Denver labor bulletin., 1917-06-09

What France did for America in the
most critical days of our history Will
abide forever as one of the most gen.
erous and inspiring chapters IN the
annals of the world.
With a pen that had for months De-
come accustomed to picture the adVer,
sites and at times the threatened
bonelessness of the revolutionary
cause. Washington on April 9, l'ol'
"Jf France delays this timely. and
nowerful aid in the present critical
posture of our affairs, it will avail us
nothing should she attempt 1t mere
after. We cannot transport provls-
ions from the farms to the troops Pc
cause we cannot pay teamsters VINO
will no longer work for ceTtinca.es..
sour troops are approaching fast 10
nakedness. Our hospitals are without
medicine and our sick without meat ex-
cent such as well men eat. All our
nublic works are at standstlll ana
the artificers are disbanding. In
word we are at the end of our tetner
and now or never our deliverance must
come"
These were the words that rang in
the ears of John Laurens, Sllas Dean
and BENJAMIN Franklin whom WASH.
ington had sent to plead for money at
the court of France.
How France responded the world TOO
we'll knows to require detailing mere.
Suffice it to say we did not plead IN
vain. e,Eo of
American money to buy bushel OF
corn and $4,000 of American money to
purchase single suit of clothes,
France poured out of her treasure
house $50 ,OOO, 900 into the lap OF SUI
fering and starving America.
She furnished US with two dollars
for every man, woman and chlld IN
France and accepted security so pre-
carious that the world smiled IN de-
rision. an,
dollar of interest and presented US
several million dollars besides, And
that at a time when million looked
like billion today.
Furthermore, to aid us in our strug-
ole. France expended from $4OO,O ,Ooo,--
900 to 100000 in the equipment
and conduct of her army and navy
actually engaged in fighting our cause
Think of it, my countrvmen! When
our Young republic seemed to be max
ing a quick and certain journey from
the cradle to her grave; when WASH
inpton saw the dreams of the ages
about to be shattered and his newly
born nation facing the very shadow OF
the valley of death, the colors. OF
France were seen above the horizon
and her gallant ships and 48,O00 OF
her more gallant sons under DE Tier
nav, De Gross, Rochambeau and La
fayette marched and sailed and fought
as brothers in blood for the triumph
of the worlds last and noblest expert
ment in government.
When CORVALLIS surrendered at
Yorktown there were lined up in bat
tie beside the $500 regular American
troops, 1000 gallant fighting sons OF
France.
What they immortalized by. their
deeds that day the Continental con
gress commemorated in October, l18l,
by providing for the erection of that
monument to French and American
soldiers, whose marble outlines cast
their sacred shadows over the waters
where the French fleet under DeGrass
and the French troops under Rocham-
beau lowered the colors of England
and raised the never fading banner of
the American republic.
It is that same France that we be-
hold today in her agony and her glory
II is that same France whose home is
invaded, whose liberty is threatened
and whose very life hangs in the bal
ance. 1t is that same France where
the peaceful dreams of happy and
contented people have been shattered
by shot and shell that spell sacrifice
and suffering by day and a nightmare
Of blood wien the stars look down