The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-05
Philadelphia-The Difference.

When the convention of really rcspecta
bic pcoplc-men who had much al stake,
and who periodically desired to save their
country from anarchy and ruin--asscmblcd
within the gates of Philadelphia, the Off
cial authorities Of that city paid no a'tcn-
ton whatever to them beyond the mere
preservation, through its executive autho-
rity, Of order, just as it would have done
had o show Of wild animals passed through
the streets.
Again. when President JOHNSON pays
the city visit, no honors are awarded
him as the head of the nation. The con-
stituted authorities are as dumb as oysters,
and the Board of Trade of the city refuse
tho use Of their rooms for public meet
inc oC citizens to make arrangements for the
rcccption of the President. The President
came, and met such demonstrations as
the citizens, the merchants, and mechanics
could extend TO him in the open places and
from the hotels, accessible alike to the
President and the humblest citizen. That
demonstration was grand, imposing, heart
felt, and sincere, gratifying to the Presi-
den, and satisfactory TO the nation since it
gave assurance that though the men in au-
thority in the municipality had neither
civility nor kindness in their hearts, a very
large portion of her citizens were loyal to
the better instincts OF humanity, and vindi-
Gated both themselves and their city before
the world. But the scene well justified the
sharp satire of Mr.. SEWARD, under cover
of a bit of humor, when ne said that i'll
Philadelphia they found city that chad
"no Mayor, no Council, no nothing, and
"cvcry man was himself a lord. So he
"said, Blessed is the city that can
"dispense with government"
But when that convention of mischief
makers and con>piratorS called "Na-
tional Loyalsts" are about 10 assemble
in this CITY of hrothcrly love- what do
we sec? Why, the Mayor and Council
men make ready to honor them. The
chosen and most rcvered places are open
TO them. The cdiiiccs and grounds--sacrcd
70 the past-madc memorable by the events
and history relating to the creation of the
Union and It's glory-arc all thrown open
to them. City officials arc everywhere
active TO honor and entertain men Who are
cxecratcd al home, and whose characters
are shame and disgrace to the nation.
This does present most diSgracciul his
tory for Philadelphia. Such honors to
such wrctchcS, when she has turned her
back upon the most worthy men of the
nation and treated with contempt the
Prc>iden, Of the United States, will be an
enduring stigma upon her reputation.
This is Philadelphia in the light Of the
spirit and acts Of her corporate authori-
ties: and considered only in that light she
is a city to hc avoided with aversion, if not
dcteStation. But there is another view OF
Philadelphia. She has very large popu-
lation of good and worthy and patriotic
citizens; She has not only her ten good
men who might have saved Sodom, but
her tens of thousands Of such. Let lis not
despair that the day will come when the
better part will triumph and wipe out the
disgrace which the present ruling authori-
ties have inflicted upon the public charac-
ter of the city.