Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-17
Remembering Rochambeau.

national Capital, IN nOnOr OIL INC HlSlt
of Prince Henry, and now it is all
French, in honor of the distinguished
French officials who are crossing the
ocean on the battleship Gaulois to rep
resent their country at the unveiling
of the Rochambeau statue, May a.. 1t
is well that America is thus honoring
the memory of that distinguished SOL
der, and well that the occasion is i'm
proved to strengthen the ties of friend
ship that have so long existed between
America and France. The letter Of
President Roosevelt, inviting France to
participate in the ceremonies, was most
cordially received by the French gov
eminent and press, and the occasion ot
the departure of the official representa-
tives on the Gaulois was made the Oc
casion of a popular demonstration Of
friendship for this country.
Since that critical period of American
history when Lafayette, Rochambeau
and the others heard the Macedonian
cry from our shores to come over and
help us, much has happened in this
country. We have had foreign wars
and the greatest Civil War Of all time,
and there have been many decades of
oppressive and prosperous peace. but
aa years that have passed ard all the
.vvuttul history that this country has
Jecn busy in making have not dulled
The national sense of obligation to those
brave and generous Frenchmen who
helped us when help was most needed.
The name of Lafayette is more familiar
to US than the others. His sacrifice for
the cause of liberty was dramatic, and
his life story romantic; ana, moreover
he was the close personal friend of
Washington, and in later years, when
half u century had passed, he paid this
country a memorable visit But the
statue of Rochambeau along with that
of Lafayette at Washington will be a
perpetual reminder to the country that
Lafayette had associates among his
countrymen in the American struggle
for independence to whom everlasting
remembrance and honor are due.
It is recorded that when Lafayette
returned to France in 1779, he found the
country aroused in behalf Of America
The French Treasury was assured sup
port by proffers of contributions, and
an auxiliary army was formed to assist
the Americans. 1t was written: This
public enthusiasm triumphed over tn
hesitating reluctance of Maurepas and
the economical prudence Of Neckar.
The army, placed under the command
of the veteran Rochambeau, commend
ed for his 'steadiness. wisdom. ability
and prudence was to be composed Of
5000 men" How well Rochambeau de
served the communication his career IN
America abundantly attested. 1t is IA
miliar to every American schoolboy.
One act Of his, apart from his inesti-
mable services in the field, shines
brightly on the historic page, and re-
veals his trust and confidence in the
success of the American cause when it
must have seemed exceedingly dis
couraginS to many American patriots.
When the army proceeded southwark in
pursuit Of CORVALLIS it had been with
out pay for many months. When 1T
was discovered that the Southern
movement was on foot, the historian
says. dissatisfaction was manifested
but Count de Rochambeau advanced
$20.000in gold upon the pledge of Robert
Morris that he would refund the
sum by the 1st Of October, and
the effect upon troops, who had
long been without pay, was in
spring" This was early in Septem-
Der. 1871. The campaign thus begun
ended gloriously on October 10. 17Sl
by the sure adcr of CORVALLIS and his
men as prisoners of war Ito the CON-
bined forces Of America and France"
The French support of American in
dependence was by no means confined
TO the soldiers sent to assist in achiev-
ing it. France advanced funds to
America to an amazing extent in view
Of the uncertain outlook. We are told
that when France was verging on
bankruptcy she raised two loans for
America, together amounting to $1,000
900, in the last year of the war Lecky.
in his History of England in the
Eighteeth Century" says up to the
Very eve of the formal signature of
peace and long after the virtual ter
min9uon OF the war the America rs
found it necessary to besiege the
Trench court for money" Ore chro /.
icler AYERS that the American war cost
France $3.50. 200. 900. 1t is by recalling
such facts and figures that we discover
the vast obligation We owed to France
and to Frenchmen like Rochambeau in
the trying days of the Republic.
The advocates of the Panama route
forN the isthmian canal are quick to
taka\ advantage of the stupendous
Srsar l1xr.,