The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-23
HONEST OLD LOUBET
How His Mother and Friends of His
Youth Regard Him.

Paris, April 22.-When the president of
the French republic, Emile Loubet. visited
his native town last week there was great
rejoicing. and the people felt highly hon
ored by the visit. There were probably
only two persons present who did not feel
that it was an honor to the town TO be
the birthplace Of the president. These two
were President Loubet himself and his
mother. To the mother of the president
the visit did not bring honor and glory;
it only brought to her a son of whom her
highest praise is: 81 am glad that Emile
looks like his father"
Nine Loubet, the mother of the French
president, is one of the most interesting
characters at present in France. The sour
rilous French journals which opposed the
election of NJ. Loubet, having no ground
on which to attack his character, have
resorted TO attacks upon his simple habits
IN these attacks one of the most promi-
nent figures is the peasant mother of the
president, whom these journals have cho-
sen to make a butt for their ridicule.
These attacks have been so many that lit
tie Of the true character Of this remarks
able woman is known. Nine. Loubet is Sc
years old but her steps are as firm and
her will as undaunted as they were in
her childhood
Mother wants to do everything herself.
but naturally a woman of her age cannot,
like a woman Of 20, keep her eye on every
thing" said the brotfler-in-law of the pres
ident, Frederic Denis, a wealthy iron
monger of Montelimar.
In appearance Nine. Loubet IS a typical
French peasant, her face sunburned and
Of the texture of parchment, her body
large and unwieldy. At a casual glance
there appears to be no difference between
her appearance and that of her neigh ors.
\ closer look, however, reveals that the
face of Nine. Loubet is the face of her son,
the president-older it is true. but in her
eyes there is the same shrewd look and
the same penetrating power that character
lied the young country lawyer. BY his
mother, as. indeed, by the rest of the fam
lily. the honor paid by the French people
10 Emile Lou0et is taken a. a matter of
course. She has become accustomed to
see her son honored; 10 her his rapid pro-
gress means separation from the son whom
she loves.
When reporter from one of the French
journals went to the Loubet homestead to
interview the presidents mother the first
question she asked, pointing to a picture on
the wall, was:
mo doubt you knew my husband?"
On the reporters reply that he knew
him, she resumed: He was a good, brave
man. In my Old age It gives me great
happiness to think that my son resem-
bles him
Then the memory OF the little child
whom she reared came hack to her and
after profound sigh she continued: 20.
I am well aware that shah no longer
see him. It IS Ike that in life. We bring
up our children, and when they grow up
they cease to occupy themselves with US"
The maternal instinct was stronger in
her than pride at being the mother Of the
president. Perhaps she was little unjust
when she declared that her children no
longer think OF her. When the president
returned to Montelimar, II IS said. he
rushed through the crowd on seeing a
peasant woman and taking her in his
arms kissed her
There il something in tbs home lie Of
the president Of the French republic that
appeals strongly 70 Americans. Many Of
the presidents Of the United States had
been farmer boys. and even after their
elevation 20 the presidency they we're a.
attentive 70 their mothers as the French
executive. To the American = seems a
personal Insult when 4 journal reproaches
man for the sole reason that he hap
pens 70 he the son % a peasant
Nine L0ubet has never understood why
her son IS thought u be a greater man
than MS father. who was at one time the
mayor OF Marsanne. Her husband and
herself had st-iven 70 educate bel. son 50
that he might become a LAWYER. and when
he became a lawyer x was then their fore
most thought % keep him honest. How
well they have succeeded - shown by the
fact that while he vas premier in. 1872 the
Panama Canal scandals occurred. and ne
was the only one in any way connected
with the government a. she time 10 come
out With an uusmirched name. His -ep1-
tation in France rests as much upan his
honesty a. on his ABILITY as LAWYER.
though the latter IS und.spu,ed. The
president has not become vain because
Of his new honor any more than has his
mother. and ne viii probably make II his
principal ambition q give the pA4,rle the
best administration possible