El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-12-07
STATUE TO AN
AMERICAN PATRIOT
CONTINUED From rage Cne.,

through Prussian territory to the Hes
sian and other German troops hired TO
\ hight against the coloniSts Frederick
| the Great was one Of the first to recog-
nfze the independence of the colonies
by concluding a treaty of commerco
with the United States
Steuben was not an adventurer
purely seeking personal fame and
money He had been a distinguished
| onlcer in the great Frederick's army
IN which he was an aide de camp to
the king He came TO America ar the
request of Benjamin Franklin and with
letter Of introduction from him Steu-
Den himself wrote to congress that the
nonor or serving a nation engaged in
the noble enterprise of defending its
rights and liberties was the reason
that brought him TO this continent. It
Is recognized by all American histor-
lans, that none of the foreign officers
rendered more Important services than
Steuben did by organizing and disci-
plining the army, introducing a system
OF military tactics and creating the
engineer and artillery corps. By i'm
parting discipline he gave confidence
TO the officers and men and enabled
the troops from different parts of the
country to act together with unan-
unity and effect"
Representative Richard Bartholdt. of
St Louis, spoke Of Won Steuben as a
man of master mind in meeting the re-
quiremenrs or organization, fundament-
al tactics and strategy
His services" Mr.. Bartholdt contin-
ued. were from beginning TO end acts
of personal remuneration and only the
satisfaction of duty well performed,
the growing prospects OF final success.
md Nl,ol Ill
would be difficult for others TO fill his
particular place, could inspire the 10y
atty and cheerfulness OF his work
The greatest honor a nation can
bestQw upon historical character
does not consist in clarifying and ex-
alting him, but in doing him justice
and IN according to him the recogni-
ton honestly due Ihim- 1t must, there
fore, be a singular satisfaction to the
present generation to know that baron
Steuben's worth and merits were high
~ appreciated and honored even dur
Ing his life time But what Steuben
himself priced highest of all was q
letter from his chief,
general Washington, written at An
uapolis on December 25, 1888 It said:
Ny Dear BarOn:-Although I have
taken frequent opportunities. both pub
lie and private, to acknowledge your
performing the duties Of your office,
yet / wish to make use Of this last
moment of my public life to signify
IN the strongest terms my entire ap-
probation Of your conduct and to ex-
press my sense of the obligation the
public is under to you for your faith
full and meritoriOus services.
beg you will be convinced my
dear sir. that I should rejoice if n
could ever be in my power to serve
you more essentially than by express
sions of regard and affection, sSt in
the meantime I am persuaded you will
not be dispIeased with this farewell
token of my sincere friendship and es-
TEEN for you.
This is the last letter I shall write
while / continue in the service Of my
country. The hour Of, my resignation
is fixed at Il today. after which I shall
become a private citizen on the banks
of the Potomac, where / shall be glad
TO embrace you and testify the great
esteem and consideration with which 7
am. my dear baron etc.
Unlike many other foreign officers.
baron Steuben never returned TO his
%, 1894. a true American patriot To-
day he has been lifted from his OBJ
scure grave and the hearts and minds
of a grateful nation revere his mem
DRY. and why? Not only because he
happened to stand at the cradle OF
American independence and helped
nurse it to a reality. but also because
of his sterling qualities of character,
which by means of this monument are
held up as guiding stars to this and
future generations"