The New York herald., 1868-04-07
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..
Centennial ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS by Messrs.
William 4. Dodge, j. Austin Stevens, Jr., a.
A. Low, George Opdylke nnd Others.

William L. Dodge, j. Austin Stevens, Jr., a.
A. Low, George Opdyke nnd Others.
In accordance with previous resolution the
Chamber OF Commerce celebrated at Irving Hall last
night its centennial anniversary.
Cards of invitation were sent TO each OF the nine
hundred members of the association and at the open
ing Of proceedings, at few minutes past eight
O'Clock, number accompanied by the ladies OF their
families were present and 1llcd- the body
OF the hail. The rear OF the stage was
decorated with flags, bearing the coats OF arms of
the city and the Chamber On the right OF the stage
Liberty and Justice represented standing, one
each side, near shield on which was represented
the sun rising from behing cloud-the whole sur
mounted by an eagle standing hemisphire. Its
companion on the left represented the present dag
of the city, with the mariner and Indian each side
OF central shield in which are the blades Of wind
nil beavers and barrels, representing industry and
commerce. Between these flags were portraits of
Governor Golden (ful lengthy taken In 1772 by
Millhen Pratt, the right of which were heads OF
John Conger and Henry White and on the left OF
John Alsop and william Wolton, merchants OF New
York century ago and founders Of the Chamber of
The celebration was opened by the introduction Of
Rev. DR.. Osgood, who breathed a prayer replete
favors which had, since the discovery and settlement
OF the country, been showered on the Ainerlcah
Dr. Osgood was followed by the President of the
Chamber, william +. Dodge, who remarked In SUB
meeting TO celebrate the centennial anniversary OF
the Chamber of Commerce, which an accident had
assured them was organized on the 9TH OF April,
I7os. He then held before the audience framed
sheet Of paper which he said was copy OF q printed
call which had been Issued a hundred years ago,
calling on the merchants of the city TO meet and
organize the Chamber. The original call, he added,
had been found by Young man while rummagng
over come old papers, and Ivy him presented TO
Mr.. Low, his immediate predecessor In 1ios, he
continued the population OF New YORK could
not have Iauch exceeded fifteen thousand In 1856.
when the census was taken II was hut 10000, aud In
I776 It had risen to $1,000. The merchants or New
York the most pa triotic and distinguished OF whom
were members OF the organization were exceedingly
active in the years Immediately preceding the feVo-
lutionary war, ana were violently opposed 10 ~ a%a-
ton without repre- senaon. These wonld not tralllc
with the mother country until the question
was settled, and the result was that the
imporiations fell 10 f150O0 in single year.
He regarded mercantile societies as exceedingly
useful They were counenanced IN all cities devoted
TO commerce. They helped TO build up, revive ana
enlarge the understandings OF merchants on mercan-
tile poy, while they AT the same time, by wise egs-
laton, stimulated trade ana made those who were
engaged honorable and direct IA their dealings wun
each other. The charter OF the Chamher Oh COM
merce, he added, was, he believed the Oldest,
with the exception OF certain ecclesiastical ones,
and that Of Columbia College. The progress OF the
city was really wonderful standing upon the heights
OF century he cOnd look back and compare the New
York OF l16S with the metropolis OF to-day. nun
dred years ago and there was not bank or an nsu-
rance company in the city: now there was not room
enough In Wall street lOr the monetary institutions.
while organiZers Of insurance companies were puz-
zied 10 lind names for their new hantinrs. A cen
tury ago the city was confined to the area of the
First ward, and he shipping Of the port did not eN-
tend on the North river side above Nescy street,
while the East river shore covered by tile yards
of shiphuiders " WAS really difficult to realize
these wonderful changes almost within lhe lifetime
OF man. Tie city, including Brooklyn, had IN one
hundred years Increased from $1,000 10 l,5D0,000 in
habitants. " hat would That population number when
the city held its second centennial anniversary 2
Although the merchants OF New YORK century ago
felt the future importance OF the city IN the commerce
Of the world tGey Se' hl % e9i lain Isnt e9 ,sS 81 ,he h
present City Hall was erected, with three sides Of
marble, while the fourth Was Of common brown
stone and IL was so constructed upon the suppos-
tion that the population would never extend
above 1t, and so citizens would not be offended
10y IT. cheap rear, and as for The country people re
siding above Chambers street II ma,tered liitll
whether they saw II or not Nr. Dodge continued ir
this strain for some minutes. 10 the delight of MI
hearers, and then announced that tie secretary
John Austin Stevens, Jr., would read an address
comprising historical sketch for the past one hun
slred years of the Chamber Of Commerce.
Tke address Of Mr. stevens was exceedingly Inter
esiIng, and to be appreciated should hc published
II was read A synopsis can give the reader but al
Indifferent idea Of the interesting historical pruun
over which its author necessarily travelled. Hecom
menced by saying tha' one hundred years ago tn
population OF New York numbered about twont
thousand; and that when the Chamber OF Commefc
was FIRST organized twenty-ionr OF It's chief merchant
and traders placed their names upon lis rol
members. These were even at that carr
day alive 70 the position when ne M GU
of the world. Three races occupied the city nt u
time the Chamber was organized, descendants OF th
Uolanders, iugucnots and English. These wer
subsequently re-entOrced by emigfants rom Ne'
England, and the Ilollanders, Wv the elevation
william OF Orange 10 the throne OF England, havin
Their vanity gratifed and their jealousy removed
worked In harmony with their fellow members
the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. stevens IN glow
inc language recalled the names ana deeds OF man
Of the old merchants OF the cty ana then proceede
10 follow the organization Of which he Is secretar
Through the century TO the present day. II was nc
known where the first meeting oi the Chelnher vi
held. Tie second was convened OF Bolton
sieel's Queens Head which was 'no-sguep'
known M FIaDcis' Tavern, ana which
yet standing on the corner of Pearl on
Broad streets. IN the long room Of ms ouli
ing not only the Chamber Of Commerce put w Lu
Liberty Bows and others held their meetings IN
building was erected curly In the last century, an
with the exception OF two stories added 10
height, H. intcriory as lt was when the Uhanb
first convened within ns walls. untii the yri
ITO the organization held its sessions al franc,
Tavern. In that year the corporation OF u
city panted 10 the u1e OF the Rrei
room over the Exchange which stood al "