Evening star., 1941-11-30


Senate, and . daughter. the Princess
Mathilde.
Perhaps 1t will bs agreed that the
Prince Of Wales, afterward King Edward
VII, King Of Great Britain and Ireland
and Emperor Of India, was more lavtshly
entertained here than any other royal
person before or since his time. Edward
VII. both as King and Prince, was very
much admired by his subjects. He was
fairly democratic In his ways. liked to
play baccarat-even II he did lose occa-
sionally-and was fond of gay company.
But whatever may have been his short
comings, he made England q good SOW
reign during the II years OF his reign
and his people sincerely regretted his
loss.
more recent visitor to Washington
who later became King was the Prince
OF Wales, who ascended the throne as
Edward VIII of England and, as the
Duke Of Windsor. was here with his
American born duchess last September
and again in October.
Extensively Entertained
But regardless of rank or station, un-
doubtedly the most respected and be-
loved foreigner to visit our shores and
come to our city was Gen. Lafayette, or,
more completely, Marie Joseph Paul Ives
Roch Gilbert du Motier La Fayette He
toured this country during the years
1924 and 1925 and was received wherever
he went with enthusiasm, reverence and
respect.
When he first came to this country
he was 20 years Of age. When he re-
turned the second time, In 1924. he was
an old man with but 10 more years TO
live. His career in France was every
bit as notable as 1t proved to be in our
country-ever fighting for the rights Of
the people, ever ready to partake Of the
bitter with the sweet for the sake of
humanity. No wonder Lafayette was
accorded a welcome here such as never
has been given any person since.
Eighteen hundred and twenty-four was
the last year of the administration of
President James Monroe, for he was to
retire on the following March T. He
was desirous Of having Lafayette visit
this country before his term expired and
had written the general several letters
upon the subject, the last Invita- ton being
OF such cordial and pressing character
that 1t could not easily be declined. Here
is the Presidents letter. in part:
washington City,
February "a, 1924.
MY Dear General:
Il wrote you letter about Is DAYS
since. by Mr.. Brown. in which I expressed
the wish to send to any port in France
you should point out frigate to convey
you hither in case you should be able to
visit the United States. Since then
Congress has passed a resolution on this
subject, in which the sincere attachment
Of the whole Nation to you is expressed.
whose ardent desire Is once more to see
you amongst them. = ="
Though accepting the invitation, La
send q frigate to convey him across the
Atlantic. preferring to come here at his
own expense.
Lafayette's First Visit
On July 13. 1924. he embarked at Havre
for this country in the American mer-
chant ship Cadmus, Capt Francis Allyn
commanding, accompanied by his only
son, George Washington Lafayette, and
his private secretary, Col. A. Levasseur.
The Cadmus reached New York on Au-
gust IS and on the following day he was
oficially received. From that time on
until he left our shores for France, he was
lavishly entertained everywhere he went
and he went everywhere.
At Baltimore Lafayette went first
ashore at Fort McHenry. where he was
soon taken to the tent used by Gen.
washington during the War Of the
American Revolution. Here he was pre-
sented by Gov. Stevens to the venerable
Col. Howard, president Of the Cincinnati
Of Maryland, who addressed him with
great emotion, saying:
General: The few of your brothers Of
Maryland who remain after lapse OF 40
years and the sons Of some Of those who
are now no more are assembled in the
tent of Washington to greet you on your
visit to the United States and to assure
YOU Of their affectionate and sincere re-
gard This tent will call to your recollec-
ton many interesting incidents which
occurred when you were associated IN
arms with Washington. the patriot or
soldier, the savior of his country, the
friend Of your youth. ."
In his reply Gen. Lafayette said:
"The pleasure to recognize my be-
loved companions in arms; the sound OF
names whose memory lie dear to me; this
meeting under the consecrated tent
where we 50 often have pressed around
our paternal commander in chief, excite
emotions which your sympathlzing
hearts will better feel than I can ex-
press"
On one side Of the tent was mounted
French cannon and On the other side