Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-19
Fling from French Admirers.

giveth unto us all, reward them bountl-
fully, and ever keep them from a like mis-
fortune.
Fling from French Admirers.
Another case claims our rapt attention.
Here is a big American flag. This flag is
made of the heaviest pure silk. 1t is woven
in one piece and was made and paid for by
the weavers of Lyons, France, subscriptions
coming from %, 900 persons. Why this token
from poor laboring men of a foreign coun-
try? 1t was presented to the people of the
United States as a durable expression of
their sympathy at the death of Abraham
Lincoln. Our emancipation was loved in
France as in our country and If the peoples
voice could be heard above the paid news
papers of France at the present day | am
sure the sentiment would be found as strong
for Cuba Libre" as when that beautiful
flag was sent in sympathy at the death of
Abraham Lincoln.
In the same case are some curious coins
used in different parts of the world. One
OF them. used in Siam, is the smallest coin
in the world ,outdoing the widows mite.
Among the medals presented to the United
States will be found one of intrinsic value
and great beauty. 1t is the medal designed
and presented to the United States by the
sultan of Turkey in ccmmemoration of the
ul5tONtIy vi Ailtittd. dih'o "A'Nh IL
surrounded by a wreath of diamonds. is cut
representing Columbus discovering land and
is considered by experts as a remarkably
fine piece Of work.
There are swords presented to the United
States by Japan and Siam, with beautiful
bright blades, such as, in the opera
"Mikado," is called his snickeresnee'-
swords of General Jackson, and ugly looking
knives called ''Krisis,' which were captured
from Malay pirates by United States war
ships. These villainous weapons were
dipped in poison and one has to be very
careful in handling them even now.
There is an interesting collection of proc
lamations by the different presidents, show
ing all their signatures, except w. ii. Har-
rison and Garfield; no prociamations were
issued by either of these presidents. The
first Thanksgiving proclamation ever issued
is among these. 1t was issued by Wash
ington from Philadelphia, January l, 1875.
setting Thursday, February w. 1882 as d
day of thanksgiving.
rare collection of autographs OF heads
OF foreign governments are a delight TO
connoisseurs. These are signed to letters ad-
dressed to the president of the United States
and among them will be found Napoleon l,
Robespeirre, Carnot. PARE, Louis XVI, who
gave aid to the United States in the revolu-
tion-Qt would do we'll If the French lead
orc would read over some of these letters
now and follow the sentimenD-Queen We
toria, Salisbury. William ], Bismarck
Ch%ilalonkorn. king of Siam. RanaValoma-
miaka. queen of Madagascar-(Oh, my, what
a iaw-breaking name to try to pronounce!
| wonder what her husbands pet name was
for herD
There is a characteristic letter from the
Il =. A~n. fhn t1nwprk
language used in correspondence and ever
in conversation by those people. If a mar
should write like that in this country the
rocinient of the letter would think he was
being ''guyed' most numerically. Just i'm
agipe being told that you are "one VINO
occupies an illustrious position and posses;
sublime glory and high qualities. One wh'
is chief of chiefs, the glory OF his con
tempories, the eXceller of those who arr
noble and famous, the pillar OF the state
the illustrious, the architect OF the edinc'
of glory and the strengthened OF the portic'
Of eminence, or distinguished and respected
friend" One would think this more thar
enough. but it proceeds for three NOR
paragraphs and then winds up with the gis
of the epistle-hOpes Mr.. Clevelands healtl
is good! and closes: Il have come to tn
good end" You will have to read it Il
appreciate IL.
Another evidence of Oriental niceness Il
the envelope which contained the letter from
the emperor of China to the president, con
yeyed hither and presented to him b!
Special Ambassador Ii Hung Chang. Thi
is a big piece of yellow silk, six feet b!
six feet. with five beautifully embroidered
round figures on it. each over twelve inches
in diameter. These figures are dragons an'
various other Chinese h~ieroglyphics, arr
filled in in colored silk, making a perfec
glow of gorgeousness, II one may be par
doned the ALTERATION. Again, II we looi
at the treaty between the United States ant
Japan we see this display. These are known
as exchange copies" Each country write
out its own treaty and they are exchanged
The American form is very simple. but tn
Japanese Is very elaborate. 1t is wrapped
around with yards Of beautiful red silk an
then encased in a handsome lacquer case.
There are several other exchange treatie
on exhibition, the strangest being a whale
tooth which was sent 10 the United State
as a treaty of peace by the king OF the FIJI
islands.
There are photographs OF United State
consulates in different parts of the worl
hanging in swinging cases that are easil!
NJ