Evening star., 1911-05-28

French army. than whom America has
no more enthusiastic admirer and friend.
recently told a story in an address to the
Franco Society in Paris OF
Lafayette's visit TO America in 1881 The
great Franco-American general was re-
ceived. as on previous visits. with much
popular enthusiasm. ON this particular
occasion, when harangued on the great
part he had taken In the revolution OF
1880. the marquis replied with character
Isfic modesty. When he had finished the
mayor OF the city, whose name may not
be recalled. approached. and shaking his
hand while looking at him flxedly. that
he might never forget the features OF
Lafayette. he asked with emotion: Mon
sieur. is this your first visit to America
X X
Monuments In stone. notwithstanding
all that is said about writing history
In the hearts OF the peo-
LEnfant pie. are necessary me-
mentos OF men and pa
~A"nuAes' triotic deeds Americas
conscience will be solaced now that Maj.
nation.
President Taft in his address on the
unveiling OF the LEnfant memorial at
Arlington national cemetery the 22d in
stant gently raped the national con-
science thus:
MY fellow citizens: We are here today
to celebrate the last rites of the man
who designed the plan. the execution of
which has made Washington beautiful.
There are not many who have to wait
100 years to receive the reward to which
they are entitled until the world shall
make the progress which enables II to
pay the just reward
The ambassador OF France, NJ. Jus
serand. traced in eloquent lines LEn-
fants almost forgotten story. They
should be perpetuated In marble or bronze
In another memorial to the illustrious
Franco-American. We cite from the am
basSadOr's peroration:
Now monument marks the place
where the wounded soldier OF Savannah.
the designer OF the Cincinnati badge. the
builder OF Forts Miffiin and Washington.
the author of the plan OF the federal city.
sleeps his last sleep.
ION this hill, from which is discovered
one OF the finest sights in the world. the
city of beautiful buildings and shady
avenues that he knew would rise one day
a great city for q great nation. L'Enfant
now rests among his peers. He fought
for American independence. he believed
I'm the future OF the country. Well may
ire rest IN the lH1uSt or tnat army OF tne
dead who. in their lifetime. at the sad
hour of another great struggle, saved
the Union"
Senator Root followed and said in part !:
1T is not a change In LEnfant that
brings us here It is We who have
preciate his work. And our tribute to
him should be to continue his work"
And pointing eastward to the city bathed
in the light OF the summer sun, the orator
AsyvSN - <v,A
A mans work is his monument. known.
or whether 1t be forever forgotten, or
brought to light again
There are political and economic les
sons in the confessed evolution OF the
hour and In the spirit which moves us
Washington q statue of Frederick the
Great. and America recently erected in
Lafayette Square a superb statue OF Maj
Gen. Baron Won Steuben. in recognition of
his great services in the war for Ameri-
can independence.
It detracts nothing from that great Ger
man-American's fame to add to what
was said at the un-
Baron Steuben's yelling OF the monu-
,r. ment namely: Baron
A1SSAVA. Won Steuben was not
sent to America by the German govern
ment. It is a part OF his history that he
was sent by the French minister OF war.
Count Saint German. America indeed is
directly indebted for the services OF the
illustrious German to that brilliant Pa
risian, Count Caron de Beaumarchais,
who, aside from his literary genius, as
manifested In the comedies OF lie Bar
bier de Seville" and "Le Marriage de
Figaro" combined an extraordinary mer-
camille spirit. He furnished arms and
munitions to the Americans In the trade
ships OF Hortalez ct Gle. and having made
large sums of money, he was enabled 10
send officers at his expense TO America.
II America has commenced new page
In her history 1t is just to remember that
It is largely due to the spirit or the
Women OF America. Among the many
associations which have labored to con-
etruct and conserve monuments are the
Daughters OF the American Revolution.
the Daughters OF the Revolution and kim
dred societies.
The Women OF America was an asso-
citation organized In 1890 In 1900. under
the presidency OF Mrs. Stephen =. Field.
wife OF the eminent associate justice OF
the Supreme Court. the association issued
an appeal to the public for aid to offer
to France a statue OF Washington. "a
souvenir which would recall to genera
tions present and future Americas graft
tude!"
AS a result an equestrian bronze
statue Of Washington was erected on the
Place d. Jena, Paris now Place de Wash
ington), the work OF the American sculp-
tor, Daniel G. French. and unveiled
July 8, 1900 the 1e5th anniversary OF
the day when Washington assumed COM
mand Of the American army at Cam
bridge. Speeches were made by the
American ambassador the American con-
sui general and NJ Delcasse minister OF
foreign affairs. The writer, delegated by
the Women OF America. to whom he paid
oration, concluded In their name: THE
Women OF America are happy and proud
to declare. Between France and America
there is no longer all ocean.
The next day, the Fourth of July. an
other monument was unveiled In Paris,
that Of Lafayette, monument erected by
the school children of America f3,O0OOO
children) in the Square du Carrousel"
The president OF the republic. NJ. Lou
bet. presided. and members Of the Lafay-
cite family were present. NJ. Loubet said:
This magnificent movement conse-
crates the traditional friendship and
union of two great nations
1.-THE spectacle OF these two republics
penetrated In this movement by the same
ments is no less an instruction than
,ete. When Lafayette crossed the ocean /
TO aid a people TO conquer their inde-
pendence he was not the plaything or a
heroic folly; he was serving a profound |
political object. for he went to found the /
of two great peoples upon the |
common cult Of Patria and Liberty"
The political situation Of the world is
attached 10 economical con- |
,iderations The efforts of the United /
States to extend its trade with the South |