Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-06

Philadelphia HOnOrs
Lafayette's Memory

Csatinaed from Psse One
last visit TO the United States. in 1895,
avowals OF friendship TO France which were
pregnant with Significance In the present
crisis were greeted with ringing cheers.
Ambassad Jusserand had arrived In
Philadelphia shortly after ! O'Clock and
was escorted TO Independence Hall through
crowds which cheered him all along the
way. Behind the automobile which con-
veyed him marched the blue-clad veterans
OF the Veteran Corps Of the First Regiment
and the khaki-clad youths OF the First Reg
iment. tho bayonets OF the regiment glitter
ing in an endless line.
OVATION FOR JCSsERANp
An ovation from the little grsup of
French people, perhaps 200 from the citys
French colony. greeted the gray-bearded
Amba ssador as he stepped upon the plat
form. draped Ia French and American flags
erected before the south front Of lndepeh-
dence Hall. Smiling. he leaned over the
railing and warmly grasped the hands of
pr. Ernest La Place and Professor Uiroud
OF the University OF Pennsylvania and Gil
rard College. who headed the delegate on
from the Alliance Francaise
Ambassador Jusserand spoke after sew
eral distinguished Philadelphisns has made
addresses, As he rose to his feet. the
crowd which numbered several thousand.
rose In respect. The deathless music of the
"Marseillaise" sounded. The soldiers, with
rifles held at attention" brought q sense
Of the battles in which Americans will soon
ne fighting side by side with French
Ambassador Jusserand's first words
brought n cheer
We are at IT, for good you and us :" he
said, and the crowd shouted. lie scOffed at
the German boast OF Der Tag" and
prophesled the coming of victory for other
banners. They day will come. and II Is
not so far as they think =" he challenged.
He spoke of Peale's portrait OF Lafayette
and found in the allegorical figures which
the artist painted in the background a new
significance. that of France and America
embracing each other in "a common purpose
to uphold liberty, Washington foresaw
a nation that would defend the right. with
out listening TO any order from above. from
emperor or any other man" he declared.
Lafayette came back to France full OF
honors, but that was not all. He brought
back with him ideals which we have ever
since tried to follow--and we are doing
better"
1t was inspiring TO think. said the Am
bassador. that today a flag which was the
gift of Philadelphia was being unfurled in
Paris. 1T does not carry the stars of all
your glorious States of today, but II is
the flag which Lafayette knew" he said.
"r represents a sentiment. Aud such
sentiment IL not an abstract thing---it is a
real force, which all the world must ac-
cept. II is a force which all the foes Of
liberty. and in particular the Central Powers
OF Europe. must learn to respect.
THE phrase which shows how nobly you
Americans responding to the call of
France in her need, repayng whatever debt
America may owe to France for Lafayette,
is that of General Pershing. Uppermost
IN my mind today are his words as he bent
his tall figure over the grave of Lafayette.
in. Paris. so soon after his arrival, and
said:
Lafayette, We are here :"
Ambassador Jusserand reached Phlladel.
phla at 80 o'clock this afternoon to par
ticipate in the celebration OF Lafayettes
birthday. iast-mnute change in plans
caused some slight confusion, as he de-
trained at West Philadelphia Station In
stead of Broad Street station, as expected.
The Ambassador came from Washington on
the New York express, which does not stop
at Broad street.
lie was met at the station by Colonel J.
Campbell Gilmore. Charles Weaver Bailey,
Victor Fonteneau. the French consul; G.
stuart Patterson and Mrs. Cornelius Steven
son The Ambassador and the reception
committee were escorted over Market street
to Broad Street Station by corps Of motor
cycle policemen. 5s#s.-r 4
There they were met by the Veteran
Corps OF the First Regiment, under acting
Commander Charles @. Sayre. Here the
parade to escort him to Independence Hall
formed. The Veteran Corps led the line
of march, and behind them in automobiles
were the Ambassador and the committee.
Two battalons Of the First Pennsylvania
Infantry, commanded by Colonel Millard D.
Brown. stood at attention as the Ambas-
sador and his escort passed As the head
of the column swung from South Penn
Square into Broad street the First. led by
their regimental band, fell in, competing
the escort.
Thousands of persons thronged Chestnut
waiting for a glimpse of the French
Amba ssador. As he passed lusty cheers
and waving French and American hags
filed the air.