The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 89 text:

.63 other kinds of vans. Here, on the historic soil of jersey Qfamous for its red hue and its adhesive qualityj, we cultivate the peaceful cauliflower-and the virtues of our ancestors. To be summoned from these rustic occupations to run for the presidency of the Holland Society was a severeshock to a man of retiring disposition, --all the more so because that disposition to retire- ment was not native, but had been acquired at great expense. . Cincinnatus, you remember, was in the same sit- uation. But then Cincinnatus had done something to deserve it. In my own case, nothing was noto- rious except my disqualilications. I leaned for a long time upon the handle of my hoe, reflecting upon the dilemma. The placid fthough still invis- iblej garden vegetables, the calm cows, and the chuckling chickens seemed to counsel me to remain in Well-earned obscurity. But the commands of Judge Van I-Ioesen, Gen- eral Bergen, Secretary Banta, and other honored dignitaries were imperative. Finally the habit of obedience conquered, and I consented to run, in so far as that Word of rapid motion can ever be applied to the actions of a Dutchman. 'Now another embarrassing element in the situa- tion emerges. On the evening of your annual meeting an engagement of long standing calls. me to lecture in Pennsylvania--you may be sure that I should not venture into that State but for the reassuring fact that Penn's mother was a Dutch- Woman. Nor should I dare the perils of a candi- dacy zkz 6Z6.S'67ZfZ'6Z, but for the fact that you are all Dutchmen. In your hands I shall be safe. What- ever you do I shall be satisfied. . If you say, Stay with your cauliHoWers, it will be an evidence of 'your sense of the fitness of things. - . If you say, Come to the presidential chair, it