4368. LAFAYETTE (Marquis de), In peace and war.—
I joy, my friends, in your joy, inspired by the visit of this our ancient and
distinguished leader and benefactor. His deeds
in the War of Independence you have heard
and read. They are known to you and embalmed
in your memories and in the pages of
faithful history. His deeds in the peace which
followed that war, are perhaps not known to
you; but I can attest them. When I was stationed
in his country, for the purpose of cementing
its friendship with ours and of advancing
our mutual interests, this friend of both was
my most powerful auxiliary and advocate. He
made our cause his own, as in truth it was that
of his native country also. His influence and
connections there were great. All doors of all
departments were open to him at all times; to
me only formally and at appointed times. In
truth I only held the nail, he drove it. Honor
him, then, as your benefactor in peace as well
as in war.—
Speech at Charlottesville Dinner.
D. L. J.391.
(1824)
