The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-29
v. p. Banks Lecture ON the Commcr-
cinl AUe

cial Age.
Hon. N. P. Banks, Speaker OF the United States
Of representatives. delivered the opening lecture
sercantile Library Associator's course last even
IN Chspin's church, Broadway. the audience
merous, and on the appearance Of the distinguish
urer, they greeted him with loud applause.
commence by observing that In accepting the in
TO lecture before association in OF the first
rcal cities Of the world, he deemed It not insppro-
TO present some general considerations indicating
pansion OF commercial Influences, ideas and into
the leading characteristics OF the new era upon
incontestably we were now entering and which,
ture review, scenes we were now passing might DO
ed az the opening OF the commercial age. Every
I'd an instructive idea Civilization moved on in
pace and the State rose from the period Of infancy
Of middle life, and sank again into the decreptilude
There was profit ~ well ~ Pleasure In the con.
.,ion OF those stages Of nations existence 80 regu-
/ We could anticipate the future Of history, ana
Is character BY noting the periods II hes passed,
hich were in SO msIy respects mere sim,u-
OF individual existence. was . study
conveyed instruction and impaired . warning.
9 In no com nercid power, said the lecturer, that
ses . deeper interest than the United states. Tue
| can UE1On SprouK IIOm COuuCt6 upon commercial
tons and interests. Tho Revolution was toagnt
with reference TO . mere independence for The
y of Great Britain than for any carefully denaed
Al ideas or institutions that were Immediately to
the liberation But OF these, such Is affected
cree were first 10 time and Importance. In the
ntiou which framed the constitution, perhaps ne.
ny subjected 70 . mutual concession Of COZ ticting
It,, there were three notable and historical compro
Of which the third-continuaHce of the African
Iade for period OF twenty years-wAs conceded
slavehoIding States, - an equivalent for the abso
,ntfo by Congress OF al statutes relating 70 navga-
It's troubled sessions, we'll AZ toe popu debates
States disclosed the existence oftwo parties, Of
relying upon It's own eneI gy and industry. was
wlh an implied recognition Of Industrial facilities
orgsnic law. The other evinced deter mnstion.
over 70 be exercised within or ese outside the
.uticn, 70 control the government Itself. No fact
attess the exalted capacity OF the public men OF
than their success, In their weak condition
cipent state, in impress their commercial views
The Powers thon ruling the world. For . century
half the maritime world had rested under rigor.
nnopoy Of It's trade by Great Britain through her
lticp lavs. The United States was the drst Power
s,on or resist IL and her blow ct those lavs-the
.oke she dealt after achieving her Independence
rec. We compelled the British government uiti.
" repeal h.r statutes Of 1924, giving her colonies
vantage Of direct trade with the United States. No
can can have contemplated without emotions Of
the declaration Of European governments ia the hate
n war, - the law Of the world, OF the same psno
defence Of which wo had ventured 10 confront the
avail Power Of Cnrhtendom hall century before. 1t
sublime instance OF Poetic Jus toe when one OF Eog
foremost statesmen defended the grant Of com
al freedom to the~iittle commonwealths remain
ON the ancient League Of Hausa, upon the ground
Dgand could not fairly refuse 70 them what she had
forced to grant 70 larger European States by the
policy Of the American republic. May not the
some-m we can maintain our own-when the
poetic justice shall enable US, by our example, to
. lie, constitutions and freedom, 70 some at least,
|, three hundred commonwealth which have been
from the map Of Europa by great Powers,
sh process Of partition and absorption Sun, the
shment of tho constitution did not settle the
one at ISSUE The extent OF the power granted 70
u commerce and the measures best calculated TO
op6 the industrial inter ests OF the country, ON
all commerce depended. were the chief party
/. but, continued Mr.. Banks, generation or two
,assed, and men OF formerly hostile opinions are
BIT 70 act in harmony. The government 10 strong
b TO defy present danger and Augury Of future ILL
Unparalleled progress OF the people win neither
Imaginary conflicts OF interest nor opinionated
iices 10 ere ate partks where mutual success de-
cd unity Of purpose and action. Every man now
commercial advancement asks but little
Of the government than the continued
macy Of intellia enoe aud liberty. Ia his
pm The American continent was not unlikely 70
Joe the theatre on which the prominent features Of
age would be developed Whatever changes
occur IN the history OF our race. Ia our systems
serument, could hardly fail 70 exercise . mate
/ nd rs trusted, salutsry and sdvantageou. inau-
Midway between those portions OF the globe hith-
q Andest theatres Of humaa action the Southern
Ind tho marrow athmus which connects II with the
= eysyep& OF commerce, and will perpetuate In
II OF enormous trade by Gro ~ding all rivals below
Horn, n the continent OF Africa crowds them below
ape Of Good Hope, in the Eastern hemisphere. Its
! features not les gigantic. chain Of inland
md network Of great rivers penetrate 70 the centre
continent II possesses shore liue also-Aiways
lportant element in the dcveopement Of commerce,
n and domeetic-u surpassed, when compared
~ territorial surface, by any other portion Of the
|. the oppression which IN the beginning OF
government reeisted the admission OF the staples
favored people ~ 70 foreign msrkets.
