Evening star., 1909-06-06
TOKEN OF GOOD WILL
French Medal Is Presented to
San Francisco.
COMPLIMENT TO NATION
Friendship Of Republics Theme of
Ambassador Jusserand.
CONTEMPORARIES EARTHQUAKE
Gift Accepted by Mayor Of Restored
City in Presence Of a Dis
tinguished Gathering.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 5.-Citizens Of
two republics commemorated anew today
the reconstruction of a city practically
annihilated little over three years ago.
San Francisco received from the diplo-
matte representative of France q great
gold medal, conveying a sister republics
acknowledgment of a heroic achievement
when Jean Jules Jusserand, ambassador
OF the French republic. handed to Mayor
f. r. Taylor a splendid token of a ma
tion's appreciation. The enthusiasm of
the audience reached a high pitch when
the mayor, in response. paid a tribute to
the activities of Lafayette and other
French allies of the American revolution.
The presentation ceremony brought to-
sether one OF the most brilliant assem-
blles since the earthquake of April 1S.
1905. \ miniature forest Of living ferns
and palms encircled the stage at the Or
pheum Theater, where the presentation
took place.
Gathering Brilliant One.
Mayor Taylor presided. with the French
ambassador at his right hand and Gov
James ~. Gillett at his left At the am
bassador's right were consular repre-
sentatives from all over the world. Local
leaders Of French and American society,
eNquisitely attired. filled the boxes.
The ceremony closed with an informal
reception by Ambassador Jusserand and
an inspection of the medal.
The token bears on one side the en-
blematic figure of San Francisco arising
from tomb and casting aside a shroud
On the reverse side is an inscription in
French expressive of the admiration of
the French. people for great achieve
ment
Tonight Ambassador Jusserand was the
guest of honor at a brilliant banquet
given at the Fairmont Hotel by the mu-
nicipality.
M. Jusserand's Remarks.
In presenting the medal Ambassador
Jusserand said:
Accept this gift. Mr.. Mayor. and re-
ceive it you all, American citizens, in
token that what once was, still is; that
we French continue, as of old, to feel
with you in your moments Of happiness
or of anguish. and if 1 may be permitted
to appropriate the words of Mr.. Eihu
Root, let me say in my turn that we
have in France feeling for America;
and sentiment enduring among peo-
pie is a great and substantial fact to be
reckoned with Long live your city, and
may continuous prosperity be the lot of
the American nation"
In explaining the origin of the idea to
present the medal to the city. the am
bassador reviewed the continued intimacy
of the two nations "Since the early days
of American independence no great event
has happened in this country without
awakening a friendly echo in distant
France he said. He told of the many
expressions of regard. given by both
France and by America to the other,
finally coming down to the time three
years ago when the United States pre-
sented to France a medal commemora
tive of the way in which the European
nation received Franklin when he came
to tell the woes of the struggling thirteen
states. On the day of the presentation of
the medal detailed news of the disaster
that had befallen San Francisco was
lacking. NJ. Jusserand said that as he
rose to accept the medal the thought
flashed through his mind that the next
token of friendship between the two ma
tions might commemorate the resurrec-
ton.
When l had thus spoken. on the 10Th
of April, 1906, we knew but very i'm
perfectly in the east what was happening
In the west, but ! knew too we'll the
American temper to have any doubt as
TO what fight against adversely your
shores were then seeing, and as to what
resurrection they would see later The
past life of city. where pluck. energy.
fearlessness are more common than even
gold in her banks, supplied the decision.
All behaved as men and women of heart
and honor. The page written by the in
hapltants of San Francisco on the moving
ashes of their dead city is not one that
any wind will ever sWoop away"
One Copy Only Struck.
Mr.. Jusserand explained that the senti-
ments he expressed upon the presentation
OF the Franklin medal were so we'll in
accord with the French republic and San
Francisco had been so quickly resurrected
that a medal had been struck by his gov
eminent and he had been ordered to cross
the continent to present it.
This work, of which one single copy
in gold has been made" continued the
ambassador, lis destined to the Amer
lean people and the town of San Francis
co. One side emblematicalIy shows your
city rising from her tomb, and, powerful
and handsome as ever, throwing off her
shrOud, on the other side the figure of