WELLS: Celebrating Lafayette – A Hero of Two Nations

Published 8:40 am Wednesday, March 19, 2025

In the annals of history, figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatmas Ghandi and William Lloyd Garrison are often discussed as champions of human rights.

This month, however, Georgia and Milledgeville celebrate another crusader for human rights; Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert de Motier de Lafayette.

Better known as the Marquis de Lafayette or Gen. Lafayette, he was born into French nobility in 1757, and his life was marked by a steadfast commitment to liberty and justice, transcending national boundaries and influencing revolutions on both sides of the Atlantic. Because of this, he is often heralded as a hero of two nations.

Lafayette’s journey as a champion of human rights began with his involvement in the American Revolution. At the tender age of 19, he defied his family’s wishes and sailed to America, driven by a fervent belief in the principles of freedom and equality. His contributions to the American cause were not merely military; they were deeply ideological. Lafayette’s loyal support of American independence was driven by his deeply held belief that fundamental rights endowed by the Creator should be afforded to all men, no matter their birthplace, color of their skin or station in life. These sentiments would soon be echoed in Jefferson’s initial drafts of the Declaration of Independence and later the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

His dedication to human rights was further exemplified by his close relationship with George Washington. Lafayette’s admiration for Washington was not just for his military prowess but for his vision of a nation built on democratic ideals. Lafayette’s influence extended beyond the battlefield; he was instrumental in advocating for the abolition of slavery, a cause he passionately supported throughout his life. His correspondence with Washington often included discussions on the moral imperative to end the inhumane practice of slavery, highlighting his commitment to universal human rights. Lafayette felt so passionate about the abolition of slavery, he once remarked, “I would never have drawn my sword in the cause of America if I could have conceived that thereby I was founding a land of slavery.”

Upon returning to France, Lafayette’s advocacy for human rights did not wane. He became a key figure in the French Revolution, championing the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. As a member of the National Assembly, Lafayette was a vocal proponent of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a seminal document that laid the groundwork for modern human rights. His efforts were not without risk; Lafayette’s unwavering stance often put him at odds with more radical elements of the revolution, yet he remained steadfast in his belief that true liberty could only be achieved through respect for human rights.

Lafayette’s commitment to human rights extended beyond his political endeavors. He was a founding member of the Society of the Friends of the Blacks, an organization dedicated to the abolition of slavery and the promotion of racial equality. His advocacy for the rights of enslaved people was a testament to his belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings, regardless of race or status.

On March 26, Milledgeville celebrates the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to Milledgeville in 1825. In that year, the citizens of Milledgeville and Baldwin County sponsored parties, hosted picnics, received him at church services and civic functions, and ended the event with a Grand Ball in the Old Capitol Building. For the 200th anniversary, the Baldwin County Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration Committee along with the American Friends of Lafayette will be hosting five local events on Wednesday, March 26 including an opening ceremony at GMC where the French Consulate in Atlanta will send an attaché, Delphine Jeroudi, to address citizens. In addition, Benevolent Lodge #3 will be holding a ceremony and showcase the actual chair in which Lafayette sat when he was here in 1825. The Nancy Hart Chapter of the DAR will host a luncheon for volunteers and sponsors by invitation only, and there will also be a poignant wreath-laying ceremony in Memory Hill Cemetery honoring Revolutionary War soldiers buried there. The day’s events will culminate in a Grand Reception at Rose Hill Mansion at Lockerly Arboretum where Lafayette will be honored and toasted by local officials, state officials, and leadership of the Georgia DAR and SAR.

Lafayette loved his visit to Milledgeville in 1825. The citizens made him feel at home and welcome, and it was all due, in part, to the work he had done to secure American independence. His name is associated with a number of cities and counties across the nation, including Fayetteville in metro-Atlanta and LaFayette in Walker County. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his visit, we should all acknowledge his contributions to humanity and its eternal struggle for equality and freedom.

—Dr. Jeff Wells is chairman of the Baldwin County Lafayette Centennial Celebration.