The Benson signal., 1918-06-29
AFAYETTE, we are here"


spoken as he stood at the tomb Of
Lafayette, French aristocrat by birth
but democrat at heart, who gave his
own services and fortune to the cause
of American independence and was in
strumental in bringing from France the
aid that turned the tide in favor of the
revolutionists.
Those Of the present generation who
are not familiar with early American
history are apt not to realize the mag
nitude Of the debt which the United
States owes to France and to the men,
ory Of the gallant Lafayette. In the
dark hours before the dawn Of free
dom for America, France poured forth
her men and money in quantities that
were in those days most impressive.
It is not generally remembered that
France furnished more troops than
America at the battle of Yorktown,
where final victory was won for the
struggling colonists. In that battle
there were engaged $500 militia un-
der Gen. Thomas Nelson, $500 CONT
nentals under Generals Washington,
Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton and
1000 French under Rochambeau, be-
sides the French fleet of nineteen ships
at anchor in the York, commanded by
De Grasse. Altogether, the total mil
itary, naval and transport service
which France sent to our aid in the
American revolution amounted to At
$50 men and 80 vessels Of war and
transports.
Gave Money as Well as Men.
France, moreover, advanced to the
depleted treasury Of the revolutionists
the equivalent Of $5O,OOOOO0, without
interest, loan or gift which she has
never claimed. Furthermore she
agreed, and adhered absolutely to the
compact, that she would ask no share
In such territory or booty as might be
was the more remarkable in view Of
the fact that England had but short
time before taken the richest Of French
possessions-the Dominion of Canada.
And it was almost wholly due to
Lafayette that this invaluable aid was
At the time Of the declaration Of in
dependence Of the United States,
Lafayette was only in his nineteenth
year. His life had been one of ease
and luxury. His family was among
the most eminent in France. He was
a nObleman with the title Of marquis.
He never had encountered those influ-
ences that usually lead people in the
fight for democracy. But, as If it were
a vision calling him Lafayette saw the
new spark Of liberty struck in the
West. The greatest fight Of the world
was being fought for the greatest ideal
in the world.
The youth Of nineteen realized this,
and in the fight he was determined to
take part. He made known his inten-
ton, but he was forbidden by royal
command to leave France. He escaped
to Spain, and from there aboard q YES
sci he had purchased himself sailed for
America. He landed in Charleston
and set forth Immediately to congress,
which was then in session at Phila-
delphia.
Congress at First Lukewarm.
His name and fame had preceded
him, yet such was the unsettled state
Of affairs that when Lafayette went to
Philadelphia congress was at first luke
warm concerning him. Some of the
members could not sense the zeal and
devotion Of man who had come 5000
miles to fight in cause not his own. !
There had been a contract signed in
Paris through which Lafayette was to
have the rank Of major general in the
American army. Even the wise Frank
lin, however, did not realize to the full
the worth Of Lafayette at this time,
for in letter of advice he speaks of
the distinguished rank and family Of
the young soldier and hints that on ac-
count of the fact that he had lovely
wife and had left such surroundings
at home that it would be well not to
place him in any danger unless there
should be some unusual emergency.
When the meaning Of the self-im-
posed mission Of Lafayette did dawn
upon our forefathers recognition soon
came. The rank of major general was
conferred and it proved no empty title.
Washington had gone to Philadelphia
to consult with congress, and he and
Lafayette, meeting for the first time
at a dinner, began that friendship as
proverbial as the affection between
David and Jonathan.
Lafayette was then not Of age, boy
ish in appearance, and had never stud
led English until he began his seven
weeks voyage across the Atlantic. His
zeal for liberty was such and there
was such fire in his eye and such de-