STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 107 



two ladies who prepared it. It is certainly a piece of beautiful 

 workmanship. The beauty of the flowers is enhanced by the art 

 of the ladies. Again I thank the ladies in the name of the 

 Society, and accept it for the Society. 

 Mrs. Lamonte then read the following paper: 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



In presenting the following argument in support of the "com- 

 bination" as the national floral emblem, I am filled with diffi- 

 dence, born of a knowledge of my inability to properly present 

 such proofs as I have : 



Yet trusting you will accredit me with a desire to do my duty 

 in the matter, I will, with your attention, proceed to outline the 

 argument. For the sake of convenience we may divide it into 

 two parts : 



1st. Why the floral emblem should not be a single flower. 



2nd. Why it should be a combination. 



1st. Why it should not be a single flower. What law compels us 

 to have a single flower for a national emblem? AVhence comes 

 the idea of a single flower? Does it spring from American 

 patriotism; or is it in emulation of the old world example? If 

 so, would it not be well to caution our people as to its advocacy? 



The old world is fathering too many ideas noAv, which are 

 being copied by our people, and in designating the character of 

 our national emblem, let us be purely American and as free from 

 the trammels of European sentiment, as were our forefathers a 

 century ago. To those who would copy from Europe, let me 

 put this question: When something over a century ago, Otis, 

 and Patrick Henry were electrifying the people of the colonies 

 with their passionate eloquence, in favor of revolt, — there was 

 born an idea, Patriotism. 



Was it borrowed from Europe? Later, when the British were 

 driven from our shores, and we formed the idea of having a 

 Republic, did we model after Europe? Did we go to Europe 

 for our flag? and let me ask, is the "bald headed eagle" a 

 native of the old world? Does any state in Europe or Asia 

 have such a motto as E Pluribus Unum? Ah, no! the senti- 

 ment is foreign to monarchial governments. It is American, of 

 American soil, and American inspiration. And shall we, at this 

 late day, declare our poverty of idea, prove so recreant to our 

 American thought as to urge as our floral emblem a single 

 flower, because other nations have so adopted? 



Why, the single flowers of European states are symbols of 

 hate, superstition, blood, tyranny, and many of the baser passions 

 which are incompatible with American ideas and thought. Eng- 

 land's rose, born of hate and baptised with blood, tells of a fra- 

 tricidal war; the sacred lily of the Chinese unfolds to us the 



