"I
am quite sure this occasion does not call for any speech.
The whole spirit of our meeting here is too spontaneous and
sincere, Mr. Clarvoe, to require any expression in carefully
thought-out set phrases. What I have to say will be very brief
and simple, and its chief merit will be that it comes directly
from the heart.
"In
speaking the other day about plans for this occasion, Captain
Faris referred to you as our "model man." We all subscribe
to the correctness of that definition, whether we interpret
"model" in its mechanical sense or in accordance with the
broader general meaning ascribed to it.
"We
all agree that you are a model man. During 50 busy, happy
years you have given faithful and efficient service to the
Government. You have had a part in the production of many
instruments and devices which have assisted the survey to
do more and better work.
"In
the broader, finer sense you, yourself, have been a model
to us all. It is no small thing to have served for 50 years
in one organization and at the end of that time to hold the
respect and affection of everyone of your associates. I think
it would be hard to find many men so universally loved by
all with whom they come in contact, and to possess that affection
is to have something better than mere wealth or power without
it.
"Finally,
you are a model to us in another respect. Although you are
looking back over 50 years of service, you are still a young
man--young in the best of all, youth, which is of the spirit.
Your interest in life and the pleasure you derive from it
and give to others are things which men of lesser years may
well envy.
"It
is with some such thoughts as these that we have all gathered
here today. This 50th anniversary merely affords a special
occasion for us collectively to express to you the affection
and esteem which as individuals we show you every day of your
service. As a token of that affection we want to give you
this little present. We hope that it may mark many more hours
of association here, and after that many others in which the
thought of that association will remain a warm and comfortable
feeling to us all.
"Mr.
Clarvoe replied:
"I
have no words with which to express my appreciation to you,
my associates in the Coast and Geodetic Survey. This watch
which you have given me is, I feel, a very substantial expression
and approval of my services here.
"Captain
Patton's reference to happiness expresses exactly the feeling
I have had in my work. The Constitution of the United States
gives us the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
It does not give us happiness, but only the right to pursue
it. The achievement and possession of that condition lies
entirely within ourselves.
"The
first 50 years are the hardest, of course. I have made some
errors during this first 50 years, but I will try to correct
them in the next.
I thank you all."
