Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-20
GRANTS BOOM.

The General Fairly Launched In tho Pres
idential Racs-NIayor Stokely to tn,
Front-ralk to the Commercial Eek
change.
change gave Gen. Grant q public reception to
day. The exchange building was very beauti
fully decorated. In response to an address OF
welcome from President Bailey, Gen. Grant
delivered brief speech, in which he said:
Mr.. President and gentlemen Of the com
mercial exchange: Your president, in the wei
coming address he has just delivered, does me
great deal moro honor than I feel to be my
desert: But it is only in keeping with the
reception that have received at the hands oil
Philadelphia of all GLASSES, the commercial
classes, soldiers. ex-s0ldiers and all citizens
to be always so welcomed by them. In reply
to the remarks that have been made
about the extension of our CON-
MERGE, can cay my VAST abroad
has enabled me to SEQ how our trade might be
very much increased with the East. In Europe
it is already taken care of. No change that
can be made that can increase it any more
rapidly than it is being increased. The mer-
chants Of our country have their correspon-
dents all over Europe and understand exactly
what they are to do to increase their trade in
that quarter. But in the East America is be.
ginning to be known ana to be appreciated.
It has now history which all eastern nations
are beginning to study and read: With a lit
tie change and with moro positive American
policy in the East our trade there can be very
much increased.
We are badly represented, and must continue
to be badly represented until new policy is
adopted, of, at least, fixing the duties of our
consuls. They are sent to the East, with sal
aries fixed, which will not support respectfully
even single man. let alone man with fam
lily, and he is forbidden to engage in private
business. The clamor that would be raised
against any American consul engaging in bust
ness, or interesting himself in business if it
were reported at home, would brand him as an
unworthy citizen of the United States, and a
man not to be trusted or associated with.
The policy OF European powers is
entirely different. Their consuls are really
business agents to increase the commerce and
trade of their respective countries. There are
a few of these ports at which such a salary is
fixed sufficient to enable the President to ap-
point Competent consul. The salary is regu-
lated by fees, which in many instances amount
to but few hundred dollars. Yet, in many
places the fees might be increased till they
would become very large. At all such places
our consul generals are compelled to appoint
some one to act as American consuls, and in
almost every instance it is some English mer-
chant who is a trader there but not interested
in extending the commerce of the United
States. On the contrary, he is, instead, inter-
ested in suppress;ng it and keeping
it out of that country. The
remedy for this, in my judgment,
suls in the east to be agents for manufacturing
and commercial firms in the United States and
act for them, and l say to the chambers of
commerce of the United States as I said to the
religious societies Of the country in appoint
ing Indian agents, if you will appoint men
whom you are willing to trust with your bust
ness, let them be appointed and let them act
as American agents for our merchants manu-
facturers and commercial interests. In ad
dition to the fees they get they can earn such a
as would enable the government to
get able and energetic men such as we are will
ing should represent us as American citizens
abroad.
Gentlemen, l had no idea of saying this
when came here. nm almost sorry that I
did say it. All Intended to say was to thank
you for the reception you have accorded me.
PRESIDENTIAL BOOST.
Mayor Stokcly stepping to the front said, ut
is not part of the programme that should
say anything, but I can scarcely help remark.
ing that you can now see how useful, if he is
ever again called officially, Gen. Graut could
administer the affairs Of the nation after lis
careful and extended observation abroad"
This remark called forth a round of applause.
After leaving the exchange the general went
to the hotel. A. j. Drexel rendered recep-
tion this evening at his residence, in West
Philadelphia, to Gen. Grant and Mrs. Grant
The house beautifully decorated for the
occasion. One thousand invitations were is
sued, and at least 700 ladies and gentlemen
attended. The reception was of an informal
character. No speeches were made. Among
those present we're Hou. VIM. NJ. Evarts, Hon.
J. j. Creswell, Hon. John J. Knox, Hon. John
Sherman, Senator J. Don. Cameron, Admiral
Ammen, hon. John Welsh. Hon. A. E. Borie,
Gov. Hoyt, Mayor Stokely, Hon. Edwards
Pierrepont, Geo. W. Childs, Gen. Robert Pat
terson, John W. Garrett, Mayor Latrobe of
Baltimore, Gov. Carroll of Maryland, and all
Judges Of courts in this CITY,