The evening of the 21st of February, 1870, had arrived; a free exhibition of the power and beauty of my system was in progress in the great tent, when, most unexpectedly to myself, Elmer Ruan Coates, Esq., a well-known citizen and poet of Philadelphia, entered the ring. This seeming intrusion on the business of the evening somewhat surprised me, while, as I turned towards him, every eye in the vast assembly was fixed on the well-known poet who, cane in hand, advanced towards me. A brief moment of suspense ensued, during which the question which ran through every mind was “what does it mean?” Then, amidst the profound silence which prevailed, Mr. Coates held up to view the magnificent, gold-headed cane he carried and, in an eloquent address, presented the elaborately-chased and beautiful testimonial as a memento given by my Philadelphia class.
The gratification which I experienced in this unexpected compliment may be conceived by my readers but can scarcely be described by my pen.
Mr. Coates began his address by saying that
All nations, in all ages, have delighted to honor the meritorious. The analytic mind of Greece was promoted to the Academy and Groves of that classic land while bright intellects gave their homage as they gathered the gems of thought and poesy which enriched their varied lore.
The school-boy-quoted Roman, if a victor, passed under the triumphal arch, bowing to popular plaudits. If a poet, he was laureated; if philosophic, oratoric, or mechanical, he had his meed of honor from proper sources. Even the Tartars were grateful, and Tamerlane, the great Usbeck, was elevated in proportion to merit.
The American Indian who exhibits military strategy, is chosen chief pro merito, and leads the painted warriors. The highly-cultured United States never forgets the truly great. Here the statesmen, poet, orator, lawyer, divine, artist, man of science or mechanism, is both courted and remunerated. Our worthy dead live in hearts, monuments, statues, statuettes, and oil. The living, acting man of the day is recipient of both newspaper glory and material recognition.
Taking me by the hand, he continued:
My friend, a full consideration of gratitude has timely and most heartily determined your large class to offer this El-Dorado-headed cane. Sir, we recognize you as the greatest equestrian educator in the world. Your humble servant is proud of his recent acquisition. You have enabled the palsied old man to ride in safety; you allow the old lady to drive minus the fear of a broken neck; the young lady or horse-loving master can now indulge saddle pleasures, knowing the animal thoroughly subdued by some member of your class.
Every vicious trait a horse can possess is thoroughly cured by your unequaled skill. You are a practicalist, a utilitarian, an educator in one of the most necessary and recreative branches of polite culture. Indeed, a logical lawyer could raise a fine issue relative to the comparative merits of your skill and that of the statesman. Disparaging no sphere, I would say that the live, practical, successful man in any avocation, is the person we need and the individual we will honor.