToduced by Mr.. Robert J. Thompson, of
| Chicago, and taken up by the school chill
dren OF the United States, will have sue
cessful termination, and that structure
which viii reflect credit upon the Ameri
can people will be erected in Paris over
| Lafayette's resting place.
The speeches were full of patriotic fer
vor. The orators selected for the evening
were Robert ]. Thompson, secretary OF
the Lafayette Memorial Commission; Gen.
! William r. Cox. secretary of the United
States Senate; Representatives Frederick
H. Gillett and John NJ. Allen, and Senator
William L. Mason. Mr.. Allen was the only
speaker absent, having been suddenly
called out of the city. Mr.. Chaplin Brown
made an address in MIR. Aliens place.
a large delegation from the Daughters
of the American Revolution occupied spe
cially reserved boxes to the left of the
stage. They also, by their enthusiasm, gave
endorsement to the movement.
The ceremonies of the evening were
opened with prayer by Rev. DR.. Stafford.
He emphasized liberty in his invocation
and prayed that all the nations OF the earth
might be blessed with liberty. especially
the land of Lafayette's birth.
The First Speech.
The first speaker was Chaplin Brown. He
euIogized the career of Lafayette and de-
clared that by his timely aid and encour-
agement the American people were able to
secure their independence. He said in con-
clusion:
This crowded, enthusiastic gathering. which
! speaks the sentiment Of the American people,
| endorses this movement. This is sacred duty as
| well a patriotic enterprise, and God will honor
the nation that in gratitude remembers a man
| 80 noble, and the future ages viii recognize the
act and bow in acknowledgment. The school chill
and generous enterprise and now let it be a fit
ting tribute, not only from our children, but from
our entire popuacc. There are few characters in
history worthy OF emulation as lafayette, and
there is better means than this OF showing our
appreciation OF his yalUr and his timely aid to
this country
Robert J. Thompson. originator Of the
project and secretary of the Lafayette Me-
mortal Commission was the next speaker.
He began by thanking the committee on
arrangements for its courtesy in inviting
him to be present and expressed his graf
iiication at being able to take part in the
exercises. He spoke Of the trying times
of the Revolution, when the American SOL
diers we're hunted and General Washing
ton was driven like a traitor by the hunt
ers. Then came Lafayette, who was made
a major general and who spent his money
and devoted his energies to the cause of
liberty. The budding thoughts Of nearly
5000 600 children, the speaker said, had
blossomed into this beautiful expression by
which the country could show its love for
Lafayette. Mr.. Thompson concluded by
saying:
Glory was his champion through life She
walked hand in hand with him and accompanied
linn to his honorable grave in Paris. There today
| see her weaving for linn garldnds OF fame
from everlasting truth.
, Gen. William Il. Cox, Secretary Of the
thltel states SENATE, inen spoke. ltla
speech was a historic review of the times
of the Revolutionary period. Then La
fayette gas received with distrust by the
American people, and endured much that
, would have daunted Il less courageous spir-
, ii. The speaker said:
lafayette was man oi wealth and OF that
ROYAL favor which his ancestors for generations
had enjoyed; get he rcPadiated kiuEly rule re-
sisted the blandlshmcntS gf courts, with an tlei
Z hollow Iu"ckcry and mincauHg ceremonies II,
offered his life and lis lD.tGnc upon the sacred
altar OF liberty.
: Frederick H. Gillett of Massachusetts,
: was the next speaker. He was loudly ap-
; plauded at frequent intervals during hi.
I remarks. He spoke eloquently expressing
his desire to see the project carried to sue
cess. He said in closing his address:
What did you do in France for Hyins?'
was frequently asked Of Lafayette when he cam,
To America. The people did not realize the sacri
fee he made The Queen had selected him as
Young man to adorn her court but this he de
! ciined. lie devoted 10 the cause OF liberty
and lived absolutely Tree from partisan prejudice
His history at home challenges our admiration
5 and he destined 10 write his name a. high il
= | his home land as he had written it here
( senator Mason Kissed.
Y Hon. William L. Mason was the last
speaker. The spirit OF the occasion help
4 | ed him and he said:
Thank God, /, too. am an American. Wher
| the time comes for the dedication OF the munlt
| ment in Paris in 1900 the American people vii
9 have cleared away some OF the atmosphere tina
r | now surrounds them. II know this. y. said Prpl
dent Lincoln, that Is good enough t,
Z govern another without the others consent.
In mentioning the nations of the eartt
who had had their Lafayettes Senate
Mason referred TO the Philippines, saying
| he had no doubt that they, too, would
have their Lafayette. The sentiment wa.
evidently an unpopular one with the audi,
I | ence for ii brought forth storm of Kisses
At the conclusion of his speech Senate
5 Mason thanked those who had applaude,
in the fashion of geese and snakes
| A vote of thanks was extended to the
board of directors Of the Columbia The.
atre for the use of the building, and to the
members of the Marine Band. The audi.
ence arose and sang The Star SpangieG
] Banner" and DR.. Stafford pronounced The
benediction.
q The following gentlemen served on com.
mittees:
Henry May. chairman; W. H. Pearce secrc
> tary; Admiral James A. Greer Cen J. c, Breck
= nIidge. the Hon. John Il. Wight William L
e Curtis john Paul Ernest Francis T. Lcupp. Lloy
a | Is. Wight Charles & TaintOr, Surgeon Genera
9 Walter Wyman. +. W. Hackett, Wy NJ. Vanhoru
:, Lewis \ Dlvis, j. A. Sample. J. W Henry. Caze
u move G. Lee.
e ScaIped With an Iron Pipe.
Thomas Poscy. IL years of age. while engage
u in alteration with unknown men i
Il South Washington SATURDAY night WIS Str,r
icred severe lacerations OF the scalp lie wa
:, taken to the Emergency Hospital. where it re
: quTed several Stitches to close his wounds.