Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-02
HONORs FOR LAFAYETTE.
Mt the Great Paris
Exposition.


The Fourth day OF July. a. D., 1860 will
be q grand day in the celebrated metropo-
lis of France. Paris is at all times
largely cosmopolitan; but she will be pre-
eminently such during a great part of the
year 1862 because she will then hold an
other Of her famous international expo
sit.ons. which every effort will be put
forth TO make superior to all its prede-
cessors and their competitors. All civil
ICED nations. and some not so civilized,
have been invited thither and urged 10
display themselves in their greatest glory
and power.
invitation, and every facility has been
extended to them to exhibit themselves
in manner worthy of the new light in
which tn = have come TO be regarded by
the nations OF the earth.
Already has their natal day. the Fourth
OF July been set apart as United States.
or American, Day, and It devolves upon
all citizens Of our great republic, whe-
Their they can be present I'm Paris or not
to do all In their power TO render that
day most memorable and honorable.
One striking feature in the programme
for that day will be the paying OF suita-
BILE honors to the memory of Lafayette.
A handsome monument is to be erected
on that day, and the remains of the great
friend Of human liberty and right are to
be removed from Picpus Cemetery and
deposited under II. All this is TO be ac-
companied with appropriate ceremonies
In which the Sons of the American
Revolution" will take a cordial part. II
General Horace Porter, who was for seve-
raj years the efficient, able, and jealous
president OF their national organization
in the United States, should then be our
Ambassador TO France, he Will exert him
self to have their part executed faithfully
and credtably. Four honorary tablets
are TO be inserted in the monument, and
the Sons Of the American Revolution will
strive to secure one Of them.
But the Sons of the American Reyo-
luton" have been called upon, and are
still 10 aid in raising funds for the cree
ton Of that monument in Paris. A large
part Of these funds has been contributed
by the school-childre1 of the United
States. The 18th day Of October last. the
of the surrender at York.
town was set apart as Schools Day, and
about $4,000 were received from them. In
this laudable work. however, the school
children Of Virginia took no part. This
was owing to some salutary restrictions.
which law and usage have thrown around
the uses that are allowed to be made Of
her public schools. But Il is hoped that
some plan may yet be devised by which
the school-children and all the people Of
Virginia will have the opportunity and
the pleasure of paying practical honor 10
the true and constant friend OF Washing |
ton and Of this Old Dominion.
There are special reasons why Virginia |
should, with alacrity and delight, engage |
heartily in honoring the memory OF La
IN, III a,fT
nent form. The last services Of his mill
tary career In America were rendered in
Virginia, and instead of Lord Cornwalliss
up that "boy-general," as he
threatened 10 do, the boy general help
ed Washington to pen his Lordship in
Yorktown. and there, as the old darby
said Shell all de corn off OF him and
turn him into Lord CORVALLIS" After
Lafayette returned 10 France he kept up
lffectionate relations with Virginia.
He was requested by Governor Henry
md the Council Of Virginia TO aid our
Mr.. Barclay in purchasing the best arms
or the militia of the State. He respond
ID in the following noble manner:
Paris, June T. 17s5
Indeed, sir, the Virginia militia de-
erve to be well armed and properly at
tended. l pray 10 God these warlike
stores may never be Of any use. But
should America unfortunately have any
uture occasion for soldiers | hope she
will not leave out OF her list one who
vas early adopted in her service, and
Who will, at all times. most readily and
most dovotedly Ofler his exertions."
When Virginia had her fine statue OF /
executed by Houdon, she or
Tered two marble busts. by the same
irtist. of Lafayette-one for herself,
which she still has IN her Capitol. and
he other for the Marquis-but with his
consent that one was presented by her 70
he city OF Paris, which accepted II by
public celebration. 70 which our Minister
.lr. Jefferson, sent a strong letter. as he
vas unable TO attend in person.
Then there Is another interesting fact
II the same period. The Governor Of
Virginia sent 10 the sculptor Houdon one
II the instruments in payment for his
tatue Of Washington, by Mr.. Lewis Lit
lepage. who was about 10 return 10 Eu-
ope, where some Of his exploits were
bout as romantic and wonderful as
hose claimed by the redoubtabie Captain
ohm Smith. though they have not yet
cen assaled by the sceptcism OF Pro-
essor Dean or Mr. Alex. Brown. When
Ir. Littlepage got to New York he was
rrested there at the suit OF the Hon.