The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-01

the moderate skies Whlch are NJ once most coW
ducive TO the enjoyment and prolongation 0t
life. Under such happy ausplees we cannot
help but increase constantly and rapidly both ip
numbers and extent, and it is assuming little 10
say that, If we are equal 70 our fortuue before
the close of the current century we shall count
more people da cling in more and better houses
and spreading over wider surface, than can be
found in any other American metropolis. ~
II we are equal TO our fortune The question
seems to imply doubt and, in fact, is 80 i'm.
tended. With ample opportunities of obserYa-
uon, do not hesitate to affirm that more
honest, upright intelligent enlightened, and
industrious community than that included IN
our borders does not exist; but 1t must likewise
be admitted that, in recent years, whether 1t be
from the over-caution inspired by the failure of
successive experiments, or from q deficiency In
combined and concentrated effort, or from some
ne4plicable cause, we have not made instant or
sufficient of the natural superiorities OF our
position. While we deliberate, it not unfre-
quently happens that Others act, and thus we
lose the good we Oft might win,
Let me not be understood as applying this
censure to our municipal legislation. Iknow
that in reference to all great public works that
legislation has always been generous, and at
tunes, in the estimation OF some, even prodigal.
Nor would |, on such an occasion intimate what
may have the appearance of complaint did
not believe that IN calling me to this station my
iellow-citizens had no wish that should suspend
the function have so long exercised Of speaking
| to them frankly and freely on all matters which
| concern the general welfare.
The triumphant close of the war waged in
behalf of the national integrity, along with its
| glorious vindicaton of the cardinal principles
| OF freedom and humanity, has brought novel
and startling commercial consequences. The
shock OF four years desperate conflict disturbed
many Weli-compacted business arrangements.
| While the foundations of the great deep were
| loosed, ali its waters underwent violent commo-
| ton and change. But, whatever may be the
| direction OF the waves hereafter, the volume
| will be magnided rather than diminished. Even
| now, amid the confuslons of this transitional
period, it is manifest that in all its parts, east
| and west, north ard south, the United States
| will be stirred into unprecedented activities.
| All the industries which the wants of the Gov
| eminent stimulated, while the conflict lasted,
| will be quickened into more bounding vitality
| by the larger and not less pressing wants OF
| reunited people,. Whatever the labor of the
| country can supply will be IN constant demand,
and trade and traffic of every description will
| swell beyond all former Dimensions. This state
of things will inevitably lead 10 earnest compe-f
] htlon among the principal centres OF business,
and they who bring to the contest the completest
| equipments, and sustain themselves with the
slightest ialtering will win the chiefest prizes.
In such a race as this, without in any deeree
| disparaeing the merits of her rivals, Philaeel-
| phia should be at least among the foremost. As
| manufacturing centre, in the variety, excel
| lence, and cheapness OF her productions; in her
| immense and wellreguated establis lments; in
| the educated skill, and the prosperous lives of
| her working classes she has dlstanced compe-
tIton; while the opportunities she possesses for
easy communications both inland and foreign,
If iudiciously improved, would make her not less
| supreme as a distributing centre. 1t is true,
gentlemen, that officially neither you nor myself
can do much Immediately to promote this desira-
BILE consummation; but incidentally we may aid
| sensb!y in its accomplishing = By perfecting
to the extent of our authority, whatever mea-
sures may be Calculated to enhance the whole
| someness of the city, and the comfort of its in
habitants; by carrying TO the fur thest boundaries
of its built'up portions the blessings of abundant
| LIGHT and pure water; by making intercourse
| bet its broadly separated sections inexpen-
| sive and frequent; by rigid enforcement of all
prov isions intended to maintain the tranquility,
and protect the persons and property of its cti-
zens-by faithful discharge of our duty in these
| and similar particulars, we shall help forward
the grander movements which lie beyond our
| province.
| conservation of what is, or the development of
what is yet to be, we shall, am confident, be
guided by spirit OF economy. Our burdens
| are already heavy to be borne and you will, as
| will, strive to lessen rather than add to their
| weight. No useless outlay should be incurred,
| but, on the contrary, wherever retrenchment is
| practicable, there retrenchment should be prac-
| tised. But we must rot forget that, in public as
| in private affairs, parslmony is not always nor
| often economy. great city, it it would con-
| ttnue to be great, must have all proper appoint
| ments and surroundings must support at
suitable cost, the machinery of public instruc-
| ton; must cherish kindly its afflicted poor and
| punish sternly its convicted criminals; must
| provide, and not too narrowly, places of out
| door recreation Tor its less fortunate denizens;
| and must see that Its servants are fully paid so
that in return it may, as it always should exact
the fullest service. And, gentlemen, while in
your sphere, so far as the powers delegated to
| you permit, by discreet and liberal legislation
| you achieve what is useful and advance what is
| ornamental; and |, in mine, 80 far as the
agencies l am provided with enable me to do
| so, compel an impartial observance of the laws
then il, through any supineness or neglect, which
| l will not allow myself TO appIehend Philadel-
phia tails to reach that lofty station to which
she is entitled, before the tribunal of our con-
sciences we shall stand acquitted of all com
phclty.
The ADDRESS was repeatedly interrupted with
loud applause. After its delivery the Conven-
tion was declared adjourned.