raphcAl discoveries are opening new tn eatres for
nercial enterprse Improved methods OF communi-
oiler the interior escape from its isolation. The
Iiinijon OF mechanical for physical labor, makes =
tss product the basis Of imitless commerce. Ne
cal improvements and inventions are now we'll un-
God 70 be the handmaids Of commerce There arc
nin 70 thi, creative power. II an educated mind
err 70 the call Bot the idea that most strongly A.
the future OF American commerce, 70 the connection
9 Atlantic and Pacific By railway. Like other geea.
prizes, its importance viii not DO appreciated, II IL
.vep be anticipated, until the work 10 done. Tho
,si theatres Of human action surfeted with supply,
nocuated the world with desire for commercial
,nee. They possess every element Of prosperity
aiion and capital 70 An inconoeivable extent. No
bic amount Of demand can exhaust their supplies,
DO people, from the day when the camel was nrst Ia
With precious spices or silks OF Tyrian dye has ever
,vable wealth. Alta day not far distant voyage 70
ndles from London was q labor OF years The lead.
laY Of human exeron for nearly three centuries has
The shortening OF this course. until the United States
10 wonderful changes OF the last half century, are
d In petition 70 effect transit OF passengers and
nce from New York OF Boston TO China and Japan In
~ days. communication 10 I'm mediate being once
ructed the trade Of the Fast will flow In its channel
hmus route, NO ship canal, no rival enterprise can
rb Il. Nothing more expeditions, TO which osn be
readily applied future improvements or whish will
higher recompense hes within the power Of man.
will place in the keeping Of America the
10 the deposits Of all mater al prosperity, until other
richer Than those which tho grace OF God nov
70 the family Of man, shAl be discovered, and with
viii open the com mercial age. IL n
hat no appeal can properly be made 70 those whom
address, Who are just entering upon active life,
r 70 spur on tie government to pcrfectng this
est development Of our national prosperity.
inclusion, SJeakert Banks said that aser abiding
~ Of the great facts which indicated the expansion
numerical interests ~ the prominent feature OF our
time, II might NOT be improper. upon that iutroduc-
M Of conduct and Of Bfe that must necessarily
70 undere all success Ia commercial pursuits. In
OF character must necessarily be the basis OF all
nsrcia trans No penalties against crime and
NEEDLES OF Law could ever answer the purpose Of the
liant; and more than any other avocation the sue
" commercial men must be measured by the SUCCESS
crowned Industry and enterprise In other pursuits,
said tha, the Athenans forbade the exportssion OF
rom their State because they thought that q morse
oh delicious flavor should never crafty the pslstes
'r barbarian neiehbors. Not later than hundred
ago the merchants Of London thought II would be
lhboring town. Who would not welcome Whatever
Gritty God In his providence might shower upon the
American States, and accept an indednite aud OK.
d commercial intercourse with them, ~ more than
Equivalent for any advantages 70 DO derived
territorial expansion or the incorporation OF