Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-11
MANY BUSINESS MEN
Hear Roosevelt and Cleveland
in New York.
OVATION TO PRESIDENT
NEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FORMALLY OPENED.
President Arrived Early in the Morn
ing and Paid Visit to Sis
ter Who is Sick.
OVATION TO PRESIDENT

United States as It's guests Of honor, and
with representatives of foreign govern
ments and other distinguished persons pres
ent, the New York chamber of commerce
formally dedicated Its building in this city
today. The new building, a handsome
structure of white marble, Is situated In
Libertys street between Nassau street and
Broadway.
The proceedings were opened with a pray
er of dedication by the Rev. Morgan Dix,
rector of Trinity Church. An address Of
welcome by Morris K. Jesup, president OF
the chamber, followed, and then the ora
ton Of the day was delivered by former
President Grover Cleveland.
Mr.. Cleveland was accorded an ovation
when he arose to speak. In part he said:
Mr.. Cleveland's Address.
Former President Cleveland said in part:
ut need not surprise us if the popular
estimate of this business organization
should fail to, take into account all that 1t
has done to promote high and patriotic
purposes not always related, in narrow
sense. to commerce
mo associated body of our citizens felt
more deeply and effectively the throbbing
of patriotism and devotion to country when
our government was threatened by armed
rebellion; its protest and aid was immed1-
ately forthcoming when, afterward, an in
sidious attack was made upon financial in
tegrity through an attempted debasement
of our currency.
From no quarter has a more earnest and
insistent demand been heard for the adjust
ment of International disputes by arbitra-
ton; it's espousal of the cause of business
education among our people has been
hearty and practical.
ENLARGED Reciprocity.
'It has advocated enlarged reciprocity
Of business relations between nations and
the removal of their vexatious hindrances;
and last, but by no means least, it has
promptly and with an open hand relieved
distress and alleviated disaster. Such in
cidents as these illustrate the organiza-
tions beneficent accomplishments in the
advancement of civilization and in further
ance of the Improvement of humanity.
IF we justly appreciate what these
things mean. we shall realize that COM
merce has done an immense service to hui
naanity, by enlarging within its wide in
fuence the acceptance of the laws of hon
est dealing among civilized communities.
and by curbing mans besetting sins Of
selfshness and greed.
What It Has Accomplished.
I'VE shall thereupon be led to apprehend
the especial benefits in a moral sense that
have accrued to our own countrymen from
the work and example of the chamber of
commerce OF the state Of New York, and Of
kindred institutions scattered throughout
our land. They have brought together
vast number of our citizens and made the
American merchant, who, too great to be
mean, has, by bold enterprise and brave
venture, challenged the admiration of the
world.
Equally as important as this In it's moral
COR MI SipnificaOCp have.
the adoption and enforcement of rules for
their government, illustrated to a people apt
to chafe under enforced restraint how use
fully they themselves may voluntarily re-
strain and regulate their conduct; and, be-
yond all, they have directly and by example
leavened the mass of our citizenship with
love Of scrupulous honor, and largely con-
tributed to the preservation of true Ameri-
can devotion to fair play.
Commerce Not Altruistic.
What have said must not be understood
as in the least intimating that commerce
should be an altruistic or benevolent affair,
managed ON lines of amiabiity and conces-
sion Such conception would be absurdly
at fault.
Commerce is born of enterprise; and en-
terprise, In this busy, bustling age, is born
Of struggle and competition But the strug-
gle and competition need not be to the
death. Alertness and keenness in securing
business opportunities does not by any
means import unmindfulness of all else save
ruthfulness and ravenous snatch1ng.
"As the pioneer of colonization and expan-
sion sordidly undertaken in It's interest,
commerce has in other days had justly laid
at Its door cruel aggression and ruthless
disregard of human rights In regions where,
to use the language Of an apologist, the
welfare 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 COM
pensation has fallen due from commerce to
humanity on this score, we know that Its
full acquittance has been made or Is forth
coming, and we certainly should have no
cause to fear that like guilty response
bility will be again incurred.
Cause Of Congratulation.
These exercises, recalling so forcibly the
growth of American commerce in world
wide influence abroad, and in usefulness
and benefcence at home, cannot fail to be
of interest to all our countrymen; but the
citizens Of the greatest of our states and of
our imperial city, with all they have to
make them proud and happy, must espe-
cially congratulate themselves upon the
association of their state aad city with the
fame and honor which have been wrought
out by the chamber of commerce Of the
state of New York"
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Cleveland's ad-
dress Morris X. Jesup, president of the
chamber, announced that President Roose-
velt although reserving his address for the
banquet this evening, had consented to say
few words.
President Roosevelt Cheered.
As President Roosevelt stepped forward to
address the chamber the whole assemblage
rose and cheered. He spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen: AS 1 am to
speak to you this evening shall now simply
say word of greeting to you and to your
guests. I have been asked here as the chief
executive of the nation, and SO can speak
not merely on your behalf, but on behalf of
our people as whole in greeting and thank
ing for their presence here these representa-
tives Of foreign countries who have done
us the honor and pleasure of being present
today. (Applause.}
"I greet the ambassador (turning to Mr.
Cambon) whose approaching departure we
so sincerely regret: the ambassador to
whom, his advent, we extended such
hearty greeting, and especially representa-
tives of those great friendly civilized nations