The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-26
THE BUILDING AS IT Will AprzAR.
dent of the Chamber of Commerce of this

dent of the Chamber of Commerce of this
city.
THE ORATOR.
+ Judge Christians remarks and Colonel
Purcell. when he arose, were received With
applause, and tue orator said
Mr. President. Gentleman and Ladies' In
accepting the honor which you have con-
ferred ia in yiting me TO address you on this
OCCASION, ] recognize the compliment as not
alone to myself. but % the commercial ele-
ment in this community, of which l am an
humble member
also feel that you expect a plain, prac-
teal business talk rather than the brilliant
efforts of an orator
With this understanding accepted your
invitation " few days ago and II must
serve as an apology for my unpretending
address tins evening.
+ cannot let pass such an opportunity for
congratulating ourselves upon the auspi-
ci0us beginning of this enterprise. which
marks the era Of a new degree OF usefulness
for our Chamber.
There is IN our city no body Of more in
fueuce or dignity than the Chamber Of
Commerce, and the idea IN erecting this
| building was conceived IN the great want
felt since the date Of its organization for a
suitable home. Coupled with the desire TO
supply this want was the practical purpose
of so charging the scheme as TO finally IN
sure revenue that would support the in
stitut0n ia accordance with It's proper dig
nifty and importance.
In the fu.fllment of these plans we shall
see the Richmond Chamber of Commerce
handsomely settled in It's own comfortable
and elegant building. with an income.
trust. sufficient TO enlarge and carry out its
benehcent designs.
pBO5EEss OF NATIONS.
In all ages the execution of great works Of
art or science has marked the Intellectual
progress Of nations. All the annals of his
tory, from the building OF the great pyra-
mids 10 tho construction OF the SimplOn
Pass are impressed with these embems Of
human industry and perseverance,. We, IN
our generation. have seen the impress OF
our own time in the SUez canal, the Brook
lyn bridge and other great feats OF scien-
tific skill. These are but tue indications
by which great nations transmit to pOsterty
some conception Of their energy and pro-
nressiveness. and these evidences have often
proved the most enduring pages OF their
history.
SOFT is with cities. They can best attest
their public-spirited energy and industry
by such monuments which, long detying
age and decay. will convey 10 the future
becoming idea of the enterprislng spirit
which actuates them to-day. Ii Is thus We
see municipalities aad corporations build
inc memorials IN the shape OF costly edi-
fees which shall stand creditable 10 their
projectors when generations shall have
passed away. Nor 90 these achievements
stand idle monitors Of the 81 DRY Of the past;
they serve as an inspiration to each sue
ceeding generation. impeiliug them to out
strip their predecessors III the race not only
for material development. but moral and
intellectual development. OF which such
rbyscal achievements are but the material
expression.
il il to this incentive which we derive
from the contemplation Of great deeds or
great works OF our forefathsrs-that we adj
dress ourselves t--day.
An ANCIENT CUSTOM.
We are here 10 ioin in tho ancient and hon
orable custom of laying the cornerstone OF
monument which will DO erected on this