The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-02
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 delayed about the terms of peace he busted himself organizing another expedi- ton, this one designed to attack New York. About the time it was ready to sail the treaty of peace was signed and he dispatched the vessel that brought the first news to America.
 Master of France
 In 1874 he came to the United States to enjoy the spectacle of nation free Then for the next three years he lived a life of peace and ase In his beloved France the only three years of ease he was to know for many, many years. France was beginning that period of unrest that was to develop into one of the greatest con- vulsions in the worlds history. people long wronged were to throw of the shackles. It was the opening of the rev. olution. From the start Lafayette was one of the principal actors. No man prominent in that fierce era clung so tenaciously to the right. preserved 50 per feet a boise, exhibited so courageous a spirit and so kind a heart as Lafayette He was the one man in whom king and courier, merchant and peasant had per feet faith. Corruption was rampant, but he was incorruptible. Nothing could move him from what he believed to be his duty. He took part In al lthe delib- erations when the throne was trembling to it's fall.
 In one thing he erred, and erred griev- ously. He had such faith in the Ameri- can system of independence that he thought 1t would cure the ills of France. He did not know his own people When the national guard was organized he was made commander -in-chief. For three years he held control practically of France. He advocated the principles of true re- public-relgious toleration. freedom of the press, abolition of titles of nobility, trial by jury. destruction of special privilege. Many times his life was endangered. cares, he followed the straight course of duty. Twice he saved the King when mobs bent on murder besieged the royal palace.
 When the allies declared war against France and began to invade the country he resigned command of the national guard and took charge of one of three armies sent to the frontier to meet the enemy. It was while he was with the army that the passions of the people passed all bounds. Constitutional gov with the commune came the Reign of Terror. Commissioners wore sent by the commune to endeavor to obtain his sup port, for his influence with the army was great
 Tn Prison
 He put the commissioners under arrest and refused to recognize the commune. Then he was branded as traitor. Next his troops got the fever. and there was open revolt. With the government upset, the King beheaded and the army in the passion of communism he resigned his command and sought safety in Belgium a neutral land. There. in violation of all right, he was arrested by the Austrians To the allies he was the spirit. the incar- nation of revolution, man too danger ous to be at liberty. For nearly six years he was kept in close confinement, first in Magdeburg and later in Oimutz. All his estates in France were confis- cated by the revolutionists. and he and his family were left penniless. Not only that. but many of his relatives were sent to the guillotine. Twice his wife was to be beheaded. and twice she was saved through the intervention of Gouverneur | Morris. the American minister to France
 The United States government begged Austria for his release. Lord Cornwailis, Colonel Tarleton-the Tarleton who was chief aid to Cornwallis in the American war-Sheridan, Fox, the Duke of Bedford--most of the great men of England. in fact--appealed to the Austrian Emperor to set him free. but without avail. FoA in the House of Commons then thundered his pro- test. "That noble character IafRy- otte,", he declared. Twill flourish in the annals of the world when kings and the crowns they wear will be no more regarded than the dust to which they must return"
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