The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-03-11

fighting?
Mrs. O'Scrap-No, yer amer; that
is not apply. Sketch
mand at 20! Again during the hard
ships and rigors of that miserable
winter at Valley Forge this wealthy
and noble young Frenchman set his
suffering men the most excellent ex-
ample Of devotion. frugality, self-de-
nial and courage under severest pri-
vation.
In October, ITS, he obtained
furlough to go to his home in France.
because of the death of his little girl.
All France welcomed the hero and
paragon, as he as hailed. The king
publicly forgave and congratulated
him; so while on the crest of popu-
larity with his fellow countrymen,
he urged and entreated the imme-
diate preparation of aid for America.
On April 2S, 1880, he returned to
Boston and hastily Joined the COM
mander-in-chief at Morristown, tell
ing the joyful news of the aid he had
secured.
Lafayette was ever active in the
struggle to protect Virginia and
finally took a prominent part in the
surrender at Yorktown. The young
hero had become the pride and boast
of the army. He had won the af-
fection of all. His counsels were
eagerly listened to by the oldest vet
Grams of the war and throughout the
long struggle with the greatest brav-
cry and unchanging fidelity he fought
for the cause of freedom. When at
length he returned to his native land
he was surrounded by a halo of glory
and was recognized as an apostle OF
liberty"
How we'll he deserved that title!
With many expressions of friendship
and appreciation from Washington,
who had been his most sincere and
devoted friend, he sailed for his home
in December, 1881.
Lafayette again visited America
for few months in 1884 and was
everywhere hailed with cheers of ad-
miration and delight. Then came
that long and dreadful period of hor-
ror, crime and death known as the
French revolution-the bloody reign
of terror-in which brave Lafayette,
of course, took part. He was eXlled,
imprisoned and made to suffer in
Vulnerable hardships.
On Sunday in July, 1924, a sim
gle ship sailed into the harbor of
New York and soon the news was
spread abroad that the Marquis de
Lafayette had come. The glad It'd
ings were carried from State to State.
while shouts rang throughout the
republic, Honor to Lafayette,
| "SlCOue W tIlO AoIloh SoS~'
Thus was widespread an universal
joy proclaimed. He had come to be-
| hold the independence and freedom
which he had so valiantly assisted in
achieving.
Wherever the name of Lafayette
was spoken, there too was added an
invocation for blessings upon his
head
Had it not been for Lafayette
American independence would not
have been so speedily secured. If
from his history we have learned
not only to revere the memory of
that noble Frenchman, but have
learned lessons of persistence, fideli-
tv and loyalty to truth and to honor
then indeed the life of Lafayette
was not spent in vain. May we ever
pay beautiful tribute to his memory
as not only friend of America but
as the benefactor of his race.
In May, 1884, Lafayette died and
the whole world mourned. lhe army
and the navy of the United States
paid to his memory the same honors
they had given to Washington.
The American congress went into
mourning for 80 days while America
vowed never to forget him-and
America never has.