The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-03
GAVE HIM A DOLLAR.
First of Lafayette Issue Pre-
scented to LOubet.

Paris, March 3.-Mr. Robert J.
Thompson, secretary of the Lafayette
monument commission, as special COM
missioner of the United States, repre-
senting President Mckinley and in his
name presented to President Loubet
this morning the first of the Lafayette
dollars. which was enclosed in a. casket
costing 1000. The presentation took
place at the Elysee palace.
Mr.. Thompson, accompanied by the
United States ambassador, Gen. Horace
Porter, drove from the embassy to the
palace IN the ambassadors carriage. ON
arriving at the Elysee at IL 45 a. m,
they were received by NJ. Mellard, sub
director of the protocol and Captain
Haguet of the French navy who was
the officer on duty. The Americans
were conducted to the presidents cab
met (study) where M. Loubet was
awaiting them. By his side were M.
Delcasse, the minister of foreign at
fairs, and Gen. Bailleaud, the chief OF
the presidents military cabinet, several
members of the presidents military
household were also present.
Gen. Porter introduced Mr.. Thomp-
son to President LOubet and the presen-
tation of the dollar was then made by
Mr.. Thompson in few appropriate re-
marks. He said:
Mr.. President: In the name and on
behalf of his eXcellency, the president
of the United States, 1 have the dis
tinguished honor of extending to you,
the high representative of the people of
France, salutation and greetings of
friendship.
con the 18th of October 1898, the an
niversary of the victory of Yorktown of
the French and American arms in the
cause of liberty, the American school
youths were invited by the president
and governors of the several states of
the United States to contribute their
pennies toward the erection of the
monument in Paris to a son of France,
our great and Venerated ally, General
Lafayette. The response of the chill
dren was universal. the movement a
splendid success. In further aid and in
honor of the work, an issue of fifty
thousand souvenir silver dollars was
appropriated and ordered struck by
congress. OF these so 900 Lafayette dol
lars the first to issue from the mint
was especially preserved for your eX-
cellency by the president of the United
States and have now the distinguished
honor, Mr.. President of presenting to
you this coin, simple and sympathetic
token in his name and for the people OF
the United States.
L voice the sentiments of my coun-
trymen when 1 express the hope that
| this memorial dollar, stamped with the
| likeness of Washington and Lafayette
! may remain always as it is today an
| emblem of the amity and the unity OF
| purpose of the two great republics OF
| the world
In reply. the president said he was
deeply affected by the kind thought OF
| Americas president and people and
| particularly by the gracious manner in
| which the coin had been presented tC
him by Mr.. Thompson. He begged the
latter to be the interpreter to the presi-
dent of his warmest thanks and senti-
ments towards President Mckinley and
/ theAmerican nation which animated th5
/ president and government of the French
republic. NJ. Loubet added that he con-
I graduated himself on receiving this
souvenir, which was a fresh pledge oil
the reciprocal ties of esteem and friend
ship which had so long united France
and the United States and which he
hoped to see draw closer and stronger
| more and more.
President Loubet concluded with
saying that it was especially agreeable
to him that the mission was entrusted
to Mr. Thompson in view of the initia-
| tory part which he took in the subscrip-
| tions of the school children of the Uni
ted States to erect a monument to Gen
| Lafayette in Paris The French presi-
dent then invited Gen. Porter and Mr.
| Thompson to stay to luncheon, at which
Madame Loubet and NJ. Delcasse were
! present.