Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-01-22
CUR DEBT TO FRANCE.


L
its crushed but murmuring people,
and Louis Sixteenth paid the penalty
of this heritage Of extravaganza and
oppression in an era of passion and
violence unparalleled in the Worlds
History.
Such was the background from
which Lafayette emerged at the age
of nineteen years to respond to the
cause of American Freedom.He con-
ceived an ideal of noble humanity,
and at the threshold of his life con-
secrated his efforts and his resources
to it's realization.
1t was at an officers dinner at
Metz given by the Comte De Broghl,
commandant of the garrison, in hon
or of the visit of the Duke of Glou-
cester. in the fail of 1776 that La
Favette formed the resolution of
volunteering in the cause of Free
dom in the New World across the At
lantic. The Duke had been banlshed
by his brother, King George Third,
for marrying the Countess Waldo
grave, and being disposed to criticize
the British policy, he related the
news of the uprising in America, the
evacuation. Of Boston, and the Dec
laration of Independence of the
American people. The officers who lis
tened were filled with the idea of
Free Government, which was at that
time the one absorbing topic in the
brilliant salons of Paris.
Freedom was to Lafayette the en-
bodiment of deep feelings which had
stirred him from childhood. The
knowledge of a struggling people
gained so casually, produced in his
mind feeling of unrest, and he went
to the Duke and privately declared
his intention of going to America to
fight in the cause.
This resolution was firm and ne
Immediately took steps to accomplish
it. He impaired it gradually to mem
bers of his family, all of whom
strongly opposed what seemed mere
bovish adventure. Madame De La
Fayette was at first heart broken at
the thought of his absence when their
second child would be born, and OF
the personal danger which he Aust
incur, but realizing the depth of his
purpose and being fully in sympathy
with his noble aims, she repressed
her sorrow, and encouraged him IN
his purpose. The one member of his
family who was implacable in his op-
position, was the Due D'Ayen, ms
fathersin-law, but this, while mat
ter of regret to Lafayette, was not
a Encouragement.
He sought out Silas Dean, 1he
American Representative at FariS'
and Baron De Kalb who was also de-
sirous in enlisting in the cause OIL
Freedom. The affair was progressing
favorably when it was interrupted by
an order from the King forbldding
Lafayette to depart.
About this time Benjamin FRANK,
lin arrived in Paris and entered upon
the career that was destined to &C
complish so much for his country
cause. Lafayette appealed to him
The forces under Washington nae
been recently defeated by Genera
Howe at Long Island, and this DIS
couraping news was given to La
Favette, only to increase his ardor
and the commissioners then devote
their efforts to getting him unde
way.
On the goth of April La Victor
sat sail from Los Passaje and VIII
oood luck after two months Vo!
see reached the coast of South Care
lima at Winyaw Bay. The goal OF n
ambition was at hand and no bette
description of LaFayette's enthus
asm can be given than these eXtrac
from his letters to his wife.
81 have arrived, my dearest low
in perfect health at the house OF
American officer; and, by the mo
fortunate chance in the world'
French vessel is on the polh' u %
ing; conceive how happy l am; l
going this evening to Charles'e
from whence I will write you.
shall now speak to you, my 10
about the country and its inhaDital
who are as agreeable as my enthu
asm had led me to imagine. Simpll
ty of manner, kindness of heart, l'
of country and of liberty, dellg
full state of equality are met "