Sacred to the memory of the BARON DE KALB, Knight of the royal order of Military Merit, Brigadier of the armies of France, and MAJOR GENERAL In the service of the United States of America. Having served with honor and reputation For three years, He gave a last and glorious proof of his attachment to the liberties of mankind And the cause of America, In the action near Camden in the State of South Carolina On the 16th of August 1780, Where, leading on the troops of the Maryland and Delaware lines Against superior numbers And animating them by his examples To deeds of valor, He was pierced with many wounds And on the nineteenth following expired In the 48th year of his age. THE CONGRESS Of the United States of America, In gratitude to his zeal, services and merit, Have erected this monument. GILBERT MOTTIER DE LA FAYETTE. Patriotism is one of the noblest attributes of man. It is the soul of freedom--the fulcrum of liberty--the lever of independence. It soars sublimely above self--is prompted by honest motives--aims at glorious ends. It is the motive power of philanthropy and would gladly consolidate the human family in one harmonious universal brotherhood by the heavenly law of love which can fraternize the world. It is opposed to all oppression--abhors all tyrants--rejoices in the promulgation of liberal principles. Its desires to do good are diffusive as the sun light--it is not confined to country--nation or caste. No sectarianism can swerve it--no monarch suppress it--no obstacle paralyze it. The patriot may be crushed in person by illegitimate power--the principle--_never_. Chains and dungeons will kindle it to a brighter flame--persecution will increase its volume. The history of all time proves the truth of these assertions--they form a corollary firm as the perpetual hills--incontrovertible as the problems of Euclid. The man who is destitute of this noble attribute is a mere automaton. There is a vacuum in his soul which nature abhors and all despise--except kings, aristocrats and demagogues. Patriotism is the dread incubus that hangs over thrones. The true patriot delights to see all basking in the refulgent rays of rational liberty and is ever ready to peril life and fortune in the cause of equal rights whenever the people of any nation rise in their native dignity to reclaim them from oppressors.