“‘As an evidence of our affection and respect, we herewith present you, as a fitting birthday gift, this compass, commonly used for directing and ascertaining the course of ships over a waste of waters. This compass is fitted with a magnetic needle which points ever to the north, enabling the tempest-tossed mariner to hold his way over the stormy sea when there is neither cape nor headland, sun, moon, nor stars, nor any mark in the heavens or on the earth to tell him when or where or how to steer. “‘We pray that the star of destiny, like this mysterious needle, will ever guide and help you to keep an unfaltering step along the dangerous crags and treacherous precipices which beset the pathway of every man, and that your life may be long and useful “in the land that the Lord, thy God, giveth thee.” “‘Truly yours, “‘J. W. FITZGERALD. “‘On behalf of the employees of the Plant Steamship Line.’ “The Southern Express men presented their president with a handsome marine glass. “The following testimonial, read by T. W. Leary, Assistant General Manager of the Southern Express Company, which was organized by Mr. Plant in 1853, explains the sentiment conveyed with the gift: “‘ATLANTA, GEORGIA, October 27, 1895. “‘MR. H. B. PLANT, President Southern Express Company.--Dear Sir: The employees of the Southern Express Company extend to you on this anniversary of your birthday cordial greetings, fraught with sentiments of highest respect and esteem, inspired by the kindly courtesy and impartial consideration which have ever marked your intercourse with them. “‘Regarding you not alone as an official superior, but also as a personal friend, sensible to their welfare and the true relationship of the employer and the employee, exemplified by your long career in friendly association with those with whom you have called around you in the conduct of the company’s affairs, they are glad to avail themselves of this auspicious occasion to manifest the interest it inspires within them by an offering in token of their appreciation and good will. “‘It is, therefore, the privilege and pleasure of the undersigned, in behalf of the employees of the Southern Express Company, to present to you the accompanying testimonial, coupled with heartfelt wishes that as things viewed through its lenses are brought clearer and closer to vision, so with each succeeding return of the day this glass commemorates, may you see the nearer fruition of the unremitting labor of years devoted to the upbuilding of those important enterprises with the history of which your name is indissolubly connected. “‘Commending this souvenir to your acceptance with the united hope of those from whom it comes that continued health, strength, and success may be granted you in the future, we are, yours faithfully, “‘F. L. COOPER, “‘W. A. DEWEES, “‘W. M. SHOEMAKER, “‘Committee.’ “After the above letters were read, Mr. Plant addressed those present in substance as follows: