In this response to an inquiry from future Plan of Chicago Committee chair Charles Norton about the traditions of the Merchants Club, Alexander A. McCormick, who was president of the club for the year ending in 1903, states, "The Club has no traditions. It has aspirations." He explains that what he calls the "gospel of hope" animates these aspirations and then describes some recent civic causes the Merchants Club has pursued.

Creator: A. A. McCormick
Source: Art Institute of Chicago