Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-23
RichInond's lllustrious Guest

M ARSHAL FERDINAND FOCH il Rich
lVl monds guest today. During
crowded twelve hours this city will endeavor
to give outward expression to the honor. tho
love and the gratitude that lie IN its heart
OF hearts for this greatest OF modern gen
erals who, as commander-n-chiefo Of all tho
allied armies in the world war, led the way
TO final victory over Germany and all the
forces of evil which followed in the wake
of its doubeheaded eagle. Such manifes-
tations of n city's esteem necessarily must
be feeble, though they embrace all the ponip
and pageantry and spontaneous enthusiasm
that loyal citizenry can muster for tho
Interpretation OF its Utmost feelings. yet the
marshal will not fail to understand. Weary
ar he must be with the pressure of constant
entertainments and still facing n program
Of journeyng. sightseeing and banquetng
that might we'll daunt far younger man,
he will feel the thrill OF his reception here
In the warm heart of the Old South and as
he lays his tribute of flowers at the base Of
the monument to Lee, no will, we are sure,
sense tightening OF the bonds which unto
his beloved France to this Old South. where
thousands OF his compatriots have been
sleeping these hundred years. and whose
sons have followed the flags and fought with
both in Liberty's sacred cause
No guest from abroad In many years. if
ever, has 80 appealed to the popular imagi-
nation as this famous son OF France who to-
day will honor Richmond with his presence
a true patriot. a mighty warrior, he is the
outstanding. unrivaled figure OF the great
war 1t was his strategy, his genius, his
theory OF war that in the end prevailed
over the highly organized brute force of
autocracy, which had all but crushed down
the armies of civilization, and brought the
cataclysmic conflict to triumphant close
Tor the allied and associated nations What
ever may be his final place in history his
name will always he found in that galaxy of
military geniuSeS which includes Napoleon
Hannibal. Caesar and others of imperish-
able luster. Those who arc granted the op-
portunity of looking upon the features OF
the marshal in Richmond today will recall
it as treasured boom even as we have
heard the oft-repeated tales from the lips
OF parents and grandparents how once It
was granted to them to look upon Wash
ington, Il Lincoln or Lee
Yet it is not altogether rs the master
warrior that we will look npon Marshal
| Foch today. He is, aside from all that n
man among mon, a modest, unassuming
FRENCH gentleman. whose Christian char
acter, even while he was leading his hosts
IN war. was IN inspiration and guide to
the American boys who were sent to France
""eh riecuoiu CIlou 1Or AID. He has come
now. at what must be tremendous sacrifice
TO his personal comfort and out of his love
LOT America. to be the guest of the Amer
ican Legion and by his physical presence to
lay his tribute of thankfulness at the feet OF
America for what it did for France
So, i'll honoring Marshal Foch today. we
will be honoring not only the worlds most
Industrious soldier, but we will be honoring
ana testltying to our undated affection for
the republic from which he comes And
we Will he honoring as we'll our own Amer
ican boys who fOught-and many thousands
oil whom died--under the commingled folds
OF the Tri-Color and the Stars and Stripes.
NO wonder then, that Richmond, stirred TO
the hearts core by the remembrance that
Inc Marquis de Lafayette commanding an
American army, defended il from attack in
the Revolutionary War. and inspired by the
Thought that thousands Of his gallant
frenchmen now sleep at Yorktown in the
Old Dominion--men who died that America
might be free-is prepared for a demon
stration today that will live forever in the
|. memories of those who have share in II.
and that II hopes to make the marshal's visi,
mere one that he will single out during his
remaining years-God grant that thew no
many--among all the brilliant entertain
mcnts that so numcrously dot his American
| pilgrimage.
| ----------------