The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-07
A BUSINESS MEMS DAY
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION Of COM
MERCIAL LIBERTY IN AMERICA.
Proposed Commemoration OF the
John Jay-Mr. Depew's Statement.

NEW YORK, Dec. 6.-The arrangements
are very nearly complete for the American
commerce banquet, to be held at Delmon-
ico's on the evening of Commercial day"
Dec. 10, TO commemorate the close of the
first century of commercial liberty in Amer
lea, as secured by the treaty negotiated
with England by John Jay, of New York.
The chairman of the committee on arrange
ment. Mr.. s. w. Fairchild announced to-
day the following names as the speakers at
the banquet: Senator William p. Frye, on
Our Merchant Marine;' Hon. Don NJ. Dick
inson, on American Commerce." Gen.
Charles III. Taylor, on The American
Press" and Gen. Horace Porter. on 1.-The
American Business Man."
The aim is to have no important Amer
lean industry and no section OF the country
without one or more representatives at this
centennial celebration. and the acceptances
thus far give every assurance Of success in
this direction. The celebration will be dis
tinctfvely commercial. Probably the gath
ering at Delmonico's that evening will rep
resent. through the 300 or 400 individual
components of IL, greater variety OF
American industry and manufactures and
larger measure of the Nations CONNER
cial magnitude and wealth than any similar
assembly In this country The reception
committee consists OF some of the most
prominent citizens OF New York. DR..
Chauncey VI. Depew is chairman of this
committee.
Speaking of the celebration. DIR. Chauncey
NJ. Depew. who is the author of CONNER
cial day. said to-day: 1.-The historical facts
to support this movement are pregnant with
interest and suggestion. The close of the
first century OF our American commerce
should not pass unnoticed, and the business
men OF to-day should bow their acknowledge
ments to the valued services rendered by
the patriot OF one hundred years ago.
am very much pleased at the favorable COM
ments from the newspapers in all parts of
be recognized as Commercial day Some
or the papers seem to be laboring under the
misapprehension that have made mis-
made in a day. From the time of Jays ap-
pointment until the ratification of the
treaty by both countries period of three
years elapsed but IL was December, 1885,
that Washington expressed his approval of
or the treaty as a whole.
Some or my correspondents have asked,
What can be done on this day by the bust
ness men in celebration of these events?'
Appropriate resolutions should be passed by
organized commercial bodies. Ii would be
most appropriate for the Jay treaty 10 be
made subject for special exercises in the
public schools on that day. The newspapers
vi Let ~ COuu pIOpt.ly nave ARTICLES on
the subject, for the files of our newspape
OF one hundred years ago are rich with his
torical facts not found in the standard his
tories. Public meetings should be held in
business centers and orators selected TO talk
on American commercial liberty and our in
terests generally. Our national colors
should be unfurled on public buildings, and
Commercial day banners and flags should
decorate factories, stores and business Of
fees everywhere. These are but few of
the things which occur TO me at the mo-
ment. but everything is appropriate that
will impress the Importance of the day on
our people. The study of the struggles of
our countrymen TO establish American COM
merce will make US better business men and
better satisfied with our present conditions.
When one stops to reflect on the wealth of
this country as compared with what Ii was
one hundred years ago. the figures are per-
fectly bewildering, and such observance
OF this day throughout the United States
would in my opinion. do much TO start with
fresh vigor our sluggish trade. The condi-
lions were never more favorable for such
movement.