CALVIN PORTRAIT 
239 
to arouse mistrust. No doubt this modest attitude largely prepared the 
way for the soundness of his conclusions when finally reached. 
His modesty'was but a phase of that honesty which was his transcen¬ 
dent quality. He was not only honest in ordinary dealings, but he was 
honest with himself, and honest in his attitude toward the scientific 
problems which engrossed his attention. It is this phase of his character 
which I commend especially to those who are just entering upon a scien¬ 
tific career, for there is no other field in which open-minded honesty is 
more truly essential. 
May this beautiful gift assist in perpetuating the memory of our be¬ 
loved friend and colleague, and may the example of his noble life inspire 
us, and those who follow us, t9 an honest search for truth! 
Accepting the painting on part of the State, Curator Edgar R. 
Harlan, of the Historical Department, made the following brief 
but appropriate address: 
A function of the Historical Department of Iowa is to have at hand 
the facts and the materials which testify to the merits of Iowa men and 
events. Merit so proved, which remains permanently apparent through¬ 
out all time, is the object of all true effort of the scholarly and the 
inspiration of all, unless the selfish, of every calling. The selection and 
preservation of the proofs of merit and of attainment being the duty 
of the office I for the time occupy, it has been a constant, deep and firm 
satisfaction with which I have received the knowledge today and in 
other days of the great place arrived at by Samuel Calvin. The position 
led to by him, of the science, or branch of science, of which he was the 
chief Iowa ornament, as by your unanimous voice today I am advised, 
is a place respected through all the realm of scientific thought in America. 
Not many types of evidence bear more sure and satisfactory testimony 
to the character of a man than this well done portrait. Carlyle has 
taught us best of that. And this canvas done honestly, considered now 
by you finally, presented formally to your State, shall carry with it-to 
the place of its perpetual deposit, the stamp of your approval and thereby 
the indisputable claim of value as a work of history as it is a work of 
art. 
When a man has risen well up toward the ideal of life and its at¬ 
tainment, he is (become the symbol of his own day and a standard for 
succeeding generations. He is the exceptional man who in his early life 
sees clearly the lines within which he is to choose his work. He is a 
courageous character who discerns that these lines do not converge in 
some single aim and yet who contemplates their courses and their distance 
in his objective. Science deceives no follower through rainbows or 
vanishing points in life’s perspective. He is a blessing to mankind who 
early sees and boldly abandons all to the purpose of advancing across 
and beyond known confines into regions where the timid would, but dare 
not, go. He who thus advances blazes new paths in the wilderness. 
