Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06

BY ISABEL LIKENS GATES.
TINE Hath anniversary of the birth
of the Marquis de Lafayette is
being observed throughout the
L country today, the Nation pay
ing homage to the French hero
who rendered such exceptional service
to young America during the War of
the Revolution.
Lafayette was scarcely 10 when he
came to America and entered the Revo-
lutionary Army. No greater lover of
liberty ever lived and he was willing to
sacrifice all in the name of freedom. He
came to America, leaving a 17-year-old
wife and young baby, and offered his
services. His reception was a cool one.
He appealed to Congress as follows, in
part:
After the sacrifices I have made, I
have to insist upon two favors Cd to
serve at my own cost, 90 to begin my
services as volunteer"
The petition to Congress resulted in
the following resolution:
Whereas, the Marquis de Lafayette,
out of his own great zeal to the cause
of liberty. in which the United States
are engaged, has left his family and
connections, and at his own expense
came over to offer his services to the
United States without pension or par
ticular allowance. and is anxious to risk
his life in our cause:
Resolved, his services be accepted,
and that in consideration of his zeal,
his illustrious family connections, he
have the rank commission of major gen.
eral in the Army of the United States"
Tribute to Washington.
Shortly after this appointment he met
Gen. Washington at a dinner party and
years afterward he told that he recog-
nized the commander in chief by the
majesty of his face and figure and by
his high-bred and kindly manner"
To the young man, scarcely more than
boy. Washington took an immediate
fancy. He drew him aside and praised
him for his devotion to the cause Of
liberty and for the noble spirit shown
and the sacrifices made. and bade him
look upon his headquarters as his home
and to consider himself member OF
his family. The friendship thus begun
continued throughout their lives.
Lafayette was wounded at the battle
of Brandywine. He had shed his blood
for America and henceforth and forever
his place was established in the hearts
of her people He was known in the
ARMY as the friend of the soldier and
was beloved by all. He created for him
self a place of kind unequaled in his
tory
The browning glory of his efforts was
the part he played in the surrender of
CORVALLIS at Yorktown. On September
%, 1881, Washington advanced to
within 2 miles of Yorktown. On Oc-
tober IL his troops were within 300
yards Of the doomed fort. Two project
ing redoubts were to be carried on the
14th. Lafayette with his men, Alex
ander Hamilton among them, was to
assault one of them. They charged
with bayonets, overcame the defenders
and made them prisoners. CORVALLIS
surrendered on the 18th.
AS soon as possible thereafter Wash
ington, accompanied by Lafayette.
FASTENED to Fredericksburg to bear the
news of the surrender to his mother.
Adds to His Cory.
From the heights of fame in this
country Lafayette returned to France,
there to add to his glory for a time.
But the vicissitudes of war and a
changing regime cast him into prison
and brought dire misfortune upon him.
While incarcerated he wrote to Nine.
dHunn:
Il admit, my dear princess, I am
given over to the most violent of pas
sions-liberty-that had had my pray
ers, that has so tossed all my life, and
is here the perpetual subject of my
solitary meditation. 1t is what one of
my friends calls my holy madness, and
whether miracle shall deliver me from
this place, or whether I mount the
scaffold, liberty, equality, shall be my
first and last word"
He regained his liberty, lived in Sc
clusion at La Grange for a while with
his family, his flowers and his chickens.
Again he answered to his country's
call and. according to Burras, a master
politician, he did much toward pre-
serving France from Napoleon's greater
dictatorship.
In 1924, when the great soldier was
81 years old. honor and love and praise
were shoWered upon him, not only in
his beloved France, but by the Western
Republic. The people of the United
States had long wished to show their
appreciation. Lafayette longed to visit
the United States, but his imprisonment
his wife's poor health and his poverty
and other obstacles stood in the way
Then came the invitation from this
country, through President Monroe, to
be the guest OF a grateful Nation
which cherished and appreciated it's
valiant defender
President Monroe placed a frigate at
his disposal, but not wishing to put the
country to such extra expense, the ia
vor of the frigate was declined. After
a months voyage Lafayette made tri-
umphant entry into New York harbor.
Thousands gathered to bid him well
come. The Lafayette Guards led the
procession from the Battery to the
City Hall, The general, with his son.
followed in barouche drawn by four
white horses.
Carriage Trip to Boston.
From New York in a carriage with
relays of horscs-four to the carriage
ne went to Boston. Thousands greeted
him all the way with shouting and re-
joicing, ringing of bells and firing of
cannon. Boston's welcome rivaled New
York's. He visited New Hampshire. then
stopped at Lexington, Worcester and
Hartford before returning to New York,
A reception was given him at Castle
Garden which, according to the news
papers, was the most magnificent fete
ever given under cover in the New
World" He came to Baltimore visited
Fort McHenry, then went on to Wash
ington and paid homage at the grave
OF his commander at Mount Vernon:
visited President Monroe at the White
House, Jefferson at Monticello, Madison
at Montpelier
After visiting North and South Caro-
lima he visited in the West At last his
wrtA ID a.