The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-07-03

He says Washington spoke to me Of
M. De Lafayette with emotion; he
considers him as his child" Later,
Lafayette sent to Washington the key
to the destroyed Bastile, saying: 1T
Is tribute which owe as a son to my
adopted father, as an aid-de-camp to
my general. as a missionary Of liberty
to its patriarch"
French Eager in Libertys Cause.
The spirit of Lafayette was the
spirit of Rochambeau's army. A host
Of young French officers looked on the
expedition as crusade for liberty, and
crowded for places. Young Berthier
was a volunteer at Yorktown, and he
became a marshal of France. Viscount
De Noailles marched afoot the whole
756 miles from Newport to Yorktown.
Young Saint-Simon, Chosen, Chastel-
lux, brother of Mirabeau, q brother
Of Talleyrand, Barras, later Director
Barras, and many other enthusiasts
for liberty were in the expedition.
They understood Americans. Equality
was the particular American trait
which impressed them most. and this
idea was imported by them from
America into France.
Rcchambeau placed himself and his
army under the command of Washing
ton. The ragged Americans always
had the right of the line. In case of
equality of rank, the American officer
always took command. Not so much
as cabbage was taken without pay
ment. Before Yorktown the Ameri-
cans were not skilled in siege opera
lions. and Washington gratefully ac-
knowledged the service of the French
engineers. The French fleet closed the
river, and the surrender came. With
out that French help we tremble 10
think what might have happened
Fired Iafayette's Ardor.
Toward the close of the year 1776,
the duke of Cumberland, who was the
brother of King George III of England,
was travelling in France. and one day
he arrived at the town Of Metz, then a
French possession. A certain count De
Broglie, veteran of many battles,
was in command of the garrison, and,
to do honor TO his distinguished visitor.
he invited some of his officers TO meet
him at dinner. Now il happened that
the duke Of Cumberland was In dis
favor with his royal brother-he was,
In fact, In Punishment. He had lately
received news that certain of his
majesty's colonies in America had re-
Delled end declared themselves free,
declining to he subject any longer TO a
fyrannical king. Ii would seem that |
he duke of Cumberland told the story |
with some gustO, as If he were not al |
together sorry that his brother was in |
rouhle. One officer listened with par
icular attention. He was a youth of
nineteen. tall and thin, with a long
hose and reddish hair. His solemn eX-
preston and his somewhat awkward
manner contrasted strongly with the
frivolous ease and grace Of the other
'oung officers present. He was a. mar
luls Of long descent, connected by +
with one OF the greatest
antilles in France, and he had at his
'wn disposition very large income.
lie listened intently. he asked many
'ager questions, ana when he rose
rom the table he had made "A moment
us and historic resolution. He had
eso'ved to abandon the pleasures aud
uxuries OF the gayest court In the
World, even TO leave HIS young wife
nd child, and 10 east in his lot with
hese strange rebels in America. In
is own words, "When first l heard OF
american independence, my heart was
VS.