“Among the other speakers were Colonel H. S. Haines, Colonel A. A. Wiley, of Alabama; Speaker Fleming, Major J. W. Thomas, of Nashville; Judge Falligant, of Savannah; Hon. Fleming du Bignon, of Savannah; Dr. Smyth, and several others. All of the speakers paid high tribute to Mr. Plant and his work for the South. He was eulogized in the language of highest praise, and declared to be a man worthy of all honors that could be bestowed upon a citizen. “Some of the speakers referred to the esteem in which Mr. Plant is held by his twelve thousand employees, and laid stress on that fact as being the best evidence of the noble character of the man, one who treated all men with justice, moderation, and kindness. Mr. Plant was made to feel that the welcome extended him was sincere, and he left the banquet table honored as perhaps no other man will be honored during the Exposition period. To him was shown the appreciation of the Exposition Company of his work, by setting aside a special day in his honor, something that will not be accorded to any other individual. “The banquet was one of the most elaborate of the season, and reflected credit on the committee in charge and Manager Dodge, of the Aragon, who supervised it in person.” * * * * * With the banquet at the Aragon, tendered to President Plant by the directors of the Exposition Company and the citizens of Atlanta, the festivities directly incident to “Plant System Day” were brought to a close. This history, however, would be incomplete without reference to the Southern Express Company, to which Mr. Plant has been pleased to allude as his “first love.” It numbers among its officers some of the men whom Mr. Plant had in mind when he said on Sunday morning, October 27th, “I see here present those who were with me in troublous times and bore with me the heat and burden of the fight,” and this may be considered a fitting place to give a brief history of the company as published in the _Constitution_ of October 29, 1895. From the Atlanta _Constitution_, Tuesday, October 29, 1895: