The New York herald., 1844-10-04

Slice, on visiting II now, can hardly believe IL 10 pe
the same city. AT almost every turn he recognizes
the evidences OF changes melancholy change.
year or two ago, Philadelphia was pointed to
with just and honorable pride, as model city
the pattern OF all that was orderly, PEACEFUL clean
| y and attractive-as possessing everythlng s
| municipal government, in the general conduct OF
its inhabtsnts, and in lis whole character, which
entitled TO occupy the very chlefest place amongst
the great cities Of the earth. And to the intelligent
stranger who visited that city, ample evidences pre-
sented themselves, in every direction, of prevalent
good order, prosperity, and high respectability.-
The cleanliness and quiet of the streets-the stad
demeanor of the inhabitants-the sober aspect of
the whole placs-al left on the mind of the obser-
YER new and most agreeable impression
One could not help wondering how, with
such an unwonted absence of the usual din
and tumut Of great city, the extensive and -four
lshing trade and commerce of the place were car
ried on and every traveller came away convinced
that the "Quaker City" approached mere nearly
to the Utoplan standard OF peace, regularity and
happiness, than he had before imagined possible In
any city on the face OF the globe Indeed, so deep
was the impression thus created, that many stran-
gers were accustomed TO complain that Philadel-
phia was too quiet-too ordcry-too sober-too pre-
cise-foo webehaved.
II is, indeed, painful to behold the change which
the brief period OF year or two has produced.
One beheids it with feelings somewhat akin to
those with which we regard friend, whom we
had known in former days prosperous, happy
and reputable man. but who now stands before us
the dishonored and degraded victim OF vice and
crime. There is unusual hustle in the streets
not the hustle OF business, which gives cheerful
token Of prosperlty-but the hustle OF excited par
tizanship-the hustle of crowds of
ever-listless loterers, that attend
No camp-n0 duy-and no friend
the hustle of "rowdyism'' and disorder The ta-,
verns are crowded. Party flags Of gaudy coors
stream from the windows. Gangs of idle men and
boys march in procession through the streets, with
bands OF music playing party tunes Drunken fel-
lows reel in the public places, shouting aloud
snatches Of party songs. Ragamufiins jostle you
in the leading thoroughfares The loud impreca-
tlons of the blasphemer are heard at every corner
Bands offerocious Locking lads, notyet grown up TO
manhood, are seen prowling about the suburbs with
red-fanne shirts, leather belts and muskets. Street
fights are frequent Immense numbers of aban-
doned women throng the streets at night. I'm
mense assemblages of people take place in the
furated shoutings of mobs disturb the stiffness ofthe
beautiful and quiet squares. Artful and clustering
demagogues harangue excited crowds, and their
fierce denuncatons of fellow citizens are applaud
ed to the heavens. The stranger beholds the
blackened ruins OF sacred edfces and asks sWhat
is this?' whilst the citizen shakes his head and
gives an evasive reply Long rows of houses are
shut up and quite deserted in some quarters of the
city, where 1t seems If plague had recently
been spreading desolation and dismay. The old
residents OF the city, as they close with unusual
care their doors and shutters in the evening,
wonder what is to be the end of all this. Every
where dlsoider-dscord -intemperance-partzan
shlp-rowdy Observation-Disclosures appear to be at
work, writing every public place throughout
that noble ciiy--"that glory has depared!'
What has been the cause of all this ? What has
wrought this fearful change? What terribly potent
agency OF evil has thus in SO brief time convert
ed the model city into warning, and an example
not to be initiated but to be Stunned! The an.
swer is easily given. Party spirit has done this.
Civil discord has done this. A paralytic govern
ment has done this. Demagogueism has done
this. And they are still doing this. Philadelphia
is in a fearful state. At any moment single
spark may wrap the whole city in confagration.-
In such state of things what is the duty of all men
in that city and county who desires to secure their
own safety and the welfare Of Philadelphia? It is
clear that they should at once unite in an effort 10
procure reorganization of the city government,
and in the expulsion of the foul spirit of civil dis
cord which has already wrought such ruin. And
if this be not done soon, who can tell what the
next six months may bring forth of shame, dis
grace, insurrection and desolation?