The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1920-02-26
MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES TO THE REL.
kTVES OF SKOWHEGAN SOLDIERS
Rev. J. [. A. Renaud Delivers Address Can't.
LeMeitour Makes Presentation

as a statesman and a ruler. His
foreign policy, says Daniel Webster,
in his admirable SKETCH was marked
by perfect impartiality, true dignity,
and a scrupuous sense of honor So
to have chosen this day above all 9TH
er days seems most fitting, did not
our boys in khaki battle for hat
which Washington stood for viz, hon
or, liberty and justice. AS with in
dividuals it's ought but natural that
there should exist among nations,
made up of social beings,
ties of friendship, specially so
when in the hour of need a SYM
pathetic and helping hand has been
rendered one. Hence it is not to be
wondered at, that apart from the
thought Of staying the mailed fist of
Prussianism which threatened our
free institutions and our Democracy,
and which might have brought about
the enslayement of nations that Amer
lea in the spirit of gratitude, should
have sent across the broad Atlantic
to the sunny shores of a sister Re-
public, the flower of her youth in full
accoutrement of war in the defense
of what we Americans cherish most.
viz, Liberty. Was it not at the court of
Catholic France that Benjamin Frank
lin found a sympathetic ear to his
plan for liberty and Independence,
at the time We began to throw off the
yoke of England, and obtained aid
in money, as we'll as valuable sup
plies from the royal arsenals. Wash
ington in the reorganization of his
shattered army of valiant men and pa
triots all in 1875 needed trained Of
ficers most of all. His soldiers were
fired with the one great spirit that
make, Tor bravery and courage and
success in arms Love of Country
and a desire for freedom from oppres-
sion, but more than that is required
for a successful campaign it is neces-
sary to have officers who are skilled
in the science of war and tried in the
crucible of experience.
What must have been Washington
feeling of satisfaction and encourage
ment, as he noticed at his side the i'm
mortal French Marquis de Lafayette.
the valiant Rochambeau and the in
trepd DeKalb, some of whom with
their own resources manned and e
quipped ships, and sailed for Ameri-
ca to offer their sword, without pay,
to the cause of independence. Their
efforts doubled the strength of the Co
lonial army and with the added
strength of the French fleet on the
open seas were, without doubt, the de
Gliding factor that made possible the
existence of America as a nation.
1T is bef1ting that today we
60 back in spirit some 142 years this
very day when Washington, the
undaunted in company with his
friend the Marquis walked
through the American camps at
Valley Forge cheering ard encour-
aging the half fed and half clad var
riors who waited patiently for the
spring offensive Lafayette we look
upon you as the personiiicat'o al
love and devotion to America, in her
darkest hour. Is it any wonder then
that when the first contingent OF
American soldiers set foot on the soil
of France to take part in the world
war, our own valiant commander Gen.
Pershing visited his grave and Said
"I.aFayette we are here" understood
we have come to battle for you ana
the God of Armies will give the We
tory. During the war between the
Blue and the Grey Frenchmen were
found fighting in both the armies OF
the north and the south, but Lincoln
found sympathy and diplomatic assls-
tance for the union, in the government
and people of France.
when in 1914 the world war DroKe
out, Americans in Paris did not walt
for America to declare war against
Germany, for on the day the French
army modified 900 Americans organ
lied the now famous American Am
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