Charles Edwin Bessey 131 



America and he was often called upon to throw the weight of 

 his influential arguments into congressional halls. 



Long chapters would be necessary to chronicle all of the 

 many interesting and significant incidents of his life and to record 

 the accomplishments of this great man with reference to our 

 national forestry policy and practice. But of course to you men, 

 as to all loyal U. of N. fellows who sat at his feet, he was 

 known best and was enjoyed most because of the more intimate 

 and specific labors which he performed within the narrow limits 

 of our own state and institution. How he preached and practiced 

 forestry at Nebraska long before 1903 (when the forestry de- 

 partment was established), how he was the guiding spirit in the 

 foundation of the department, and how he was the living spark 

 which guided our destiny, all these, I say, are facts of history, 

 not to be passed lightly and never to be forgotten, but this is 

 hardly the place and time to critically examine and record these 

 features in detail. 



To tell of his worth to us would be to grasp some magic 

 wand and write upon the pages of spirit history the complete 

 record of all of the ennobling impulses and aspirations which he 

 planted in our breasts. Many such impulses have become so 

 deep-seated and powerful as to defy expression or definition 

 through the medium of mere written or spoken words. We 

 should pause occasionally for a few moments in our mad rush, 

 shut out the cold and irresponsive world and allow the pure 

 white spirit of our departed master and guide to rule our passions. 

 If we do this we will be better men, better foresters and better 

 botanists. 



We who have known him intimately can never forget him, 

 but let us ever remember that his principles and his practices 

 were possessed of qualities far too rare in the every day world 

 of men. At this time we can only bow our heads and acknowl- 

 edge by our own silence the magnitude of his goodly influence 

 upon each and all of us. We were his boys! 



RAYMOND J. POOL. 



