The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-02
The Commercial EXGhaige Banquet

continental Hotel was well filled with the
nembers of the Commercial Exchange aud
their guests from the various cities in the
limited States, on the occasion of grand
benauet given by the former. Along the main
table we're seated the visitors, In the centre OF
whom sat President John II. Mchener, fanked
nm either eide by Hon. Morton McMichael and
chief Justice Thompson. After the viands had
been fully discussed, President Michener arose
and said:-
n.r.Iomen- contemplating the intelligence
,oSom and consummate ability of the gentlemen
10 whom have the honor TO be surrounded, anu
with whom it is my good az vg He o 70 e Se
so ssss and elegance with which they preside upon
S%cb occasions the present, cannot put regret
suSn no0omhination of circumstances that have de-
teS tne ~ mon me duty for which | am altogether
.nSavvnerienced, but from which dare not snrlnk,
because of my official % Te
change of PRiadelpha), and upon whose pehall
now extend TO you a hearty ana mosC ooruiai wei
GENE. ,o ,,,,ited vou to be present
80 this occasion that you might parIake WIN us
OF the feast so bounifully pToVlueut t, anu M M 70 70
fore us subsequently to enjoy Win us, III n d Ia-
tionai wav that almost inevitable result, : tne now
of souD which follows; and 70 you wnO are rom
bo have for the time being (that you might honor
ns with your presence) absented yourselves from
she daily routine of business requiring your closest
ontiny and attention, would say especially that
n anticipating the dedication OF our new hall TO
the commercial, manufacturing ana agricultural
interests of this great business centre, in our
oninion the work would not have been complete or
we'll done until in this social and hospitable man
ner in this city of brothery love, the birthplace of
american independence, we had extended the right
hand of fellowship and hearty welcome TO the
nommerciaI representatives of the east and the
1veat the north and the south, one vast brother
hood representng a community of interests upon
the national domain, and thus burying in oblivion
ali recollection of schisms and strife, sectional
iealouses and animosites, in the ''unon of hearts,
the union of hands, and beneath the glorious folds
of the flag of our Union forever"
Gentlemen, we desire your presence with us, not
only TO partake of the festivities of the OCCASION but
that you may observe and learn something of the
enterprise, industry and thrift of people, as
exhibited in their various industrial pursuits Stu-
ated as are, upon the Atlantic seaboard, in a
State whose mineral resources are unbounded,
whose rich and fertile valleys are superabundant in
their production, whose iron and coal fields are
among the richest and most valuable that have
ever been discovered, with network of railroads
diverging from our city as common centre, not
only throughout its broad expanse but in every di
rection opening the avenues of trade to the most
remote and distant parts of our land, we certainly
possess all the substantial elements of success, and
of ofcommercial and manufacturing Importance.
By published statistics, it appears that in 1860
there was imported and passed through the custom
house of the city of New York. for Philadelphia
merchants, merchandise to the value of thirty
was foreign dry goods-against fifteen millions i'm
ported directly to our own city the same year. In
the interim that has elapsed, like all others of our
sister cities, we have been seriously disturbed and
unsettled in our commercial and maritime relations
with he world by the recent unfortunate and dead
I1 strife within our borders; and while 1t is true
tbat the dark clouds of war that SO long lowered in
The horizon of our SHuntrys glory ana prosperity,
for a time almost entire.v oDscurea our ~conniel ~
cial Importance the silver lung az lasC apgea.e,
nnd seems now apont To shed forta lts splendor IN
the renewed vigor and activity w N's' va a;'S''
and capitalists in that direction With the various
lines of coastwse steamships already in active OPP
Grafton, arrangements have also recently been con-
summated for a line of steamers between this port
and Liverpool, and the establishing of another to
ports in Germany is likewise being seriously con-
sidered.
Thus gentlemen, whilst we admire the energy and
enterprise OF our sister city OF the Empire state,
we intend to emulate her example in this rtcular
and ere long make our own city the port of entry
for her supplies, carried in steamers plying to
and from her own shores; and whilst, amidst the
vast resources of old Keystone State, the rude,
shapeless and molten material is wrought into
comely form at our factories, furnaces and forges
by the educated skilled artisans and mechanics
for which our city is celebrated and in point of
manufactures as locality stands pre-eminent, our
product in that line being about two hundred mil
lions of dollars annually, affording employment, as
have recently seen it estimated, for about one
hundred and seventy-hve or two hundred thousand
people; and as in the rapid strides of progress and
improvement we are borne forward on the tide of
success to wealth and prosperity we SHALL with
unbendng effort and unyelding will, with all the
enterprise and energy of which as people we can
boast endeavor to place city as a commercial
and manufacturing metropolis foremost among the
cities of the world
have taken this opportunity, gentlemen, thus
briefly to allude to some of the important advan-
we possess not IN spirit eg0tlSm that
you may become more familiar with our develop
ment and resources as people, and of the glorious
old commonwealth we represent, and upon whose
behalf again bid you heartfelt and hospitable
welcome.
The next toast was "The cities of Chicago and
Milwaukee" twas responded to by Mr.. Randolph,
OF Chicago.
This gentleman said he was present as a repre-
Sentative of the section usually denominated the
northwest-5ne States Tributary to Lakes Michigan
and Superior, After alludnp - the enternrise OF
tnat region, he spoke OF its need of extended COM
munlcation to the seaboard, The State of New
lorh mas stood in the The way OF this result and he
iogrerted to say here, in Philadelphia, the COM
monwealth of Pennsylvania has seemed to occupy
the same position.
Referring to the Pennsylvania Railroad, he said
1t is now doing much to meet the wants of the
northwest 1t now has connections with all parts
of the west. Within the last few days 1t has made
new connection, and now has road direct to Chi
cago. This road enables Philadelphia to compete
with New York for trade of all sections of the great
west. When New York roads make a reduction
this road makes a corresponding reduction, But
Philadelphia needs increased facilities for handling
grain in bulk 1t must have elevators. Merchants
and manufacturers must combine to secure this,
or let the railroad do 1t for them. Cannot Phila-
delphia command enough of this trade to load ships
Of her own to send abroad in exchange for FOREIGN
goods? The merchants OF the northwest, though
they do not wish, in presence of gentlemen from
New YORK TO say aught against her, yet desire Phil
adelphia to do this
He referred in eloquent terms to the approachins
inauguration of General Grant, and augured i'm
creased prosperity as the result.
Chicago now toasted Pennsylvania in thes,
terms Prominent alike for its inherent wealth
both above and below the surface of the soil, ma,
her sons maintain to the end the proud position
that they have ever held energetic, perseverine
sagacious and patriotic representatives of our
mon country.
To this ex-Mayor McMichael resnonded nc fo,
lows:
President. 10 lwava 10