The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-06-05

en-, in rare silks, a
reproduction of the face of the chief
executive of this country that would
almost appear to have been inspired.
so exact are the shades and general
likeness. The whole story, too, Is one
of the results of the presidents I'M
failing courtesy to all, the far-away
Syrian being one of two responsible
for the production.
Mansour Karam, a Syrian OF Buff
falo, N. Y, wrote to President Wilson,
In Trenton, last February, extending
his greetings for success in the White
House and pleading for photograph
of the man then about to come into
the White House. The photograph
was sent to him, together with an au-
tograph letter of thanks. Karam was
immensely pleased So were the other
Syrians in the Buffalo colony, and
they determined they would have the
presidents features woven into silk.
Karam wrote to the greatest master of
Oriental silk work and sent the picture
along. After six months of patient
The thread picture is about three
feet long and two feet wide, woven,
every fiber, every shade, in silk. The
actual picture, in the center, is OF
black, gray and other shades Of white,
every noted lineament of Mr.. Wilson's
features being brought out. The Dor
der is of gold and silver tints of the
richest silk, the lower sides, immedi-
ately around the picture itself, con-
tanning roses that look as real as If
they had been plucked from bush.
Karam started to Washington with
his offering. He wore his working
clothes and a miners cap of black,
cheap silk. He looked so unusual that
one of the White House policemen
held him up and made rigid inquiry
regarding his business in the White
House grounds. Karam speaks little
English, but slowly he made his mis-
sion known. He wanted to give the
picture of the president to Mr.. Will
son himself. The policeman conduct
ed him into the executive offices,
where inquiry was again made regard
ing the object of his visit One look
at the picture, however, gave him the
open sesame to the executive offices.
Humbly Karam handed in with the
picture a touching letter telling Of the
devoted esteem in which the Syrians
hold the president, and craving the
honor of shaking Mr.. Wilson's hand.
This privilege was granted and the
president himself expressed wonder
over the work of the obscure foreign
master, whose name had not even
been mentioned. Karam returned to
Buffalo pleased beyond measure at his
reception.
His letter to the president is as fol-
lows:
THE rare and gifted mind delights
In rare productions and devices. There
fore / presume to ask you to accept
this unique piece of handicraft-a mas
terpiece, in fact, Of oriental art.
I'm Zouk Michael, village about
fifteen miles distant from Beyrouth, In
Syria, there lives a man. probably the
only one in the world, who has devoted
his life to artistic trade weaving.
1.-The accompanying likeness of your
self, the beloved president of the Uni
ted States, is his latest production,
which will, I am sure, be appreciated
by your excellency, not only for its
own intrinsic value, but more for the
perfection of workmanship, and the
esteem of the people whom the donor
represents.
Although am conscious that no
gift could adequately express our APP
probation of your high Office and good
ness, nevertheless / ask you to accept
this token, which represents six
months of patient labor, and which is
an evidence OF devoted esteem from
perhaps one of the poorest Of your
people, the Syrians, who have taken
up their homes In the city of Buffalo.
N. Y.
my limited knowledge and humble
position would not permit my admis-
sion into the White House as an equal.
and vet / would venture to make. the
humble request that I might be al
lowed to meet your honor that could
In person present my own greeting
and that of the devoted Syrians of this
great city.
'If such a meeting we're granted let
me assure you 1t would be considered
an honor, never to be forgotten and a
privilege for which the gratitude OF
my people would be enduring.
81 will recall to your mind the per-
son who wrote to you in February last
and to whom wou had the kindness to
send your own picture, which has en-
couraged me to have the accompany
ing likeness made.
Accept, then, dear sir, this gift into
which are woven the admiration and
esteem of one who offers his loyalty