1915] 



ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION — BANQUET 25 



True, all the countries are not represented ; but we have the 

 right to say to ourselves that science and civilization stand 

 above all the conflicts of the day. Ultimately, the very nations 

 who are now engaged in this conflict will again have to unite 

 their hands to bear the standard of civilization jointly upon 

 the Continent ; and we have a right to say to-night that while 

 only a few countries are represented, from the standpoint of 

 science and civilization broadly speaking, the few representa- 

 tives are here to speak to us for all the civilized nations of the 

 world. 



The last speaker of the evening, Dr. George T. Moore, was called upon by the 

 Toastmaster aa follows: 



Mr. Shaw's will requires the Board to appoint a Director of 

 the Garden, who is to reside upon the Garden grounds. He is 

 virtually the executive of the board and the Garden Committee 

 so far as Garden matters pertain, and he might be compared 

 to the man behind the gun, as much of the success of the Gar- 

 den depends upon him. The Director is known to so many 

 of you, an introduction seems hardly necessary ; but for form 's 

 sake I take pleasure in introducing Dr. George T. Moore, Di- 

 rector of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 



DR. GEORGE T. MOORE 



It was my pleasant task on yesterday to welcome those who 

 honored us with their presence at the first formal exercises 

 celebrating the passing of a quarter century in the life of the 

 Missouri Botanical Garden. To-night has been delegated to 

 me the duty of closing what at least for the Garden has been 

 a most memorable festival, one which long will remain that 

 delight which, joined with memory and hope, constitutes a 

 perfect occasion. 



An after-dinner speech is sometimes regarded as a sort of 

 verbal culture medium for the propagation of words, and it is 

 remarkable with what rapidity those who confine their efforts 

 to media containing no solidifying substance can cloud an 

 otherwise clear situation. With the example set me to-night, 

 it behooves me to speak directly to the point and not spoil an 

 evening which thus far has been faultless. 



