The New York herald., 1879-12-20
GENERAL GRANT.

GENERAL GRANT.
A SPEECH TO THE PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER OF
CoMMERCE-THE Ex-pREsIDENT SHOWS THE
DEFECTs OF OUR CONSULAR sRRvICE-MAyoR
sroKLEYs ''oYEIcIAL" UTrERANCE. m
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 10. 1879.
To-day was the set aside to receive General
Grant on Change by the leading merchants of the
city. The committee for the Commercial Exchange
having the matter in charge called upon the General
the Continental Hotel. where they found him very
much refreshed after his visit Of yesterday and
rounded by host Of friends. The General expressing
his readiness to proceed to the Exchange Carriages
were taken. and he. together with the committee
having him in charge and the committee of the City
Councils. proceeded down to the Chamber of Com
merce building. He found the building elaborately
decorated and cordial welcome awaiting him. Upon
his entering the Exchange room the band struck up
"Hail. Columbia" ana the merchants. who num-
bsred thousands. raised hearty cheer. The Gem
era escorted to beautifully decorated rostrum.
on which was allegorical painting. with
america" above 1t and "a Nations Gratitude' be-
low it. Upon his taking position he addressed
by John T. Bailey. presdent of the Chamber. and in
THE GENERALS REMARKs
MI. PRRsrDENr AND GESrLEMEN THE EXCHANGE
OF COMMERCE.. OR CoMAERcIAL ExcHANGE-Your
President, in the welcome address he has just read
has done me more honor than feel to be my de-
tions have received the hands Of Philadelphians
of all classes-the commercial class, the soldier the
very grateful I to II the I people Of Phiadepnia to be-
always welcomed by them. In reference to
the remarks made about the extent of our
commerce my visit abroad has enabled me to
see how our trade may be very much in
creased In the East In Europe it is already
taken care Of and u increasing rapidly. The mer-
chants OF country have their correspondents all
over Europe. and they understand what is neces-
that Quarter But in the East America is Just begin
ming to be known and appreciated. It has .
history which all the Eastern nations are beginning
to study and read, aud with more familiar policy
IN the East our trade can be very much increased.
Bat We badly represented abroad. and will
be badly Represented until policy Is adopted OF
fixing the duties of our consuls. They sent
to the East with salaries which will not support .
man. let alone man Of family. When he Is sent
out by tho government he is forbiddsn to do duty.
Any consul engaging in business. II reported at
home. would be branded as an unworthy citizen Of
the United States and unnt to be their represent
stive The consuls Of other nations abroad are
active in increasing the commerce Of their respec-
tive countries. They are all engaged In some com
nercial business aud, Of course are thoroughly
formed upon all subjects necessary to know in order
may be advanced. In many instances no salary is
fxed st all when consul is appointed to such
post; all he can receave are amply the fees IN many
instances amounting to but few hundred dollars at
the best A conseq 1t all such posts Con
sui General u obliged to appoint those to act
sus who residents OF the respective countries The
generally il that the person selected is Eng
shmAn. who pays NO regard to the interests OF this
own country. The remedy, in my Judgment, would
be for Congress to authorize the consusn the East
to be agents for manufacturing and commercial.
houses Of the United States. and to the various
chambers Of commerce of the country that III you
viii suggest mer whom you willing shall sct as
ceive in addition to their fees such . compensation
will enable the government to get only able aud
no idea of saying all this when came and the only
thing can add is. thank you for your kind vel
come.
A BROAD HINT.
After cheering At the finish Of these remarks.
Mayor stokley called upon. Mayor stokley.
stopping to the front Of the platform. said:-
I do not propose to say but u word. I simply
came along with General Grant the citys guest
the part OF the Committee Of the Councils who have
been engaged very agreeAbly with him for the past
week. As many Of you are well aware his uino has
been prontsbly engaged, and do not think It has
been lost here this morning. We have learned from
his own lips that while abroad he has been very
observant visitor. He has seen what is necessary
for the country to do both at home and abroad and
II he is again called to act officially you
how much better he would be fitted to act than
before.
The remark evoked aspasmodic round Of applause
After these remarks general reception held. the
members passing In file before him, and the General
shook hands with all ho could until he tired and
desired the reception to close. Then the President
Of the Exchange placed in the Generals buttonhole
the red ribbon worn by an ex-president OF the Ex-
change, thus making the General an honorary menu
Der Of the body and an ex-presdent.
Colonel Forney. with u few appropriate remarks.
calod for three cheers for General Grant, aftor
which the General took his departure and returned
by carriage TO his hotel. where he remained until
went to West Philadelphia. 10 reception given In
his honor by Mr.. Drexel, which also attended by
Secretaries Evarts and Sherman. who proceeded
thither after dining with Mr.. George w. Childs.
PRESIDENT AND Kx-PREsDKNr.
President Hayes has written . letter an intimate
friend of General Grant, saying he desired TO pay his
respects to the General before the latter left for tho
West Indies, and desired him to loarn IL IL would bo
convenient for the General TO receive him either
Wednesday or Friday Of next week. he under
stands the General is TO spend Christmas Day with
his mother in Jersey City. The President replied
that no would be very glad to President Hayes.
and that either Of tho days named would suit him,
but IL the President should not find Il convenient TO
como to Philadelphia either OF these days he
would defor his visit his mother and receive tho
President on Thursday