The Mankato free press., 1923-08-31
MASONS' PLAN TO
HONOR LAFAYETTE
Birthday Of Famous Frater
Will Be Observed
NEXT WEEK TIME
Young French NobIeman
Helped Colonists In Revo-
- lutionary War

In the glorious galaxy OF Free
masons-Washington, Revere, War
ren,. Benjamin Franklin, John Paul
Jones, John Marshall-tnas splen-
did constellation Of liberty Of the
brighter than Marquis Marie Paul
Roche de Lefayette. On Septembe,
6, the one hundred and sixty sixth
anniversary Of his birth, masonic
lodges throughout the nation are
paying tribute to his memory.
Lafayette's sympathy was with
the struggling colonists from the
outbreak Of the Revolution, and he
tried to induce the King Of France
TO organize and equip an expedition
to help the American colonies.
Failing in this the earnest young
aristocrat outfltted vessel at his
own expense and in 1777 reached
South Carolina with small body
Of men who also had offered their
services to the continental army.
Arrival In America
The young French nobleman ar
rived in America at the psychologi-
cal moment. A series Of military
reverses had depressed the dis
tressed colonies, and the personal
LOiluAco VI washington "cE0 81
low ebb. The nefarious intrigues OF
Gates and Conway and their fellow
conspirators had succeeded in cast
ing a shadow over the great repu-
tation Of Washington, and congress
was ready to fall victim to their
Vaccinations.
The arrival Of Lafayette and his
quick, whole hearted action in put
ting his sword at the service of
General Washington, not only
heartened the ennbattled colonists,
but served to reestablish Washing
ton in the confidence of the coun-
try.
kind Lafayette served the young
republic and in addition made gem
erous contributions from his private
fortune.
Wounded In Battle
He was wounded in the battle OF
Brandywine and returned to France
This time success attended his ef-
orts to win the active support OF
King Louis XVI. In 1850 he return
ed to America and remained Until
the close OF the Revolution. On be-
half OF Congress, Benjamin Frank
lin presented Lafayette with jew
elled sword.
The exact date or place OF the
initiation OF Lafayette as mason
are not known. 1t is a tradition OF
American freemasonry that he was
made mason in one Of the mill
tary lodges at MorTistwon, N. j.,
where a Festal Lodge was held
December 81, 1779, when It is
known George Washington was
present
Lafayette however was recogniz-
ed as a mason by Washington, and
upon his visit to the United States
in 1924 the grand lodge Of Penn
sylvania entertained him at a
s,imptuous banquet in Philadelphia
Lafayette's son, George Washington
Lafayette, and also a member Of
the fraternity, was present on this
Died In~Paris
In response to the speech of well
come Lafayette alluded to the ma
sonic brethern in Europe who were
suffering persecution, especially AT
the hands Of Ferdinand VII. and
declared the Masonic lodges
though dispersed, their members
still are masons, and though much
oppressed, their light has not been
extinGuished"
1884.
septemsr 6, this year, will be
generally observed in this country
as Lafayette Day. The principal
celebration will be held at Govern
ors Island where speeches will be
made by AMBASSADOR Jesserand,
General Pershing and others.