166 STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



Wednesday, December 5 — 7: iO p. m. 



The session was opened with music by the Arion quartette, after 

 which Mr. Nelson took the floor and in behalf of many members of 

 the Society presented Secretary Goodman with a beautiful silver serv- 

 ice. After a few remarks by the Secretary, Mr. Goodrich of Illinois* 

 Major Holsinger of Kansas and Mr. Morrill of Michigan congratulated 

 the Secretary upon this tribute to his efficiency. 



WORTHILY BESTOWED. 



A pleasing episode occurred Wednesday evening, upon which oc- 

 casion there was presented to Secretary L. A. Goodman a solid ster- 

 ling silver service, from his associates and friends in the Society. Th& 

 presentation was made by Treasurer A. Nelson, in a short address 

 which was impressively delivered, and which we have been permitted 

 to publish and present herewith. 



Secretary Goodman was taken wholly by surprise. President 

 Evans officially called the meeting to order at the appointed time, and 

 immediately the large audience had become quiet, Treasurer Nelsoa 

 came forward on the stage and announced that he had been requested 

 to present a matter not anticipated in the program, and, without inti- 

 mating its nature, proceeded with his able address. 



Just as Mr. Nelson's address was closing, the elegant silver tea. 

 set was borne to the front of the stage by Messrs. Bell and Robnett^ 

 amid prolonged cheers. Secretary Goodman was taken so wholly by 

 surprise that he seemed confused and almost dazed ; but the presenta- 

 tion ceremony had been planned with wonderful skill, for just at that 

 juncture, and without announcement, the glee club broke forth in a 

 spirited song. This gave Mr. Goodman time to collect his thoughts 

 somewhat, and gain some degree of composure, as, of course, it would 

 be expected that he would make a reply— which he did. 



If any doubts had been entertained as to whether he was aware of 

 what was coming, these were dispelled as he made his response. It 

 was entirely extempore, and fresh from the impulses of his heart. It 

 may not have been logically arranged, it certainly was not a studied 

 production, but it was eloquent — eloquent in the fullest meaning of the 

 word. Thought clothed in beautiful verbiage may not be eloquence. 

 Thought combined with sentiment, clothed with suitable words lit up 

 with a halo of emotion, all springing spontaneously from the human 

 heart — that reaches every auditor and strikes every chord in unison — 

 this is eloquence. Such was Secretary Goodman's response. 



