The Washington times., 1909-04-28
Military Honors Paid Gal
liant Officer Who Planned
Capital City.
PRESIDENT JOINS
IN THE SERVICES
Commissioner Macfarland Tells of
Services Rendered TO
Washington.

After lying for etghty-four years In
a comparatively unknown grave at Reed
Hill, Md. the remains Of Major ierre
Charles L'Enfant were today placed
among the IGNORED dead Of the nation
at Arlington. The foremost men In the
country assembled at the Capitol to pay
tribute 10 the gallant officer of the
Continental army, who drew the plans
for the Capital City.
The casket. In which the body rests,
covered by a large silk American flag,
was placed In the rotunda OF the Cap
itol this morning and around It as
sembIed distinguished gathering 10
participate in the ceremony. which was
the first official recognition the Federal
Government has given to the officer
who fought with Washington and TO
whom was given the work by the first
President OF planning the seat OF Gov
eminent
President Taft arrived some minutes
before the exercises began. accom-
panied by Mrs. Taft and Capt Archi-
bald Butt. the military aide. Upon tie
dais at the head of the casket were
Vice President Sherman. Ambassador
Jusserand, Commissioner Macfarland,
and Commissioner West Near by were
the naval and military attaches Of the
French embassy. Distributed about the
rotunda were large delegations from
the Order OF Cincinnati. of which or
ganization PEnfant was one Of the arst
members, Daughters OF the American
Revolution Sons of the American RevC-
luton, Justices of the Supreme Cou-t,
Senator's and members of the House OF
Representatives. Standing at attention
about the casket was a guard from the
Engineer Corps selected as a particu-
larly appropriate mark Of respect 10
Major ! Enfant's ability as an engi-
neer officer in the Continental Army
Most Impressive
Although the Government has de-
layed for nearly a century in bestow-
ing hOnors upon the officer who left
his own country to cast his fortunes
with the Revolutionary army. the
ceremony today was as impressive
as though his deeds were those Of
yesterday and the tribute TO his mem
ory, his services to the Government
and his wonderful work as the de-
signer OF the Capital were as eloquent
as though they had been performed
within the memory OF those who as
sembled to do him honor.
Although President Taft attended
the ceremonies, he did not speak. Vice
President Sherman having been Sc
lected to speak on behalf Of the Gov
ernment. he spoke feelingly OF the
work that had been accomplished 2y
EEnfant and said that II the ofncial
thanks OF this nation had been tardy
II was because few realized how great
was the task which has been so sue
cessfully accomplished. The Vice
President also took occasion to refer
TO the bond Of friendship which has
always existed between the United
States and France and said that the
sible, by the presence in Washington
of Ambassador Jusserand-
This occasion suggests" said Vice
President Sherman in beginning his ad-
dress, "a thought not usual in America
the thought that our people have been
tardy IN offering appreciative acknowl-
edguent OF Individual effort put forth
for the benef1t Of all II as well sug-
gests the further thought that other
generations than those wherein deeds
were wrought VIII not permit merit to
remain forever unacknowledged- No
people have granted fuiler or more gen
erous reward for vaiorous service than
those Of our Republic Few there be
whose service to country on field, not
so few in forum, have failed OF suitable
recognition. He whose mortal remains
"a few scattered bones-we TODAY
transfer from the obscure resting place
of nearly a century to live with the
natioE's great, served us In arms and
In civil life; IN arms with distinguished
bravery, and civil life with rare and
masterfui genius"
Mr. Sherman eulogized L'Enfant in
the highest terms for his genius and
foresight. and later IN his speech said: {:
IF tC L'Enfant was not granted at
once complete recognition Of his i'm
agination and genius. the American
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