The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-06
TRIBUTE OF FRANCE
TO San FRANCISCO
ambassador Jusserand Pre-
sents Great Gold Medal as
Token Of Honor.
COMMEMORATIVE OF CITY'S
RISE FROM HER ASHES
Elaborate and Impressive Cere-
monies Attended by Brilliant
Throng of NOtables.

SAN FRANCISCO. June 5.-Citizens
of two republics commcmorated anew
today the reconstruction of city prac-
tically annihilated little over three
years ago, and San Francisco received
from the diplomatic representative of
France great gold medal bearing
sister republic S acknowledgment Of q
heroic achievement.
When Jean Jules Jusserand, embassa-
dog of the French republic, handed to
Mayor Z. r. Taylor the splendid token
of nation s appreciation, the enthusi-
asm Of the multitude reached a high
pitch and was increased when the may
or in response paid tribute to the ac-
tivities of Lafayette and other French
allies of the American revolution. The
presentation ceremony brought out one
OF the most brilliant assemblages since
the earthquake of April is, 1906. a
miniature forest of living ferns and
palms encircled tine stage at the Or
phcum theater, where the presentation
took place. Mayor TAYLOR presided,
with the French ambassador at his right
hand and Governor James \. Gillett at
his left.
The World Represented.
At the ambassador s right were CON
sular representatives from all over the
world. Local leaders of French and
American society. eXqusitcly attired,
filled the boxes. The ceremony closed
with an informal reception by Embas
sador Jusserand, and an inspection of
the medal
The token bears on one side the EN-.
blematic figure Of San Francisco arising
from 81 tomb and casting aside shroud.
French. expressive OF the admiration
Of the French people for oa great
achievement, Tonight Embassador
,usserand was the guest Of honor at
brilliant banquet given at the Fair
mont hotel by the municipality.
The beautiful playhouse, recently
completed on the site of the old thea
ter which mad bceu destroyed by the
great FIRE, was thrown open 10 the pub
lie at 10 O'Clock, and when, a half
hour later the strains of tho overture
from Robcspcirre died away aud NJ.
lusserand was introduced, the house was
crowded with city officials and we'll
known citizens. There was Il large rep
resentation from the French colony and
the boxes were filed with leaders in
social and official circles.
That the feeling of thc representa-
tive of the republic of Europe for her
sister republic in the west was rccipro-
Gated hy the citizens of San Francisco
was evidenced by the applause that
greeted the ambassador S closing re-
marks this morning.
Apprcciative Tribute.
Q Accept the gift, Mr.. Mayor he
said, Eand receive it. all you Ameri-
can 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. II | may be permitted to appro-
pirate the words of Elihu Root. let me
say in my turn that we have IN France
a feeling for America, and a sentiment
enduring among people is great and
Long live your city, and may continu-
Gus prosperity be the lot of the Ameri-
can nation .
In explaining the origin Of the idea
10 present the medal TO the city the
ambassador reviewed the continued IN
tmacy of the two nations, finally com.
ing down TO the time three years ago
when the United States presented to
France a medal commemorative OF the
way in which the European nation re-
ecived 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 bad befallen San Francisco was
lacking JusseraDd said that as he rose
10 accept the medal, the thought flashed
through his mind that the next token
of friendship between the two nation.
might comm emorate the resurrection Of
the city.