The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-05

tie. when Lafayette was an infant in arms. He spoke of his fighting nature and his studious application to the things of peace, notwithstanding his fnborn Impulses for war. He told of his court life at the age of Is years and his marriage at 16, his life as a commits stoned officer in the French army at IS and his final landing in America at the age of 19. He spoke of his services on the battlefield. of his friendship for Washington and the affection for Washington and the American army to the young nob1eman. He reviewed his services as a lover of liberty in the French Revolution.
 Message of Lafayette.
 He announced that fs would speak more particularly on the message Of Lafayette to the men of the present time. He called attention to the perfec: gentility of Lafayette and how his ex- ample could well be emulated in the present Dr. Rice said that the present age Is degenerating from the viewpoint of 8 gentleman. Commercialism has much to do with this and men are so busy making a living that they do not take time to make a life. He spoke of the constant thought Lafayette had for the more serious things in life and re- lated how this thought was apparent throughout his eventful career.
 He spoke eloquently on the self preservation of his manhood exercised by Lafayette and how under the most adverse circumstances, he still held 10 his position and said T am still La fayette."
 The speaker said that the example set by Lafayette during the Frencn Revolution. whereby he probaoiy sac riffced a Kingdom because he remem- bered that liberty must be limited py law, was worthy of emulation. lie said that at the present time, America is undergoing gradual revolution Two great classes, capital and labor, are constantly in conflict and he urged throughout that the American people should, like Lafayette, constantly re- member that law is supreme
 Dr. Rice spoke of the patriot as an exponent of civil and political rlgn- teousness exemplifying his statements by historical incidents of Lafayette's career during the French revolution.
 He paid a brilliant tribute to Lafay- ette and his wife for their constant oo- servance of the purity of the home during the most corrupt period of mod ern times and in this reference made spirited attack on the divorce evil.
 Dr. Rice closed in an urgent appeal for closer adherence to the character istics of the great Frenchman.
 UnveiIing of Tablet.
 Two little maidens dressed in the costumes of the revolutionary period then seized the strings that held the tri-color and the stars and stripes to the table on which the tablet was, and the emblem of honor to Lafayette was unveiled. The little girls were Miss T IaI, Aldnro CnndWVn.
 MT. Ruth said that there was In the audience a mother of Montgomery who was present when Lafayette passed through and who as a little girl saw the young patriot. That mother was Mrs James Fountain and he asked Mrs. Fountain to take a seat of honor on the stand.
 Mrs. Fountain with the assistance of her son-in-law. Colonel B. M. Wash burn, and pr. Thomas M. Owen, was assisted to the rostrum. The audience rose and applauded vociferously. The venerable woman viewed the assem- blaze and her thoughts went back eighty years. She smiled and bowed her respects to the audience.
 On the rostrum with Mrs. Fountain were seated Mrs. Amelia Wiley, life regent of Peter Forneq Chapter; Mrs. F. P. Glass, regent of that chapter. and Mrs. Phares Coleman, regent of Francis Marion Chapter.
 A male quartette, composed of Messrs. J. J. Pierce. T. w. Carter, Edward Davant and Dr. J. H. Lakin, sang with piano accompaniment. Their number was appreciated.
 Tho Visit of Lafayette.
 Dr. Owen announced the objects of the Society and gave a short sketch of the coming of Lafayette to Montgom- ory.
 The visit of General Lafayette was a most important event in the early days of Montgomery. No one was more de- serving of honors from the American people, said Dr. Owen, and none ever received more patriotic and grateful homage A large escort had gone to Fort Mitchell on the Chattahoochee River to receive him as he landed on Alabama soil and accompany him to this place.
 The nations distinguished guest ar rived at Montgomery on Sunday morn ing, April 8. 1895. The escort with the nations benefactor halted in the rear of the present Capitol Square, from whence they walked to the top of the hill Almost the entire population of the town, as well as several hundred citizens of the surrounding country, had assembled to greet the great French captain. Colonel Boiling Hall, Sr.. introduced General Lafayette to Governor Israel Pickens, whose feel ings on that occasion prevented him from making a speech, but, as General Woodward remarks, Lafayette did not fail to perceive that the Governor was a great man. Colonel Arthur Hayne, a distinguished officer of the war of 1912. was also present and one of the chief managers.
 After the hearty reception exercises. General Lafayette was escorted to the elegant residenc of John Edmondson on Commerce Street, which had been engaged and fitted up for his accom- modation. During his briei sojourn. all kinds of business seemed to be neg lected. and all vied with each other in their attentions to the only surviving Major General of the American Rev olution The reunion between him and John Caffy. Sr., Isaac Lansdale. John Griffin, Robert Ware. ST, and other Revolutionary soldiers. was truly af- fecting.
 on the night of April 4th a grand ball was given in his honor in the sec ond story of Colonel Freeny's brick building, which stood at the southwest corner of Commerce and Tallapoosa Streets General Lafayette retired from the ball room about II o'clock, and lower down on Commerce Street. at the residence of John Gindrat. spent his last hour in the town. Shortly af- ter l2 o'clock he was on board the steamboat which conveyed him to Ca haba. then the Capitol of the State