The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-24
GREENE OF OLD BUTTONWOODS
AbOu, That Testimonial From Some Of
His Many Friends.

eran Citizens Historical Association In
this city the Hon. Henry Whitman
Greene, of Old Buttonwoods, was pre-
sented walking cane Of worth and
teluty. The cane has gold head, staff
style, and is variously and significantly
inscribed. Ii is beautiful stick and a
most useful article TO travel about with.
The gift was the tIibute OF members OF
the Veteran Citizens Association and
others TO the venerable Mr.. Greene,
whose hospitality and famous bakes
they had enjoyed at tho famous home
stead at Old .Buttonwoods, renowned
ever for hospitality, bakes, and "orchard
tea." The presentation address was
made by Ex-Governor John W. Davis and
tho tribute was a great surprise to MIR.
Greene. Indeed that fine old gentl man
was so overcome by the sentiment of
good feeling expressed on the occasion
that he was quite unable to find voice or
word to respond. subsequently ex-Gover-
nor Davis had his remarks carefully in
scribed ana the manuscript leaves peatly
put together and the other day Mr. Greene
received the sams by mail as further
certification OF the esteem in which he
is held by the donors of the staff.
Here is the address in full:
MIR. PRESIDENT AND FRIENDs-W hen
one has rounded the full measure OF three
score years OF well recollecIed life he
tnas himself inyoluntarily looking back
ward oftener than forward, and his mind
feeding upon retrospective rather
than prospective views, and naturally
so, for the reason that OF them he has
known, loved and respected, more have
passed on never to return than remain to
the present, or can be hoped for in the
future. Hence this society's Office Is to
perpetuate memories in which we honor
ourselves by hoporing those who have
proved worthy OF our emulation and re-
spcct, in life or death. Such an one among
the living we have with us today, a man
who has filled out the measure of more
than four score years OF worthy life, and
1t is eminently btting and proper that
we address ourselves TO him with a mark
of respect that he may know In person OF
the esteem and good will which we bear
him, and TO this end 1 am privileged to
call attention TO him by presentation
In behalf OF his many friends. The
briefest mention of his name Will bring
to mind in all OF us the virtues we seek
TO cele ebrate and | shall content myself,
therefore, in this presentation of token
by announcing its inscription, which is
as follows:
"Statf of Hon. Henry w. Greene, Farmer
and Grand Sycamore of Narragansett
shores, OLD Buttonwoods, Nasauket, War
wick, II. /. Presented by His Friends,
the Governors and Chief Sachems of the
state and Forest Tribes. In Testimony OF
Hospitaiities received at his doors, A. ID.
1s40-lS96.'
Upon the top of the staff we see en-
graved the grand initial 90" and around
IL in good bold Roman letters "ButtoD-
woods Beach Bakes," and the legend Will
read equally well and truly as Great But
tonwoods Beach Bakes-or Greene's
Bakes, Buttonwoods Beach. Nor is this
all we find engraved upon its sides. A
cross of the most ancient form cut in the
similitude of the great red cross of non
com batants betokeuing charity for all
upon earth--a ft emblem o 4 our friend
the Donee. and yet more--in its upper
right quarter we see star whose hye
points betoken ii one of the great con-
stellatIons transcribed from heaven upon
the banner of our nation in token CT that
God given independence unity and lib
erty OF our people of which our friend is
q good exemplar.
Again in the upper left quarter we see
an anchor, the symbol of hhode Islands
steadfastness in principle which our
friend has exempliied by his walk in life,
while upon the lower right and left
quarter are an arrow and crescent,
typifying individuality and perennial life
respectively, Characteristic OF that true
Rhode Island citizenship of which Henry
W. Greene is a marked type.
OF the staff itself allow me to say for
this occasion, Ii is an Olive branch, and
uxyt, hnli1na the amitU and which
always prevail within our friends broad
ana sheltering borders, for we all do
know, that within the shades OF
"Greene's Old Button woods, Wings and
Democrats, fierce Republicans, Prohi-
bitionists, and Populists bury all hatch
cts ana together eat the meats and drink
the sacraments OF peace as furnished
forth in the flesh OF the sea and wine
of the SIX los.
The head OF the staff is OF gold in
token Of the intrinsic worth of his char
acter and friendship, trusted, tested.
tried and true and the foot of the stan
not less typic than the head is shod
with chilled steel to betoken he staiwart
straight forward tread, and walF in life,
characteristic of our friend, who in all
his more than four score years OF travel
has never sought 10 cover his tracks, to
dlsruise his course. And follow him
where YOU may his footsteps lead
toward no questionable places, trespass
upon no forbidden grounds, and IL at
times perchai ce-""he path may wind
TO left, or rigEt, il always keeps the
door in sight typically that door
through which he and we must full
soon each for ourselves alone, the first,
and last time pass
Ana now my friend, we beg you
accept our freewil offering lean upon IL
use lit is stalWart, and you need not
be asbamvd OF /, for IL Is a gift OF true
friendship, and like yourself, ii is just
what. and only what il ssems to- be,
neither more nor less. And when the
time shall com that you no longer need
10 lean upon IL, bequeath II TO some KtDs-
man uf your House and thus generation,
hv generation, let it descoad gs an heir
loom OF one who lived in charity with all
men, worthily ani not in vain, an
honor to the famous family OF Greene.
Subscribed to tho copy Of the address are
the autograph signatures OF the donors,
a. follows: John ". Davis, Herbert W.
Iadd, NJ. Il. Davis. Frederic Dennison,
George n. Kingsbury, David Cady, Pardon
Al gtnue r. G. IIcIlrnan Thomas