Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-01-06

rather than for worthy commendation.
10 fall short Of complete success was
to receive the unjust centure Of a fail
IRE. To make one serious error was
the signal to bury every honest effort
amidst the arrows Of public migrate
iulness. To me all wrong in principle,
but In fact the truth. This was one
phase of your position But thanks to
yourcredit, we are here tonight lust pre-
Yious to your departure, to congratulate
you upon the success which we feel has
attended your efforts i'm the capacity of
which have spoken, anl to commend
YOU for the ability in which you have
discharged every duty and the condi-
tion in which YOU will leave this popu-
lar house To your worthy successor.
wish further to extent to Won our
approval an thanks for the able,
thorough, efficient, and courteous
manner you have performed and full
illed the trust reposed in YOU upon
your acceptance of the position which
you have seen fit to resign
In extending to you this praise and
commendatiOn i'm this manner. we feel
as though we were only performing a
duty. which we. as among your patrons
at Alma. consider you entitled. and
which we believe the travelling public
share with us.
And now. while we are here to
congratulate you upon the success
which has attended your efforts
and to extend thanks to you for
the satisfaction it has given us mdivid-
ually and as a community. there is
another and equally important purpose
that brings us together. 1t is in recog-
milton Of yourlworth as IA citizen and
friend, and the regret which we wish
to express at your removal from among
us. 1t stands as self evident truth
that your business success while highly
gratifying. was not of itself sufficient
to call together this large and repre-
sentative body of citizens To do honor
to You on this occasion. Many a man
has been successful in a business sense
and still was never shown tribute
during his life. The atmosphere i'm
which he moved seemed cold and in
different one, and his departure never
softened an eye or called forth a regret.
1t is plainly seen then that this meet
ng was animated by a sense of good
fellowship 1t sprang from fountain
bubbling with good wishes and respect:
and when the idea was suggested. but
two short days ago. of doing honor to
you at this hour, it required no draft to
get recruits, it wanted no hands to
insure success, nothing to prevent or
disturb. 1t was only necessary to give
the order and with right about face
shoulder arms. march, the procession
was formed. the equipage was furnish
ed, and the funds were all in readiness
waiting for this hour. This is the spirit
OF good fellowship. 1t sprang forth
spontaneously from the heart and is
worth its weight in gold. We like the
man that is willing and always ready
upon notice to grant to every other in
diyidual every right one would claim
for himself. II one is deserving OF
honor, honor him. If ones efforts have
conduced TO your happiness, appreciate
IT. If his life is worthy of emulation, en-
body 1t with your own: if one has
granted you favor, some day let him
know you still remember it. Do this
and honor will be awarded where
honor is due. Do this and YOU will
plant rose which will some day send
its perfume to aid and encourage one on
the great highway along life's journey.
which, at the best is beset with difficult |
ties and dangers. 1t is al exem plifica-
tion OF these virtues that | see en-
bodied in the life and spirit of this
hour. 1t does, honor, not only to |
him who receives it. but to him who |
gives it, and we trust and believe. Mr.. |
Sperry, that you accept this honor in
the same generous and kindly spirit in
which it is rendered. Not for flattery.
not for show, not for amusement lal-
though a tue pleasure and amusement
it is but for real, substantial and de-
serving merit, which belongs to you
for the manner in which you have per-
formed your every duty and obligation
as a citizen and friend.
This work of respect for you, and 1
may say with equal propriety, no less
Tor your family, will not soon pass
nom Our memory; when the busy part
IF life has passed, when old and retired,
rejecting upon the many incidents
which came like a landscape with its