Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-03
First of the Lafayette Dollars Pre-
sented to Loubet,
ADDRESS BY Mr.. R. ]. THOMPSON
French President Responds, ex-
pressing Friendship for America.
6 U EsTs AT LUNCHEON

PARIS, March 3.-Mr. Robert J. Thomp-
commission, special commissioner Of the
United States, representing President Nc
kinley. presented to President Loubet this
morning the first of the Lafayette dollars
which was inclosed in a casket which cost
$1,000. 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 ar
irving at the Elysee. at 11:45 am, they were
received by NJ. Melard subdirector OF the
protocol, and Captain Haguet of the French
navy, who was the officer on duty. The
Americans We're conducted TO the presi-
dents study where NJ. Loubet was awaiting
them. By his side were NJ. Decasse. the
minister of foreign affairs, and General
Bai.laud. the chief of the presidents milf
tary cabinet. Several members of the pres
ident military household were also pres
ent.
MIR. Thompson Introduced.
Gen. Porter introduced Mr.. Thompson to
President Loubet, and the presentation OF
the dollar was then made by Mr.. Thomp-
son in a few appropriate remarks. He said:
Mr.. President: In the name and on be
half of his excellency, the President of the
United States, have the distinguished hon
or of extending to you, the high representa-
tive of the people of France. salutations
and greetings of friendship.
''On the 18th of October, 1898, the ami
versary 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 10
contribute their pennies toward the cree
tiQn of the in Paris N "A pT
France, our great and Venerated ally. Gen.
Lafayette. The response of the children
was universal, the movement a splendid
success. In further aid and in honor Of
the work. an issue of j0.GD0 souvenir silver
dollars was appropriated and ordered struck
by Congress.
"Of these fifty thousand Lafayette dol
lars the first to issue from the mint
especially preSe rved for your cHcellency by
the President of the United States, and have
now the distinguished honor. air. President.
of presenting to you this coin, a simple and
sympathetic token. in his name ard for tht.
people of the United States.
An Emblem of Friendship.
Il voice the sentiments OF my country
men 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
anity and the unity of purpose of The Two
great republics CT the world"
In reply the president said he was deeply
touched by the kind thought OF Americas
President and people, and particularly by
the gracious manner in which the coin had
been presented to him by Mr.. Thompson.
He begged the latter to be the Interpreter
to the President of his Warmest thanks and
sentiments toward President Mckinley and
the American nation, which animated the
president and government of the French re-
public. NJ. Loubet added that he congratulate
ed himself on receiving this souvenir which
was fresh pledge of the reciprocal ties
of esteem and friendship which had 50
long united France and the United States
and which he hoped TO see draw closer and
stronger more and more.
President Loubet concluded with saving
that it was especially agreeable 10 him
that the mission was intruSted to Mr..
Thompson. in view of the intiatory part
which he took in the subscriptions of tno
school children of the United States 10
erect 4 monument to General Lafayette in
Paris.
The French president then invited GeneraIi
Porter and Mr. Thompson to stay to lunch I
con, at which Madam Loubet and NJ Del- !
caSSe were present.