The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-10-09
PRESIDENTIAL MEDALS.

OF all the coins struck off by the mint there Is
only one, the so-called washington cent which
bears the likeness of n President of the United
States. or anything except Il device or design II
tended TO be e~mblematic With foreign nations 7
change of ruler generally results in a new set OF
coins. There are two reasons why We do not fol
low that precedent.
1t is foreign to our genius as 4 nation to imply
that a change at Washington involves SO much-we
prefer to believe that while our President governs
land in the fullest sense of the term he does not
rule: and it would require new coinage too fire.
quently. Every four or eight years would be tao
soon to see a new face On our coins, even if there
CHANGED TO be a new face in the White House. In
the case of the death of a President and the sue
cession of the Vice President, the change might have
to be made within less than a month, as would have
occurred when the elder Harrison died shortly after
the Inauguration and was succeeded by Tyler.
The efforts Of American n~umismatists, therefore.
would be limited in scope We're it not for a series
of medals. which are entirely unofficial and entirely
unlike anything which any other country can boast.
For they are due wholly 10 our peculiar political in
situations and TO our freedom in the management
of our public affairs. These are the presidential
campaign medals, or "campaigners.' as they are
called more briefly. The United States Government,
"a tDAAEN. Ia itA hO'iAhc W w WIN u AhNhhH
The series owes it's existence to the private enter
prise of individual diesinkers. who since the cam
paiCn of 1923. when Andrew Jackson defeated John
Quincy Adams for President. have struck off medals
which numerous supporters Of the various candi-
dates have bought and worn.
In the collection of the American Numismatic
and Archaeological Society of New York is a cabinet
of two thousand such medals. and 1t is one Of the
most valuable features in the ~society's inventory.
In next Sundays Republic Magazine Gustav Kobbe
will tell the public a number of interesting stories
associated with these medals. His article is album
dainty illustrated and forms a thoroughly attractive
feature.
How a little dissenting chapel in st. Petersburg
became the scene of a great function; how the Rus
sian Minister of Foreign Affairs for the only time
In his life spoke at the extraordinary spectacle of a
public meeting after the American fashion; how this
unusual event providentially became the instrument
of lifting a small and Insignificant religious body in !
TO the important agenc; of relief In the great Rus
sim famine-these are chapters of an experience at
the Russian capital which are well worth the read
ing. They are related in next Sundays Magazine
by Charles Emory Smith, formerly Postmaster Gen |
eral of the United States and former United States
Minister 70 Russia
A real detective story by a real detective is one
of the excellent items in next Sundays number.
Marvin Dana tells 4 "~corking' story of an old
mans love.
Olive Shipper Berry furnishes Il beautifully
illustrated article on the "Gargoyles of Notre
MY Dialogue With Dolly is the subject of a
snappy short story by Walter Pritchard Eaton.