“‘Resolved, That we, the members of the Commercial and Industrial Association of the City of Montgomery, Alabama, by unanimous rising vote, do most heartily congratulate Mr. Plant upon his continued health and prosperity upon this his birthday; that we convey to him by these resolutions tidings that his name and fame are dear to us and to all Alabamians.
“‘Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to Atlanta, Georgia, to be publicly read and presented to Mr. Plant on October 28, 1895.’ [Applause and cheers.]
“Colonel Hemphill:—‘I move these resolutions be adopted by a rising vote. All in favor of the resolutions will stand.’ All present responded.
“On behalf of the Savannah Board of Trade, Judge Robert Falligant spoke as follows:
“‘Mr. Chairman: I was spending with my family a season of quiet and rest amid the mountains of Georgia when we got news of this auspicious occasion. In former years I had the pleasure of serving under the great leader whose birthday we celebrate to-day, and I could not resist the temptation of being present and adding my voice to the universal acclaim, not only of Georgia, but of all Southern States. As I came in, these resolutions were presented to me to read and I was requested to make a few preliminary remarks. I really don’t know what I can say on this occasion so replete with force and eloquence, both in speech and resolutions, but my heart is impelled to say something in this magnificent presence. I feel that not only Georgia is here, but the entire South and the entire country. [Applause.]
“‘I am proud to see that Atlanta has touched the high-water mark of civilization in this illustrious display. I feel proud as a Georgian, and, as the representative of Savannah, I bid her godspeed in the magnificent tide of prosperity that awaits her. We have no envious feeling upon the coast, but trust that her future may be as limitless and as beautiful as the grand ocean that expands beyond her borders, the image of infinity.
“‘I say this is an occasion for patriotic emotions, and we should all unite in doing honor to the citizen who has devoted himself to the public good. Let us honor the man who plants his high purposes in his native land, who knows no South, no East, no West, no North, but is an American, heart and soul.’ [Great and continued applause and cheering.]
“Then the following was read:
“‘Atlanta, Georgia, October 28, 1895.
“‘Mr. H. B. Plant, Atlanta, Ga.—My dear Sir:—On behalf of the Savannah Board of Trade I congratulate you most heartily upon this auspicious occasion of your seventy-sixth birthday. You have, in the providence of infinite power, been permitted to dwell among your fellows beyond the allotted period of man, and it has also been your most favored privilege in that period to bring to completion undertakings of vast magnitude for the uplifting of the South especially, and for the whole country in general, which will stand a monument to your foresight, zeal and patriotic devotion to our common country long after the shaft or statues of marble or bronze have lost their significance as finger posts pointing to martial renown or the triumph of the forum. For your works, engraven upon the hearts of your generation with the stylus of commercial probity, will always be recalled with pleasant memory because free from the painful associations of sanguinary fields or the bitter words of fierce debates. May the mighty God, in His providence, as He spares you for the years to come, continue to bless you with bodily strength to pursue your active career of usefulness, until your eyes can look upon the full fruition of the great works in the interests of commerce, with which your name will ever be inseparably associated in fruitful memory through the multiplying cycles of time. With profound esteem, very truly and sincerely yours,