The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-13

promise to do my utmost to make up in action and results for what 1 lack in
 words, to express my appreciation of the
 office.
 Ir assuming the very important duties
 of president of this highly respected or
 ganizaton, l feel even deeper responsi- bility than has heretofore been placed
 upon your presiding officers, for I realize that in electing me your president. 1t was not intended as a personal compli-
 ment, but as a recognition of the young men.
 Represents Young Men.
 l, therefore, feel that l not only repre-
 sent this club, but l also represent the young business men of Birmingham, In whom you have demonstrated your con fidence and to whom you have paid the
 high tribute by electing to the pres
 idency of this club, one of their number, and by this act you have given evidence of your breadth and your enterprise and you have extended to the young men of Birmingham an open invitation to join
 you in the upbuildlng of this community. in other words you have bridged the
 usual deep and difficult chasm which they
 can under ordinary circumstances only cross with the countersign of experience and the ear marks of mature age; you have again proved that Birmingham is
 the best young mans town in the entire country, and 1t Is now up to the young
 men to make good. And this will be no easy task for 1t is not a case of the old
 and weak giving away to the young and strong, but on the other hand 1t is the broad minded, middle aged, active men, yet in their prime, who have already
 made the district famous, and who are yet young In years but great in achieve ! ment, but who are willing that the young
 men who will some day have to follow that, oil nut ,rNIn ,J,o hatt
 responsibility shall work with them side by side and on an equal footing. l. there fore appeal to the young men, that In their own interest-in the interest of this great district-and as evidence of their appreciation of the rare opportunities that
 have been thrown open to them-that they join the Commercial club. enter into its useful work and lend us their CO., operation. in order that we may make good and show our fathers that we are worthy sons and equal to the in- creasing opportunities and responsibilities
 of a great and growing community. It would, indeed be a sad commentary on the ability of the young men of Bir- mngham if In this era of prosperity we cannot make a great record In this club, when we have before us the inspiration suggested by that noble work of building a cotton mill by popular subscription in the dark days when It's more recent past brings to our minds the many enterprises located here through the efforts of its loyal members-and when we are re- minded that this club, like almost every thing else in Birmingham, is not large enough for the demands of the town, we must confess that great opportunities are here for the new regime-opportuni- ties to increase its membership and like wise increase Its revenue. which means better facilities for pursuing the work for example, with more members. which
 means more money. would have money with which to send our secretary or other representatives after industries. instead of waiting for them to knock at our door-this is only an instance-we can make this club effective along every line of its work.
 Never Be Satisfied.
 We should never be satsfied-and right here Is our greatest danger. From one point of view. we are blessed with the evil of too much natural wealth. to stim- ulate in us that determination and public spirit that is necessary to make most towns half as good as Birmlngham-an if the truth be known public spirit and publicity are the materials that are today building many important cities. So let us not allow our unsurpassed resources intoxicate us without our greatness, un- less 1t be only to the talkatve stage, where we will herald our greatness to the world.
 Let us have this year work of prac- tcal and material results. With a pass ing reference to the clubs most recent success at monument- building. which monument has indeed served it's purpose and done it's duty well. let dispose of the celebrated iron man Vulcan with all possible haste and turn our attentions to building more of the magnificent and everlasting monuments. which each day of our lives belch forth smoke. and ere ate pay rolls that remind us of the great ness of the pioneers of the past-and, which if increased. would be the best monuments to also perpetuate the mem- ory of the pioneers of the present With out speaking disparagingly of or over looking the many sacrifices of our early pioneers. we are told by those whom we have recently had the honor and pleas ure to welcome In our midst. that even