Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-03-06
PRESENTED TO LOUBET.
French Cabinet Receives the La
Fayette Memorial Coin at
the Elysee Palace.

Paris, March 3.-Robert J. Thompson.
secretary OF the La Fayette monument
committee, as special commissioner of the
United States representing President Me
kinley and in his name presented to
President L0ubet this morning the first
of the Lafayette dollars, which was en-
closed in casket costing $1,000. The
presentation took place at the Elysee pal
ace 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 II: 40 a. H..
they were received by NJ. Mellard. sub
director of the protocol and Capt. Ha-
Suet Of the French navy. who was the
officer on duty. The Americans were
conducted to the Presidents study,
where NJ. LOubet was awaiting them
BY his side were NJ. Delcasse. the min
lister CT foreign affairs, and Gen. Bail
laud, the chief Of the Presidents mill
tary cabinet. Several members of the
Presidents military household were also
present.
The Presentation Speech.
Gen. Porter introduced Mr.. Thompson
to President Loubet and the presentation
OF the dollar was then made by Mr.
Thompson in few appropriate remarks.
He said:
Dir. President: In the name and on be-
half OF his excellency the President of the
United States, / have the distinguished hen
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 anniver-
Sary 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 son of
France our great ana venerated ally, Gen
La Fayette.
The response of the children was univer-
sal. the movement a splendid success In
further aid and in honor Of the work an
issue of $4,000 souvenir silver dollars was
appropriated and ordered struck by Con.
gress. Of these $4,000 La Fayette dollars the
first to issue from the mint was especially
preserved for your cXcellency by the Presi-
dent of the United States and | have now
the distinguished honor. Mr.. President. of
sympathetic token, in his name and for the
people Of the United States.
| voice the sentiments of my countrymen
when | express the hope that this menloria
dollar, stamped with the likeness of Wash
ington and La Fayette; may remain always,
as it is today an emblem u the anl-ty :...t!
the unity of purpose Of the NO great ~
publics Of the world.
Mr.. Loubet's Reply.
In reply the President said he was
deeply touched by the kind thought of
America PRESIDENT and people and par
ticularly 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
mis- warmest thanks and sentiments to-
wards President Mckinley and the
American nation, which animated the
President and government of the French
republic. NJ. Loubet added that he con-
graduated himself on receiving this SOU
yenir, which was a fresh pledge Of the
reciprocal ties of esteem and friendship
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 say
ing that it was especially agreeable to
him that the mission was entrusted to
Mr. Thompson in view of the initiatory
part which he took in the subscriptions
Of the school children of the United
States TO erect q monument to Gen.
La Fayette in Paris.
The French President then invited
Gen Porter and Mr.. Thompson to stay
to luncheon. at which Nine Loubet and
M. Delcasse were present.