The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-11
Presidential Presents and
Prevents.

The French Canadian young woman, re-
siding in Massachusetts,, who recently sent
to the President a beautifully handmade
American flag of expensive material,
which he declined to accept, did not know
that she had in the history of France a
memorable precedent for her wellinten-
toned patriotic act, but so it is. More
than one hundred years ago, to be pre-
else, in the early months of 1896, the
French Republic, turning to the United
States as its friend and ally, and solici-
tous to preserve the most friendly rela-
lions with it, voted in the National Con-
ventlon that flag should be specially
made and sent to our Government as a
mark OF its affection and esteem. Wash
lngton was then President, and the pre-
sentatlon was made to him by the French
Minister to this country. This first
PRESIDENT carried out the intention of the
donors by sending the flag to the House
OF Representatives, who ordered it to be
hung In their chamber side by side. with
the Stars and Stripes over the table of
the Speaker. AS a return Of the compli-
ment' Congress passed a series of resolu-
tons and sent the American flag to the
National Convention which was suspend
ed in their hall in the most distinguished
place OF honor James Monroe was then
our Minister to France, and this inter
change of courtesies between the two
republics gave that illustrious liberty
loving and monarchy hating American
the most entire satisfaction. Two years
before, the Republic of Geneva came into
existence. Notifying Monroe that it
placed the American flag side by side with
its own one in the legislative hall. the
man who was destined to be the fifth
President expressed his appreciation of
the act to the Geneva Government in
these words: THE standards ore repub-
lies should always be ranged together. and
I am perfectly satisfied that this event
viii be received with equal Joy by the
Government and citizens of the United
States" Well, it was by the great ma.
jority of the people, but the Govern
ment at the time was negotiating the cele-
brated Jay treaty with England which
had the effect Of cooling the ardor of
French, Genevan and every other class of
Republicans in Europe for the F'ederahst
administration which was then in con-
troll.
One OF the most interesting presents
ever received by a President was that
made by Lafayette to Westinghouse
key of the Bastile after its fall in 1889.
Exceedingly fitting was it that the man
who had won freedom and independence
for the new world should be the recipient
of the key of the most detested fortress
of feudalism in Europe, RACED to the
ground by the people whom the example
OF America hao given the courage and
example to revolt against the grinding
tyranny that oppressed them. The old
key, colossal in size, is still in evidence
at Mount Vernon, unless it has been re-
moved elsewhere in recent years The
first President does not appear to have
been offered many gifts by his admiring
countrymn. He was so austere that per-
haps the masses were deferred from TAX
ing liberties with him in that way 1t
may be, again, that he kept very still
about what he did receive, for few men
were more reticent as to their own affairs
than he was-in all that concerned himself.
His successor, Mr.. Adams, had little in his
personality to attract the multitude, so
that he, too, was not much thoubled by
the gift bearers. Nor, later on, was his
son, John Quincy, when elected to the
Chief Magistracy. Personal magnetism
has never been an attribute of the
Adanlses from the Revolution down to
our own day. Everybody loved Jefferson
personally, and when he, the great apostle
of liberty and tribune of the people, came
into power a great procession bearing
presents streamed through the Executive
Mansion. People of all classes desired to
testify to him the affection in which they
held him. But acceptance of gifts, except
the merest trifles, was not in his princi
pies, and he courteously declined to re-
ceive them. To an admirer who sent him
a valuable ivory staff as he called it, he
wrote: ''Mr. Granger has sent me the
very elegant ivory staff of which you
wished my acceptance. The motives of
your wish are honorable to me, and graft.
flying, as they evidence the appreciation
of my public conduct by a stranger who
has not viewed it through the partialities
of personal acquaintance. On coming into
public office, laid it down as a law OF
conduct, while I should continue in it,
to accept no present of any sensible pc
cuniary value. A pamphlet, new book
or an article of new curiosity, have pro-
duced no hesitation, because below suspl-
cion. But things of sensible value. how
ever innocently offered in the first ex-
ample. may grow at length into abuse,
for which l wish not to furnish prece-
dent Jefferson, however, did accept
one gift of some little value, a bust OF
Car Alexander. of Russia, whom at one
time he very greatly admired. But, what
ever presents Jefferson accepted he more
than balanced the account, for no Presl-
dent was more generous in his giving
than he was.