The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-10

We congratulate the merchants of Baltimore on
the choice which they made yesterday of a site for
Their new Exchange. The advantages of central
location, and of q concentration of all the leading
branches of business under one roof and around
common focus are so apparent that we are surprised
that there should have been any difference of opin
ion among mercantile men as to the superior Sligi-
bility OF the site which they have chosen over
either of the other places suggested 1t is curious
fact hy-the-way in the history of trade and one
worthy of mention in this connection, that in our
present mode of conducting commercial dealings in
all the great staples, we are gradually returning to
the ancient custom, not of our fathers or of the
last century, but Of our most remote ancestors and
OF three thousand years ago. In the earlier ages
OF the world, and at the present day in barbarous
countries the ordinary mode of traffic is for BUYERS
and sellers TO congregate daily in some public
place where merchants may exhibit their wares to
all who come to buy, and where purchasers may
nave every opportunity OF comparing the different
articles on sale, in point of price and quality, and
of making their choice accordingly Such was
the ancient 'market-pace' of Scripture, such were
the Agora and the Forum of Greek and Roman
history, and of a similar character are the public
Bazaars Of the East. In the sale of meats and
vegetables We have not yet abandoned this print
tive custom; and in spite of the 'fgreen grocers''
and the "provision stores, we still retain our
public Markets, where the mutual convenience
both of buyers and sellers is greatly promoted by
the competition engendered between the latter, and
the congregation of large numbers of the former
With respect to other commodities, however. the
Gradual increase in tho nm ,baro
products of human skill and industry, and the
invention of the art of printing and of newspapers
introduced a change in the manner of conduct
ing business. Men built solid warehouses and
commodious shops for the storage and display
of their goods, and sought to supply the place of
public exhibition of their wares in the market-place
or bazaar, by advertising in the public prints
Government, too, interposed to discourage the dali
iy assemblage Of merchants On Change and pro-
moted in every possible way the separation and
segregation of the different branches of business
and classes of dealers. The daily concourse of
merchants, it was found, was productive of too
great freedom of opinion, ofspeech and of action.
The merchants had discovered the strength which
is found in unity daily intercourse promoted SYM
pathy, and the principle of association led to the
formation CT guilds and companies, which proved
so many nurseries of free principles and democratic
institutions. In some cities of Europe the daily
meetings of merchants prohibited by law and
dispersed by force. Hence grew up of necessity
the practice among merchants of transacting their
business IN their own stores and countng-rooms
each dealer dwelling separate and apart from his
fellows, IKE an oyster in its shell, and pursuing
ms own course OF petty dealing in spirit of mar
row and exclusive selishness and Isolation lat
terly, however, we have had a return TO the old
and better custom of former days. The formation
of the Corn and Flour Exchange, and Of tho p.o,,;
sion Exchange were indications of larger and o,lor
views, and loftier purposes animating our mercan,,
community. The action OF yesterday ifit lead 10 tho
establishment of g Merchants Exchange ON .
liberal and comprehensive SCALE will not fail 70 |
promote alike the best interests of trade and of tho
whole commercial body.