382  Albert  Plant. — An  Appreciation.  {"['J?™' 
man,  shouldering  his  burdens  in  a  manly  way.  From  his  boyhood  to  the  day 
of  his  death,  his  ambitious,  restless  mind  was  constantly  planning  some  honora- 
ble method  to  mount  the  next  rung  on  the  ladder  of  success.  As  an  humble 
clerk  he  entered  the  firm  of  which  he  died  the  head.  From  a  comparatively 
modest  position  in  the  commercial  world  he  raised  it  to  a  position  of  acknowl- 
edged eminence,  and  he  himself  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  mer- 
chants of  this  great  community,  not  only  from  the  financial  standpoint,  but 
in  every  public  movement  which  aimed  to  improve  its  business  conditions  or  to 
protect  it  from  attack.  In  large  measure  his  success  was  due  to  his  untiring 
efforts,  his  wonderfully  keen  judgment  of  men  and  matters,  and,  above  all, 
to  his  indomitable  courage,  which  enabled  him  calmly  and  with  fortitude  to 
face  certan  defeat  without  cramping  or  paralyzing  his  will-power  or  his  energy. 
Never  was  this  quality  more  conspicuously  displayed  than  in  his  last,  his  final 
struggle.  Barely  ten  days  ago,  an  apparently  trivial  illness  assumed  a  danger- 
ous aspect.  His  alert  mind  promptly  recognized  that  he  was  standing  face  to 
face  with  the  Angel  of  Death,  and  that  he  was  entering  upon  that  conflict 
which  is  the  final  destiny  of  all  mankind.  He  sent  for  me,  and  as  I  stood  by 
his  bed  of  pain  he  held  out  his  hand  in  greeting  and,  in  a  calm  but  earnest  voice, 
he  exclaimed,  ( Moriturus  saluto  '  ('  Dying,  I  greet  you  ')•  He  then  proceeded 
with  an  unclouded  and  an  untroubled  mind  to  discuss  various  matters  in  most 
minute  detail.  He  dwelt  with  sincere  appreciation  upon  the  loyalty  of  a  large 
group  of  .his  old  employees  to  whose  efficiency  he  attributed  much  of  his  busi- 
ness success,  and  finally  acknowledged  his  debt  of  gratitude  to  his  old  em- 
ployer for  the  kindness  and  consideration  shown  to  him  at  the  beginning  of 
his  career.  How  many  men  under  such  circumstances  would  have  shown  such 
thoughtfulness  and  given  to  others  such  credit?  And  yet  his  ability  to  appre- 
ciate both  the  good  and  the  evil  that  resides  in  every  man  was  one  of  his 
characteristics.  Though  he  saw  blemishes,  he  also  saw  virtues  behind  them. 
Though  he  fully  recognized  the  faults  of  his  friends,  he  did  not  therefore  alto- 
gether condemn  them,  nor  did  it  diminish  his  esteem  of  them. 
"  Nor  was  he  himself  without  fault.  He  was  a  strong  man  and  he  had  all 
the  failings  of  his  strength.  He  delighted  in  the  glitter  and  glory  of  public 
honors;  yet  he  placed  honor  above  all  honors.  His  very  strength  made  him 
at  times  appear  quick  and  ruthless,  yet  none  more  than  he  regretted  the  pain 
he  inflicted,  for  he  was  large  of  heart  as  well  as  broad  of  mind. 
"  Taking  it  all  in  all,  his  life  was  a  happy  one.  He  enjoyed  progressive 
prosperity,  and  before  age  had  withered  his  faculties  or  dulled  his  sensibili- 
ties he  died  surrounded  by  a  loving  family  and  mourned  by  a  host  of  friends. 
Indeed,  he  realized  the  good  wishes  of  the  ancient  sage  who  wrote : 
"  '  The  hour  that  ushered  thee  to  life,  my  child, 
Saw  thee  in  tears  whilst  all  around  thee  smiled ; 
Oh,  may  the  hour  that  summons  thee  to  thy  eternal  sleep 
See  thee  in  smiles  whilst  all  around  thee  weep.'  " 
The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Merchants'  Association  of  New 
York  held  a  special  meeting  and  adopted  the  following  minutes : 
