New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-21

Who naa change OF the dinner spared no
their Dut General Harrison FOUND himself
unable and President Cleveland mas sent 'ee
gram expressing regrets which VIII read la'ef bus III
their absence wish histhat sentiment and no
words can add dignity the office OF the CHIEF Magistrate
Of $4,000 600 people (ApplauseD Gcntlemen give
you the FIRST toast The president OF inc om'ea
States"
The toast was drunk standing, the band
PLAYING Hail Columbian The following dis
patch was then read :. -r sa.- 80. ~
To President and the chairman OF the Committee
OF Arrangements beg acknowledge my sense OF the
honor you in inviting me to be present az the
BANQUET this evening" and desire to express my appreca
ton OF tho spirit which the invitation is the evidence
and my regret Official duties detan mo here
GROVER CLEVELAND.
THE PRESIDENTS OPENING ADDRESS.
President Smith then spoke as follows,
Gentlemen of tho Chamber of Commerce, Friends and
Guests This neither the place the hour for long
discourse from your president Seldom in the history Of
the Chamber had the honor OF welcoming 80 dis
tingulshei company o. guests. j know that you are
impatient as j hear the words OF wisdom ann VIII
that Will fall their lips One hundred and twenty
years AGO. IN Fraunces the corner oil broau
and Pearl sts, this city, the Chamber Of Commerce was
Organized The building is still existence ana you
may the second story room where the Cruses INC
Lows the Murrays the waons and the Baches ceic-
brated occasion (our first banoueo WIN green '''
port wine clay pipes and tobacco
H. gentlemen we may imagine that some kino ana
prophec genius bad lifted the curtain whch 'eleo INC
future unioded in mystic vision to the guests az our
erst banouet ranorsma sublime progress o. their
country for one hundred and twenty years; and II while
gazing with iapt admiration the marvellous scenes
which the Eager destiny had painted upon the canvas ""
NAV suppose that vision extended TO this place ana
hour with what glowing enthusiasm our worthy ancestors
would have extended their greetings to YOU gentlemen
their descendants
There have been no questions the early history OF
our land affecting commercial financial Industrial ana
,..fo nbat thQr has mott
and vvincd. 1 venture to give you few facts from
tho earlier records:
John Crugcr for ten years. from 1855 to 1905 Mayor
Of New-York the first president Of the Chamber
His great grandson Van Rensselaer, Cruger
was to been honored guest toniehh out ID u'
fortunately detained at home by sickness.
Our FIRST president. with his brother Henry were
prouinent merchants shipping trade with the West
indies Henry brought frUm santa Cruz to New
York boy who had dIstine ushed career his name was
Alexander Hamilton
John Cruser WA also delegate the First Congress
Of the American Colonies in 17G5 with four other gentle
men from NewYorA, who aftcTward became members OF
the Chamber of Commerce He drew the declaration OF
the rights and grievances the Colonies put forth by
that Congress
At the meeting in May, 176s resolution was passed
society have annual public dinner absences
therefrom pay five shillings fine.
In May, l7S5 special meeting called TO consider
John Hancock and other citizens OF Boston,
dated ed Of April Of that setting forth the
GREY Britain and the necessity OF new treaty with
that power because foolish prediction Of too
many o. our citizens for English manufactures
In January 1856, a memorial OF Christopher Coils,
asking the aid Chamber the project Of connecting
this city by artificial navigation with the lakes This
is the conception OF the Erie Canal. The Chamber
replied Mr. CCss proposal expressing their belief
that 1t idea Of the highest utility and design
which Providence had iaanesty pointed out and which.
In the hands of commercial people, evidently tend
to make them great and powerful.
In 1871 committee appointed by the Chamber to
inquire into and concerning the regulation and con-
duct OF the pilots belonging to this port.
In 1899 resolutions were passed estiyins regret for
the ireparablc by Nation in the death
Of George Washington.
WHAT GENERAL SHERMAN SAID
The next regular toast The United States
with an educated community and patriotic people
her success will continue to be commensurate with
her opportunities and her power coeXtensve with
her vast domain TO this General Sherman
responded in one of his Enthusiastically apt ad-
dresses, being received with three hearty cheers
and frequently interrupted by loud applause He
said in substance: .t.--
Mr. President and Gentlemen; When first received
invitation felt almost overwhelmed at the idea Of
being brought into the of the old merchants Of
New-York who guide the destines Of your Every
who loves his country or who processes to do
honors the merchant the far-seeing man OF
Affairs, who takes the whole universe into
his calculations and brings here the things We
neel sends forth the things that spare and
Ee and every who honOrs the merchant must think
With pride OF New York. which influence
civilization inclined think second only London
and greater than either Paris Vienna Berlin. ZAP
pause) And 1 believe, gentlemen, your influence will
continue to grow-proyded always that you deserve it.
(AIrlause)
When got the toast. / somewhat startled.
ddI know whether 10 take IL In its grand In It's
minor sense like the motto in the copy book that exc
used pass around in school and
you will be happy" Uaughter) That is selfevldent
proposition and is the Nevertheless turned
to Cosmos and thought of Humboldt and then Burg
haus and then TO my old friend William Gilpn don't
whether you my old friend William Gipin.
bat to know him is to be yourself unknown.
(Iauehter lie lectured in London and ne proved to the
satisfaction Of his small audience wherever he
the centre creation. (Iaughter) L remember him
when he lived in ST. Louisiana Of course that the
centre world Qaugher) and when he moved up
independence the world with him. Finally Pres
idnt Lincoln made him Governor of Colorado and the
centre world easily transferred 10 Colorado
(Iapahter.) SO IT the Garden Of the Gods when
he sui seQuenty went there
Well, he a graduate OF West Point and travelled
once with me across this continent to Francisco
Gentlemen did il strike you that when you get TO
San francisco you only halfway the United
states7 Aleutisn Islands which with Alaska.
extend further toward Asia than the continent Of North
America does of Francisco; and
STARTLED Gpln. Every foot OF that land.
too, have honestly by
to Canada, want part OF that, any more than
DO Of Mexico. We have enough poor land already.
Q.aughter.) Our present domain comprises about
100000 square miles and that is bigger than the CIV
iized of any country Russia In Belgium
parts the population forty times depser than
ours at presents what room have TO grow.
can remember when used TO cross the San joaquin
valley twenty thirty years and thought it was
poor miserable place. because cattle suffered in the
passage but the land is worth there sl0o
while wouldn't have given two cents for 1000
then. tLaughtr.)
But the country is growing in other ways. Up here
ct Harvard we have college youths spending s10 900 a
yearmole than the pay Of AFOREMENTIONED, by the
laughtef)-and De Witt Clinton. who s entitled to
the credit OF building the Erie Canal the first great artery