Evening star., 1934-05-21

of the United States, and Andrew
jackson was in the thick of the storm
The two old soldiers saw much of
each other during that long Winter
and, as member of the Senate,
Jackson took part in all the cere-
monies held in honor Of the French
patriot.
1t stands on the record of the day
that Lafayette was the only man
who ever was, in his personal capac-
ity, publicly received by the Senate of
the United States" The record shows
that they received him "as a brother,
rather than a stranger as one of a
loving family, come from a distant
shore, after long and weary absence,
to revisit the friends of his youth"
Senator Barbour of Virginia pre-
sented him. The President and the
Senators rose from their seats, un-
covered, and the general, advancing
toward the chair of the Senate, was
invited to take a seat prepared for
him on the right Of the chair. The
Senate then was adjourned, the while
the Senators focked about their guest
and gave him a warm hearted well
come.
House Extends Welcome.
1t was given to the House Of Rep
reSentatives to extend the welcome of
the Nation. Exactly such an assem-
bly, as this now before me met in the
Hall of Representatives, every branch
Of the Government fully in attend
ance. Henry Clay, the Speaker, in
expressing what was in the hearts of
the people, said, THE vain wish has
sometimes been INDUCED that Provi-
dence would allow the patriot, after
death, to return to his country, and
to contemplate the immediate changes
which had taken place" To Lafayette
had come, he said. the realization
Of the consoling object of that wish"
General, you are in the midst of
posterity"
mo, Mr.. Speaker" replied Lafay-
cite, ''posterity has not begun for me
since, in the sons of my companions
and friends, I find the same public
feelings in my behalf which I have
had the happiness to experience in
their fathers"
like to remember also the picture of
the visit of Gen. Lafayette to Gen.
jackson at the Hermitage When La
fayette landed at Nashville the people
stood far back and let Jackson go for
ward alone to greet him and to well
come him as his feet touched the
shore.
Soldiers Greet Patriot.
At the official welcome of the State
Of Tennessee a group Of revolutionary
soldiers. some 80 or 40 officers and men,
stepped forward to greet the old pa
triot. He saluted each of them with
animation and affection. Suddenly his
eye fell on one whom he had known
in France, who had come with him
to America and had been at his side
during the Revolution. This worn and
wearied old soldier had ridden 100
miles to see his old general, and when
they met they fell into each others
arms, kissed each other as only
Frenchmen can perform that act of de-
votion, and sobbed aloud.
The next day Jackson entertained
him at the Hermitage. The people
seemed to sense that history was being
made and left them much to them
selves. They talked about the French
and American Revolutions, and much
about Napoleon. Jackson took pride
in showing him over the house he
had built for his beloved wife. He
produced box of pistols. and opening
it, asked Lafayette If he knew whose
pistols they were. YES" said La
fayette, they are the ones I gave
to Gen. Washington in 1778, and" he
added, II feel real satisfaction in
finding them in the hands of q man
SO worthy of such a heritage"
Brings Sword to Show Congress.
Today I have brought to show to
the Congress of the United States an
other link between Lafayette and our
country-a sword which has never yet
been shown to the American people.
After the termination of the World
War and the reoccupation of Alsace
by the French, this sword was redis-
covered. Its history is this: Shortly
before the death of Washington his
old companions in arms-those gallant
Frenchmen who had taken part in our
w OIL Va Vic xSCNOAuOAOii W.
gether and had this sword made by
special order to be presented to their
former commander In chief.
Before the presentation could be
made, Washington died. and 1873 years
later, through the fine courtesy and
feeling of the present government Of
France, the sword was brought to
America by a distinguished descend
ant Of Gen. Lafayette and presented
to the present President of the United
States. This sword rests and will
rest for all time below the portrait
of President Washington in the White
House.
I like to associate Lafayette and
Jackson. Lafayette's last letter to
Jackson was an appeal for help from
the Congress for the family of q
brave Frenchman who had served in
our Revolutionary War. His last
thoughts were of Congress and Of
Jackson. He instructed his son to
send to Jackson, for transmittal to
the Congress, q copper plate on