The Bay State Monthly, Volume 1, issue 1 | Page 7

in Boston, and over one
hundred gentlemen participated, among whom were some of the most
distinguished persons in this and other States. Charles H.B. Breck, Esq.,
vice-president of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society presided, and
the venerable Reverend Dr. George W. Blagden invoked a blessing. Mr.
Breck addressed Mr. Wilder, who responded. Addresses were then
made by a number of Mr. Wilder's friends, among them the Honorable
Alexander H. Rice and the Honorable Nathaniel P. Banks,
ex-governors of Massachusetts, his Honor Oliver Ames,
lieutenant-governor of the State, his Honor Albert Palmer, mayor of
Boston, General Joshua L. Chamberlain, ex-governor of Maine, the
Honorable Frederick Smyth, ex-governor of New Hampshire, Professor
J.C. Greenough, president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College,
General Francis A. Walker, president of the Institute of Technology,

the Honorable Francis B. Hayes, president of the Horticultural Society,
the Reverend Edmund F. Slafter, corresponding secretary of the New
England Historic Genealogical Society, John E. Russell, secretary of
the State Board of Agriculture, and Major Ben: Perley Poore, secretary
of the United States Agricultural Society, and ex-commander of the
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Other societies with which
Mr. Wilder is connected were also represented, as the Massachusetts
Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, the New England
Agricultural Society, the New England Life Insurance Company, the
Hamilton Bank, the Home Savings Bank, the Grand Lodge of Masons,
and the Second Church of Dorchester. Letters were received from the
Honorable Robert C. Winthrop, president of the Massachusetts
Historical Society, his Excellency Benjamin F. Butler, governor, and
the Honorables John D. Long, William Claflin, and Thomas Talbot,
ex-governors of the State, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, the Honorable
Dr. George B. Loring, United States Commissioner of Agriculture, and
the Honorable Francis W. Bird, president of the Bird Club, The
addresses and letters are to be printed in full. A few extracts follow:
Dr. Holmes referred to Mr. Wilder as: "The venerable and venerated
friend who has outlived the fruits of fourscore seasons, and is still
ripening as if his life were all summer."
Mr. Winthrop wrote: "No other man has done so much for our fields
and gardens and orchards. He has distinguished himself in many other
lines of life, and his relations to the Legislature of Massachusetts and to
the Historic Genealogical Society will not soon be forgotten. But his
name will have its most enduring and most enviable association with
the flowers and fruits for whose culture he was foremost in striving,
both by precept and example. He deserves a grateful remembrance as
long as a fine pear is relished or a brilliant bouquet admired."
Governor Rice said: "There is hardly a public enterprise of the last
three generations, scarcely a pursuit in life, or an institution of
patriotism, discipline, or charity, that does not bear the signet of his
touch and feel the vigor of his co-operation. Why, sir, it may be said,
almost with literal truth, that the trees which this great arborist has

planted and cultivated and loved are not more numerous than the
evidences of his handiwork in all the useful and beneficent departments
of life; and all the flowers that shall grow to the end of time ought to
bear fragrance to his memory."
Mayor Palmer said: "Time would fail me to recount his great and
honorable services to society and the State. It must suffice to say that
no name of this century is written more imperishably in the affection
and esteem of Boston and Massachusetts than the name of him, our
honored guest."
Dr. Loring wrote: "It is with pride and satisfaction that the business
associations of the city of Boston can point to him as a representative
of that mercantile integrity which gives that city its distinguished
position among the great commercial centres of the world."
Governor Banks said: "I can scarcely enumerate, much less analyze, the
numerous and important social and national enterprises which make the
character and career of our distinguished guest illustrious."
Governor Chamberlain said: "We rejoice in this honored old age,--this
youth, rounded, beautified, and sweetened into supreme manhood; and
we rejoice also that it shall remain for after times an example and
inspiration for all who would live true lives, and win the honor that
comes here and hereafter to noble character."
President Greenough thus spoke:--"The line of buildings which to-day
at Amherst graces one of the fairest landscapes in New England, and
the sound and practical education which they were built to secure, are
to be a lasting monument to his foresight, his patriotism, and his
eloquent persuasion."
Mr. Russell said: "To him the agriculture of the Commonwealth owes a
debt that can never be paid; the records of our board are a monument of
his good works more enduring than brass. And, sir, in view of his
venerable years, so