The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-03
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB AND THE EnCAEP
MENT.

Nothing in the recent history of Indian
apolls has contributed more to its pros
perity and prestige than the %organiza-
ton of the Commercial Club. Prior TO
that event it was o subject of frequent
remark and complaint that the city vas
lacking in public spirit; that there was
no unity of feeling among its people. no
nucleus or rallying point for public en-
terprises, and no way of bringing about
concert of action in matters of public
interest. This was largely true with a
necessary qualification. The public
spirit was here. but it was ~unorRanized.
1t was not SO much lack of the spirit of
enterprise as lack of means of utilizing
and directing it. Yet the condition ex-
listed and the city suffered from it.
The organization of the Commercial
Club literally supplied o long-felt want
By bringing together a large number of
citizens of cOmmOn interests and in
spired with a common desire to benefit
the city and promote the public welfare
1t furnished at once the basis of an ag-
gressive and progressive organization,
capable of dealing i%ntelligently with all
public questions and well equipped for
effective work. From the day of it's
organization the club has furnished
a fine illustration of the value of CO.
operation. 1t has shown that q thou
sand individuals organized and acting
together with a common impulse to a
common end are vastly more effective
than the same individuals acting sep
arately, with perhaps equally good i'm
pulses. but by divers and probably con-
f1icting methods. The Commercial Club
has supplied just what the city needed
"a rallying point for public enterprises.
1t has not only concentrated the public
spirit that existed before, but it has ex-
cited to activity that which was latent
and developed a new supply.
Just now the club is adding a new
proof to the many already furnished of
its efficiency for good works by prose-
cutting with admirable energy the move
ment to raise a popular subscription of
500. 600 for the National Encampment of
the G.. A. Il. In addition to its efficient
service in securing the passage of the
$75.000 enabling act by the Legis-
lature, and the ordinance appropri-
ating that sum by the Council, it
did not hesitate a moment TO under
take the far more difficult task
of raising $4,000 by popular subscrip-
ton. The manner in which the work is
being done is as creditable to the in
officers and the organization as a body.
Not in every city can several hundred
business men be found who would, to
the neglect of their own affairs, give
time and labor to the prosecution of n
work in which they had nc interest, ex-
cept that of public-spirited citizens.
They could not have been found here be-
fore the Commercial Club was organized,
or, at least, they could not have been
brought together under any plan of
effective cooperation. The result of
their efforts thus far is q sure guarantee
of ultimate success. 1t shows that
there is among our people a large re-
serve of patriotism, local pride and
liberality which will always respond in
a good cause. 1t should be remem bered,
however. that the work in hand is not
yet completed. and every individual.
firm and corporation in b city should
be prepared to respond when called
upon, in order that the requisite amount
may be raised for handling the encamp-
ment as it deserves to be handled. In
every step of this important affair the
credit of the city is at stake, and In
~dianapolis expects every man to do his
duty.