Evening star., 1944-08-07
Urges La Fayette Stamp

To the Editor Of The Star
In view Of the successful invasion of
the Cherbourg Peninsula and progress
toward the liberation of France, vet
Grams of World War I interested in
phllately recommend a commemorative
stamp in honor of La Fayette.
At the time the English colonies pro-
claimed their independence, La Fayette
was 10 and captain of dragons. "At
the flrst news of the quarrel" the
Marquis wrote in his memoirs. my
heart was enrolled in it." Orders were
issued to seize the Victoire, a vessel he
was secretly fitting out at Bordeaux, and
La Fayette was placed under surveil-
lance. Subsequently, he escaped, en-
barked from Los PASSAGES, Spain, and
succeeded in evading two British
cruisers sent in pursuit.
After rough voyage across the At
lantic lasting 81 days, La Fayette landed
on the coast of South Carolina approxi-
mately SO miles from Charleston. The
journey overland was begun in car
rlages; but in few days after travelling
over corduroy roads and through
sWamps in sitting heat, the carriages
were broken in splinters. The party
then proceeded on horseback but the
horses either died or became lame. so
they trudged along the rest of the way
on foot.
When La Fayette arrived in Phila-
delphla, fatigued and worn, he was
ignored by the Continental Congress-
An honorary appointment as major gen.
eral later was given to him. His mill
tary ardor and bravery were demon
strated in his first battle at BRANDY
wine, and he was carried off the field
Wounoed Shortly thereafter, Gen.
washington placed him in command of
a division. Through the influence of
the Marquis at the French court, mill
tary and naval reinforcements were
sent, resulting in the ultimate victory at
yorktown in 1881.
La Fayette had to submit to the hor.
rors OF the French revolution 10 wears
after he returned to Europe. Internal
events moved swiftly and realizing that
the lives OF the King and Queen were
IN danger, he fought the Jacobin partv
on humanitarian grounds and attemnt.
ed to use the army to restore limited
monarchy. Accordingly, he was de-
clared TO be traitor and his property
was conf1scated. La Fayette took refuge
IN neutral territory in the vicinity of
Liege' out was captured and held a
prisoner OF state and remained in a
Prussian and later in an Austrian nrison
1or over five years. Napoleon. though
ne considered him as his chief political
adversary, stipulated for his release in
treaty negotiated during 1897
one OF the outstanding tributes tn
nim was written by President John
quincy Adams as follows: I'm the f7rma-
ment OF Heaven that rolls over our
heaos' there is, among the stars of first
magnitude, one so pre-eminent in splen.
oor' as, IN the opinion of astronomers
10 constitute a class by itself: so. in
tne l,4OO years of French MONARCHY
among the multitudes of great and
mighty men which it has evolved, the
name OF La Fayette stands unrivalled
IN the solitude of glory"
Durhag the American Legion conyen-
.ion IN france during September, 1927.
'he french government issued two COM
memorative stamps which contained
pronles OF Washington and La Fayette
AS the United States Government has
issued stamps in honor of Rochambeau,
ne Grasse, Won Steuben, Pulaski and
hosclusko, a commemorative stamp
should be issued in honor of La Fayette.
1t should be released on September 6,
the anniversary Of his birth. The design
could include the statue of La Fayette
In Washington showing him in the uni
form used during the American Revolu.
uo0. A. UMAND.