“‘Atlanta, Georgia, October 27, 1895.
“‘Mr. H. B. Plant, President.—Dear Sir: The love and confidence of associates, neighbors and friends are to be valued more than silver and gold. In this life the point set to bound one’s career ought to be the esteem of his fellow-men. For such an honor good men strive in all the protean forms of earthly contest. To gain this reward, to touch the dust-covered goal with a glowing chariot wheel, is worthy of the loftiest ambition. No human being can possess any greater glory than the estimation of the people among whom he lives.
“‘Acting upon the principle that labor conquers all things, and that time will bring its own rewards, you struck out for yourself into the great ocean of busy life around you and struggled heroically with its billows. You were strong and worthy, and your fellow-men were not slow in making the discovery. Your unbounded faith in the future of this marvellous section, coupled with your genius and intelligent direction, have advanced the several States into which your enterprises now extend into commanding positions of commercial superiority. Your ships have not drifted like dead sea-weeds upon the tops of sleepy waves, but, laden with the rich treasures of this and other climes, have travelled the wide seas over as a public benefaction. The mind of man cannot measure, nor can the tongue of man describe, the practical good your energies have accomplished. The Plant System, consisting of many thousands of miles of telegraph, express, railway, and steamship lines, founded by your genius, is a monument to your memory more lasting than brass and more enduring than marble.
“‘Concealing quick feelings under an appearance of reserve, you have never deemed it a weakness to give sway to the influence of loving and sympathetic emotions. Your benevolences, therefore, have made life beautiful to many people. Associated with you for so long a time, it is natural that we, the employees of the Plant Steamship Line, should feel a filial pride in the success of your varied and various undertakings. We are proud of the history you have made. We come to-day, therefore, to bring you our greetings, to manifest our love and admiration, and to express the hope that your useful and distinguished life may be spared many years to your country, family, and friends.
“‘As an evidence of our affection and respect, we herewith present you, as a fitting birthday gift, this compass, commonly used for directing and ascertaining the course of ships over a waste of waters. This compass is fitted with a magnetic needle which points ever to the north, enabling the tempest-tossed mariner to hold his way over the stormy sea when there is neither cape nor headland, sun, moon, nor stars, nor any mark in the heavens or on the earth to tell him when or where or how to steer.
“‘We pray that the star of destiny, like this mysterious needle, will ever guide and help you to keep an unfaltering step along the dangerous crags and treacherous precipices which beset the pathway of every man, and that your life may be long and useful “in the land that the Lord, thy God, giveth thee.”
“‘Truly yours,
“‘J. W. Fitzgerald.
“‘On behalf of the employees of the Plant Steamship Line.’
“The Southern Express men presented their president with a handsome marine glass.
“The following testimonial, read by T. W. Leary, Assistant General Manager of the Southern Express Company, which was organized by Mr. Plant in 1853, explains the sentiment conveyed with the gift: