The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-12
men OF COMMERCE
CHEER CLEVELAND
Building of New York Cham
ber Dedicated.
ROOSEVELT is PRESENT
Addresses are Made by the President and the
Former Presdent---Ths Dedicatory
Services Opened by Prayer
by Rev. Morgan Dix.
By the Associated Press.)


New York, Nov. 11.-With the Presi-
dent and a former President of the Uni
ted States as its guests of honor, and
with representatives of foreign govern
ments and other distinguished persons
present. the New York Chamber of Com
merce formally dedicated its building in
this city today. The proceedings were
opened with a prayer of dedication by
Rev. Morgan Dix, rector of Trinity
church. An address of welcome by Nor
ris K. Jesup, President of the Chamber,
followed, and then the Grafton of the
day was delivered by former President
Grover Cleveland.
Former President Cleveland said in
part:
''It need not surprise us if the popular
estimate of this business organization
should fail to take into account all that
it has done to promote high and patriotic
purposes not always related, in narrow
sense, to commerce. No associated body
of our citizens felt more deeply and ef
fectively the throbbing Of patriotism and
devotion to country when our govern
it's protest and aid was Immediate forth
coming when, afterwards, an insidious
attack was made upon financial integrity
through an attempted debasement of our
currency; from no quarter has a more
earnest and insistent demand been heard
for the adjustment of international dis
putes by arbitration; its espousal of
the cause of business education among
cal; it has advocated enlarged recipro-
city of business relations between ma
tions: and the removal of their vexa-
tious hindrances; and last, but by no
means least, it has promptly and with
an open hand relieved distress and al
leviated disaster.
''If we justly appreciate what the
things mean, We shall realize that COM
merce has done an immense service to
humanity, by enlarging within its wide
influence the acceptance of the laws of
honest dealing among civilized COM
munities and by curbing mans beset-
ting sins of self1shness and greed.
What I have said must not be un-
derstood as in the least tntimating that
commerce should be an alSS,p$iastic or
benevolent affair, managed on lines of
amiability and concession. Such a con-
seption would be absurdly at fault.
Commerce is born of enterprise: and
enterprise in this busy, bustling age, is
born of struggle and competition. But
the struggle and competition need not
be to the death. Alertness and keenness
in securing business opportunities do
not by any means import unmindful-
ness of all else save ruthle2sness and
ravenuous snatching,
'As the pioneer OF colonization and
expansion sordidly undertaken in its in
terest, commerce and ruthless disregard
of human rights in regions where, to use
the language of an apologist, the well
fare of the inhabitants of these posses
sions is subordinate to the strategic or
commercial purpose for which they are
held If any measure of restitution or
compensation has fallen due from COM
merce to humanity on this score, we know
that its full acquaintance has been
made or is forthcoming; and we GER
tainly should have no cause to fear that
a like guilty responsibility will be again
incurred"
When Mr. Cleveland rose to speak he
was greeted with loud cheers from the
speech he was interrupted by applause.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Cleveland's
address Morris K. Jesup. President of
the Chamber, announced that President
Roosevelt, although reserving his ad-
dress for the banquet this evening, had
consented to say few words. AS
President Roosevelt stepped forward to
address the chamber the whole assem-
blage rose and cheered. He spoke as
follows:
''Mr. President and Gentlemen: AS |
am to speak to you this evening, / shall
now simply say a word of greeting to
you and to your guests. l have been
asked here as the chief executive of the
nation, and so l can speak not merely on
your behalf, but on behalf of our people
as a whole in greeting and thanking
you for their presence here of these rep
resentatives of foregn countries, who
have done us the honor and pleasure
OF being present today. (Applause).
greet the Ambassador (turning to Mr.
Cambon), whose approaching departure
We so sincerely regret the Ambassador.
to whom on his advent we extended
such hearty greeting and especially rep
resentatives of those great friendly
civilized nations with whom we intend TO
be knit even closer by ties of commercial
and social good will in the future (turn-
ing to the Russian and British Ambassa-
doris and Prince Henry Won Pless).
And now. gentlemen, having greeted
your guests on behalf of you, greet you
in the name of the people not merely
because you stand for commercial sue
cess, but because this body has been
able to show that the greatest COM