I doubt not these people uttered the true sentiments of their deep feeling when they said as they bade him good-bye: “Mr. Plant, you have done us all a great deal of good, we shall never forget you for this visit you have made us. It will be a pleasant memory to us always, and if you and your friends have enjoyed your visit half as much as we have enjoyed having you, then is our happiness increased a hundred fold.” Never have we witnessed anything more beautiful and tenderly impressive than the kindly interest which Mr. Plant’s visit called out among these people. His every want was anticipated, luncheons, rare and delicious, were carefully stored away on boat and train and brought out at the right time. After sail or ride in train and carriage in this most appetizing atmosphere had made the party hungry as prairie wolves, then a sumptuous repast was served and enjoyed to the full. Rooms, and rest and care in hotel, cars, or boats were provided with a skill and tact that made one think of the Plant System. Honesty is the foundation and keystone of every noble character. It is the quality that must pervade the whole nature. Nothing can take its place or atone for its absence, nor can there be a perfect manhood where it is not the warp and woof of the whole man. “Honesty is the best policy” says the policy man, but he who is honest only from policy and not from principle, is not an honest man, but a knave, if not a fool as well. Genius, scholarship, wit, humor, brilliancy are worse than worthless when they do not rest on a foundation of honesty. Never was a greater tribute paid to man than when President Lincoln’s neighbors dubbed him “Honest Abe.” Nor did poet ever rise to higher flights of truth than when Scotia’s Bard wrote “An honest man’s the noblest work of God.” “To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand,” says Shakespeare. In the history of the human race men of all ranks have ever paid the highest tributes to honesty and accorded to it the first place in human character. It is this quality, combined with his great energy, which has enabled Mr. Plant to carry his undertakings to so successful an end. One of his associates in business for long years said: “Mr. Plant does not rashly promise but when he does, performance is sure, cost what it may. Were I having a business transaction with Mr. Plant for any amount, and knew that he would live to fulfil his engagement I would ask neither bond nor written contract. His word would be just as good to me as any security that could be drawn by the best legal authority in the land.” “I should name honesty as the dominant principle of Mr. Plant’s character,” said another.