Memoirs of General Lafayette Part 16

The whole scene was strongly marked by the moral sublime. This ceremony over, the grand review commenced. Lafayette stood near the arch, and the volunteer companies, and the U. S. troops pa.s.sed him in regular succession, with flags flying and music floating in the air. The troops then formed themselves again in line, and Lafayette on foot, pa.s.sed down the line. He was carried to the obelisk, situated on the spot where Vimionel had stormed the second redoubt.--The review over, and Lafayette having seen and been seen by all the troops, be mounted his barouche in company with the governor, and was followed by the other carriages. The whole body of military and citizens then moved to the field, near to which the British troops had grounded their arms in 1781. Between these, and the amphitheatre, where at least one thousand ladies sat, the barouche pa.s.sed on near to the ladies, who continued to wave their white handkerchiefs as he slowly moved on. "Ladies, receive my warm thanks for your kind welcome,"

was constantly upon his lips.

The whole scene defies description. Here were the fields, which forty-three years ago, had witnessed the tread of a conquered enemy! A thousand a.s.sociations of this description rushed upon the mind. Now, filled with an animated and joyous throng of from 10 to 15,000 persons. The spectacle surpa.s.sed all expectation; all expression.

When at the tomb of Was.h.i.+ngton, Mr. Custis addressed him as follows:--

"Last of the generals of the army of Independence! At this awful and impressive moment, when forgetting the splendour of a triumph greater than Roman consul ever had, you bend with reverence over the remains of Was.h.i.+ngton, the child of Mount Vernon presents you with this token, containing the hair of him, whom while living you loved, and to whose honored grave you now pay the manly and affecting tribute of a patriot's and a soldier's tear.

"The _ring_ has ever been an emblem of the union of hearts from the earliest ages of the world; and _this_ will unite the affections of all the Americans to the person and posterity of Lafayette, now and hereafter. And when your descendants of a distant day shall behold this valued relic, it will remind them of the heroic virtues of their ill.u.s.trious sire, who received it, not in the palaces of princes, or amid the pomp and vanities of life, but at the laurelled grave of Was.h.i.+ngton.

"Do you ask--Is this the Mausoleum befitting the ashes of a Marcus Aurelius, or the good Antonius? I tell you, that the father of his country lies buried in the hearts of his countrymen; and in those of the brave, the good, the free, of all ages and nations. Do you seek for the tablets, which are to convey his fame to immortality? They have long been written in the freedom and happiness of their country. These are the monumental trophies of Was.h.i.+ngton the great; and will endure when the proudest works of art have "dissolved and left not a wreck behind."

"Venerable man! will you never tire in the cause of freedom and human happiness? Is it not time that you should rest from your labours, and repose on the bosom of a country, which delights to love and honor you, and will teach her children's children to bless your name and memory? Surely, where liberty dwells, there must be the country of Lafayette.

"Our fathers witnessed the dawn of your glory, partook of its meridian splendour; and oh, let their children enjoy the benign radiance of your setting sun. And when it shall sink in the horizon of nature, here, here with pious duty, we will form your sepulcher; and, united in death as in life, by the side of the great chief you will rest in peace, till the last trump awakes the slumbering world, and call your virtues to their great reward.

"The joyous shouts of millions of freemen hailed your returning foot-print on our sands. The arms of millions are opened wide to take you to their grateful hearts, and the prayers of millions ascend to the throne of the Eternal, that the choicest blessings of heaven may cheer the latest days of Lafayette."

General Lafayette having received the ring, pressed it to his bosom, and replied--

"The feelings, which at this awful moment oppress my heart, do not leave the power of utterance I can only thank you, my dear Custis, for your precious gift. I pay a silent homage to the tomb of the greatest and best of men, my paternal friend."

General Lafayette was escorted to his quarters by the troops, and a sumptuous dinner provided for him, and the distinguished civil and military characters who were present on the occasion. The following morning, the officers of the volunteer companies present, prepared a military breakfast.

The table was spread in the tent of Was.h.i.+ngton, which was pitched at the volunteer's encampment. He left York Wednesday afternoon, and reached Williamsburg in the evening, where he was received with open arms by the citizens. Hence he proceeded to Norfolk, where he had been previously invited, and where great preparations were made to receive him according to his distinguished merit, and his highly important services to the country.

From Norfolk he was to proceed to Richmond; and thence farther south through North and South Carolina, to Georgia. Invitations have been given him to visit Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio; but it is probable he will decline them. For he intends returning to Was.h.i.+ngton in December, and to spend most of the winter season in that city. Early in the spring, he will probably visit the northern states again; and embark for France at Boston, some time in June or July.

There is a strong and very general desire that Lafayette should pa.s.s the remainder of his life in the United States; and that the national government should provide a respectable establishment for him and his family in this country. That the representatives of the people will be ready to grant an honorable stipend, there cannot be a doubt. But France is his native country and his home. There are his children and his grand children. There, it is natural, he should desire to pa.s.s his few remaining years. And such an intention, we believe, he has expressed. What will be his final resolution on the subject, we will not conjecture.

From the New-York Commercial Advertiser.

LAFAYETTE.

O deep was the gloom on our sad land descending, And wild was the moan from the tempest's dread form, While the heroes and sires of our country were bending Their souls to their G.o.d, and their brows to the storm.

Who bounds to the sh.o.r.e from the dark bosom'd ocean, In the sparkle and pride of his beauty and youth?

His ardent mind burning, his soul all devotion, To the high cause of liberty, justice and truth?

He joins the bold band, who, with spirits undaunted, Strive to guard and to win, all man's bosom holds dear; It is done! they have triumph'd! and heaven has granted Fair freedom to crown their majestic career.

How lovely the land where the bright sun is flinging The purple and gold from his throne in the west!

There millions of hearts in their gladness are singing, There finds the poor exile contentment and rest.

The eagle that rush'd on a torn, b.l.o.o.d.y pinion, And soar'd to the sky 'mid the clamors of light, Now wings his proud way in untroubled dominion, While the nations all silently gaze on his flight.

Who comes o'er the billow with head bent and h.o.a.ry, With full throbbing heart, and with glistening eye Past years roll before him--the scene of his glory Fills his heart with emotions, deep, solemn and high.

Great man! thy lov'd name to the skies is ascending, A name whose remembrance no time can destroy, While gladness and grief are within us contending, For all _thou_ hast suffer'd, and all _we_ enjoy.

We will rank thee with him, who was sent us by heaven; Ye shall meet in our hearts as in glory ye met: Spread, ye winds, the glad news! to our wishes is given The friend of our WAs.h.i.+NGTON, brave LAFAYETTE.

TO LAFAYETTE.

We'll search the earth, and search the sea, To cull a gallant wreath for thee; And every field for freedom fought, And every mountain-height, where aught Of liberty can yet be found, Shall be our blooming harvest-ground.

Laurels in garlands hang upon Thermopylae and Marathon;-- On Bannockburn the thistle grows;-- On Runnymead the wild rose blows;-- And on the banks of Boyne, its leaves Green Erin's shamrock wildly weaves.

In France, in sunny France, we'll get The Fleur-de-lys and mignonette From every consecrated spot, Where ties a martyr'd Huguenot;--.

And cull _even here_, from many a field, And many a rocky height, Bays, that our vales and mountains yield, Where men have met to fight For law, and liberty, and life, And died in freedom's holy strife.

Below Atlantic seas,--below The waves of Erie and Champlain, The sea-gra.s.s and the corals grow In rostral trophies round the slain; And we can add to form thy crown, Some branches worthy thy renown.

Long may the chaplet flourish bright, And borrow from the heavens its light!

As with a cloud that circles round A star, when other stars are set, With glory shall thy brow be bound, With glory shall thy head be crowned, With glory-starlike tinctured yet:-- For air, and earth, and, sky, and sea, Shall yield a glorious wreath to thee.