The sun., 1916-09-03
Nv WILLIAM D. GUTHRIE.
A member OF the Lafayette Anal.

,hs States with sentiments OF the
most unaltcrable gratitude" During
tho course Of our history since 1888
tho remembrance Of that feeling
o. gratitude has undoubtedly seemed
10 10 dim at times, but there are
many evidences OF It's full revival in
our own day. The hcroism and forth
,udo and tho misfortune and sacri-
fees Of the French people during the
past two years have rcawakened in
every section Of the United States,
East aud West. North and South, the
old feeling Of sympathy, affection and
gratitude. Even among "a citizens Of
German birth or descent We find warm
sympathy with France. unstinted ad-
miration Of her heroic spirit and con-
duct and full appreciation Of the his
,orlc ties which bind the hearts Of
Americans TO the French people.
Tho celebration Ivy Americans on
Wednesday. September s, OF the ami
,ersary Of the birth Of Lafayette Is in
deed singularly fitting and appropriate
and should be looked upon us "a pa
trio,ic duty. Among the generation Of
Frenchmen who helped us In gaining
our independence the Marquis de La
fayette will always be tho foremost
iigure as the very incarnation Of the
spirit Of pro-American sympathy and
enthusiasm that produced the treaty
Of alliance Of February ., ITS. and
made our ultimate triumph possible.
As he wrote to his wife from on
board Ia Nictoire on his way to Amer
lea, he regarded his coming military
service under Washington. what It
truly turned out to he, "a brevet Of
Immortality" and lie earned immortal
ny by heroism. soldierly zeal. upright
ness and loyalty OF the highest order.
and by winning not only the undying
admiration and affection Of Washing
ton but the universal and immutable
esteem and affection of the American
officers and soldiers with whom he
served.
In the past we have been charged by
some French writers with ingratitude.
As ingratitudo Is the most dishonorable
and objectionable Of all crimes, indi-
yldual or national. 1t is to be hoped at
an early day some competent historian
will take up and wholly refute this
charge. At any rate, l pray that 1t
shall not be rue Of this generation
Of Americans.
Such "A historian might e~loquently
point out the curious nemesis which
has followed the history of the French
on our continent. 1t Is "A very long
and complicated and extremely sad
story, each series Of splendid and
glorious exploits Of Frenchmen be-
ing followed by disaster and eclipse.
Everywhere on our continent there
are evidences OF heroic services by
Frenchmen-monuments. ideals. ira
dltions and institutions sprung from
French courage. genius and art: but
nowhere has France secured adequate
return or recognition; nowhere has
she reapcd material rewards from the
seed She sOwed. Consider French Can.
ada planted by the sacrifice OF her
children Of France and growing up
and prospecting under another flag.
Such a historian would also be able
70 explain the causes OF the mis-
understanding. irritation and friction
which unfortunately arose between
the Governments of the United States
and France, and which for more than
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