, 1862-08-04
THE CHICAGO noARD OF tn .np

THE CHICAGO BOARD on rRAnR.
Among all the associations and societies
n existence in the West-aye, or even in the
East-there is none probably which has
80 fairly earned the respect and honor Of
our people as the Chicago Board Of Trade.
Composed as it is Of merchants, brokers
and commission dealers it has demonstra-
ted almost for the first time in the annals
Of our country, that it is not necessity Of
success in business to be soulless, selfish
and unprincipled. While its members
have been engaged in operations, the nature
aud extent OF which may be said to be
extra-hazardous and foolhardy dy-they have
never refused aid where 1t was deserved, or
turned away the needy with an empty
hand Whether it has been to assist an
orphan asylum or poor church, Sunday
school or charitable society-an have
found its members On hand to contribute
promptly and literally:
But it is with regard to the noble, patri-
otic spirit displayed by this association, to
which we would at present more partic-
ulaI]y refer. When this wicked rebellion
broke out, amidst the spontaneous out
bursts Of patriotism all over the country
the Board of Trade Was among the first to
give Of its means literally to fit out yolun-
tcers for the war-and whenever money
WAS needed, either to relieve the families or
soldiers, OF to send aid to the wounded on
the battle:felds-it has always been found
ready and willing TO respond. Such has
been the lberality displayed On SO many
different occasions by the Board, that sani-
tary associations and relief committees of
late, when they felt the need Of means,
have actually felt ashamed to ask from
quarter where they we're satisfied more had
been given than was duly their share.
Its, however, in the recent movement
to aid volunteering for the army where
they have earned the gratitude Of every
patriot, Our readers all recouect how,
when the news Of the reyerses before
Richmond was received, and the Presi-
| dent called for three hundred thous-
and more volunteers monster mass
meetings were held for the purpose of en-
couraging enlistments. But what did they
all amount to? There were big speeches
| and very small ontributions-loud cheers
and louder hurrahs for generals and poll
ticians-and the whoIe affair ended in
smoke. Next day there was general
feeling Of disappointment at the result
our moueyed men did not come up and
respond, and without this, it was known
that enlistments would be uphill work.
That evening, however. the Board Of Trade
held a meeting to see what it, as an associ-
alton ought to do, and its members mod st,
II resolved to raise ten thousand dollars to
organize battery Of artillery, to be called
the Board Of Trade Battery; but before
twenty-four hours had elapsed they had
raised. twenty thousand dollars, and thei1
battery was full to oyer-howing. Then it
Was that they further resolved to raise a
regiment Of infantry, and now that is about
full-and their subscription list is swollen
to nearly fifty thousand dollars!
1t is not SO much in the work which has
been done by the Board itself as in the e0
ample which has been held up to the whoIt
courtry-that the conduct Of this Associa
ciation is so highly creditable tx
its members. It has infused enthusiasm
into every Board Of Trade throughout tn
whole country-Buffalo, Milwaukee, Tole
do, Detroit, and even New York ani
Philadelphia hare been moved Il
action. Where there was apath,
there is now zeal, vigor and full demon
strations Of patriotism and iberality. Th
telegraph flashed the news over the wire
all over the country, that the Chicag
Board of Trade had raised a battery an
were now raising full regiment, and
chcered the President and Cabinet, as we
as the generals in the field, while it opel
ated on the whole country as q stimulus t
similar exertons.
Have the citizens of Chicago not reaso
to be proud Of their Board Of Trade?