The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-01
AMBER OF COMMERCE.
lOtdicatiOn Of the New Hall Of the.
commercial Exchange To-day.
Addresses by John III. Niche
ner, x, Harper Jeffries,
and George L.
Buzby, Esqs.

ne Commercial Exchange, In the Chamber OF
Commerce Building, on Second street, between
Ghesnut and Walnut, attracted large audience,
eeDposed in great part OF ladies. Delegations
from the leading commercial ASSOCIATIONS
Of New York city, Boston, Baltimore, Ohr
sago, Richmond, aud other cities were
present, by invitation, to participate
In the ceremonies. The hall presented mag
nincent appearance and served as the uhVel-
sal theme of conversation while the auoience
were awaiting the opening OF the exercises
The occasion was also enlivened oy very "r''s''0
nus,c by the Liberty COrnet Band, the mem
bers of which, arrayed In gorgeous new uni
forms, had the appearance OF battalion OF
major-geneIals on grand field day.
ktl2 o'clock the dedicatory ceremonies were
opened bya
PRAYER by the Rev. George BrInghurst,
"a folio gs:-"Lord, Thou b ast been our dwell
Ing place IN all generations. Before the noun
ia Ms we're brought forth, or ever Thou hadst
formed the earth and the world, even from
everlasting to everlasting Thou art God. The
heavens are Thine and all the hosts of them;
the earth aud the fullness thereof the world,
and they that dwell therein: Thy dominion is
eiastiDg dominion; holy and reverend is
Thy name. We worship and gorify Thee, the
triune God, aud bow in humble submission
before Thee Thou king of kings and lord Of
lords. We invoke Thy. blessing upon this
builcing, this enterprise, and Thy SER
wants connected there with. May the golden
rule be practised by, all who tread these
mercy, ard walk humbly with their God. Bless
this occasion for the promotion of all which IS
pure, holy, and useful. Prosper the trade OF
cur nation, preserve the public peace, inspire
the press with truth and charity, bless every
commercial institution of our city and land,
our institutions of learning aud benevo.
hence. give us in abundance the fruits of
the earth. satisfy the poor with bread, and COM
fort the afflicted. Pour out Thy spirit upon Thy
servants who are with us to-day from abroad,
especially be with the members OF the Phiadel.
Bhi2, Commercial Exchange, convince them OF
the worth of their souls. aud the weight of
eternity; make them diigent and serious in their
preparation for 1t; and as they meet in this
sen it not. May they, without exception, so
live that when tAe earthly house of this taber-
sacle ia dissolved they will have bailding of
God an house not made with hands, eternal in
the heavens; and to the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost will we ascrlbe blessing, and honor and
glory forever and ever. Amen.n
At the conclusion of the prayer the Liberty
Cornet Band rendered piece of music John
FL. Kitchener, Esq, the President of the Com
mercial Exchange, then appeared and delivered
the following address,
Address by John III. Michener, Esq.
In response to an invitation from The gentle
men OF the Commercial Exchange Association
and whom officially have the honor to repre-
sent, we have this day assembled for the pur'
pose of dedicatiug to the commercial anC
manuiscturing Interests Interests OF OF Phiadelphda th'
together with the Chamber of Commerct
building in which it is located, and both o
which were designed and built expressly for tat
purposes have Just Indicated
Whilst II is quite true that many of our friends
not connected with US are well informed as tc
the objects of our organization 1t is also equally
true that many others, including by far the
larger portion Of the public, and particularly
the ladies, are entirely unacquainted with the
purposes for which we daily meet. 1t may
therefore. at this time not be out of place to
allude briefly to its advantages as viewed from
the standpoint OF business men.
In large cities it is impossible that parties
representing the various commercial and indus
trial pursuits should be confined to any particu
lar locality, but necessarily the reverse, being
scattered and widespread throughout the
community. In the natural course of trade
and from the fact that each particular branch
and each individual is more or less dependent
upon another, business interviews become
necessary, and intercourse indispensable. 1t i:
therefore not unrequently the case, and par
ficularly In our Rn city, that miles intervene
between the buyer and the seller. the commission
merchant and the jobber, or the manufacture
upon either extreme Of its limits, and thereo:
necessitating, when compelled to see eact
other, the loss of much valuable time when l
can least be sacrificed, and frequently tota
disappointment, from absence Of the part
The Predominant feature Of our association
Guilty. certain hour OF the day is estabshe
Ser.fIgh 'Change, when the reports of markets
hoth at home and abroad, by telegraph o
otherwise, as they maybe obtained are dali
read by the secretary. previous to which tim
the members have gathered upon the foo
from all sections OF the city to buy an
sell from or to each other, and to interchang
views upon the state OF trade and bushes
aenerally. Thus we are enabled each day
Faeet with the various parties with whom "
trade. and In an hour or two to transact NOR
business than was formerly dsre IN whole da
by remaining at our stores and warehouses; an
Anus It is that the energies and the resources
individuals are concentrated and rendered th
Rnore effective In competition with these M
embraced In the membership.
rally arise from such q combination OF interes
fer the attainment OF a common good. au
which engender a powerful influence In fave
OF our locality, both at home and abroad, an
aid materially In procuring such laws and reg
lstions as may befound necessary for tRe benel
Rf trade generally.
shall pass theee by however, and endeav,
IN explain 10 you the necessities Tor, with u
0Tigin and completion Of this building.
For several years past 1t has become qui
apparent, from the steady and rapid growth
our association (which Is quite comprehensi'
An its character, excluding none whose mercal
ale and social standing in the community woc
eeem to warrant their admission, but com prislI
all branches Of trade and commerce within ol
Jssi diction), that the quarters we had 80 lol
limited, in space convenience and fRcl ties, Il
He accommodation, and that we must Thereto
eventually enlarge our sphere oil action
YetrsgIade rom the proud and important pos
skp, rs mercantile organization, We h'
already attained.
With these views, ard in order to meet q
axigeDcies Of the future, aud 20 provide for Il
natural expansion OF trade incident to lar