[Speech of James Russell Lowell at the second annual dinner of the
London Chamber of Commerce, January 29, 1883. H. C. E. Childers,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, was in the chair. The company included
representatives of the English-speaking race in every part of the
world. On the chairman's left sat James Russell Lowell, United States
Minister. In proposing "The Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom
and of the Whole World," he delivered the following speech.]
MR. CHAIRMAN, MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN:--I was a few moments ago
discussing with my excellent friend upon the left what a diplomatist
might be permitted to say, and I think the result of the discussion was
that he was left to his choice between saying nothing that had any
meaning or saying something that had several [laughter]; and as one of
those diplomatists to whom the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs
alluded a short time ago, I should rather choose the latter course,
because it gives one afterwards a selection when the time for
explanation comes round. [Laughter.]
I shall not detain you long, for I know that there are speakers both on
the right and on the left of me who are impatient to burst the bud; and
I know that I have not been selected for the pleasant duty that has been
assigned to me for any merits of my own. [Cries of dissent.] You will
allow me to choose my own reason, gentlemen. I repeat, I have not been
chosen so much for my own merits as for the opportunity afforded you of
giving expression to your kindness and good feeling towards the country
I represent--a country which exemplifies what the colonies of England
may come to if they are not wisely treated. [Laughter and cheers.]
Speaking for myself and for one or two of my compatriots whom I see here
present, I should certainly say that that was no unpleasant destiny in
itself. But I do not, nor do my countrymen, desire that those great
commonwealths which are now joined to England by so many filial ties
should ever be separated from her.
I am asked to-night to propose the "Chambers of Commerce of the United
Kingdom and of the World," and I might, if the clock did not warn me
against it--["Go on!"] if my own temperament did not stand a little in
the way--I might say to you something very solemn on the subject of
commerce. I might say how commerce, if not a great civilizer in itself,
had always been a great intermediary and vehicle of civilization. I
might say that all the great commercial States have been centres of
civilization, and centres of those forces which keep civilization from
becoming stupid. I do not say which is the _post_ and which the _propter_
in this inference; but I do say that the two things have been almost
invariably associated.
One word as to commerce in another relation which touches me more
nearly. Commerce and the rights and advantages of commerce, ill
understood and ignorantly interpreted, have often been the cause of
animosities between nations. But commerce rightly understood is a great
pacificator; it brings men face to face for barter. It is the great
corrector of the eccentricities and enormities of nature and of the
seasons, so that a bad harvest and a bad season in England is a good
season for Minnesota, Kansas, and Manitoba.
But, gentlemen, I will not detain you longer. It gives me great pleasure
to propose, as the representative of the United States, the toast of
"The Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom and of the Whole World,"
with which I associate the names of Mr. C. M. Norwood, M. P.,
vice-president of the Associated Chambers of the United Kingdom, and the
Hon. F. Strutt, president of the Derby Chamber. [Cheers.]
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