The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-07-23

Pm~LADELpHA, July Is, 81,
Mn. EprroR-Perhaps no city in
America, at all approaching it in size,
with the single exception of Brooklyn,
which is really but a suburb Of N. Y,
makes SO little stir and noise as quiet,un-
pretending, yet vast and wealthy Phila-
delphia. It's situation midway between
the Commercial and Political capitals,
its distance from the sea, and its lack OF
any striking advantages III location
seem to justify the expression Of sur
prise which often escapes strangers on
first trayersing its illimitable area.
1t is a fact, though hard to be credit
ed by New Workers that the houses in
this city outnumbers those of New
York; by thousands, and that the dis
parity is increasing every year.
The traveller, stunned with the rush
and roar Of Broadway, is slow to recog-
nize in calm and quiet Chestnut street,
the main avenue Of the second city OF
the Union. 1t is the fashion in some
sections to speak slightly Of Philadel-
phia as being IN overgrown yillage-a
mere aggregation of houses. 1t has
been well said that every great city is
the expression of an idea,
The thought Of Rome in its glory was
power; of Athens art; of Babylon
-magniicence; Of Palmyra-pleasure
Of Jerusalem-religion. Paris to-day
is a synonym for gayety and glitter
London suggests the rustic of Ledger
leaves, and the sober hum Of business.
The very lame Of Boston has a learned
sound, and N. Y. is the city par excel
lence that expresses the extremes Of
our nationol characteristics. What is
the popularity Of Philadelphia, which
gives it an individuality Of its own Z
One word expresses it-conseryatism.
Philadelphia guards with jealous care
whatever is time hallowed, and looks
suspiciously and long at any thing new.
Hence it always lags a little in the race
of improvement, but it chngs with the
more persistence to a reform once adop-
ted. Colorcd people are now permitted
to ride in the street cars, but the con
test which brought about this innoya-
ton was long and bitter. All through
the war in a city famed for its gener-
Gus and tender care Of the soldiers who
wore the blue, the sick or manned vet
r with a black skin was thrust from
the public vehicle where the dirtiest
butternut or most rabid copperhead
could ride unquestioned. And this was
not 50 much from dislike TO the negro
as from a dislike Of change. In like
manner the main reason why the cars
do not run on Sunday is because they
haze not.
We are just now in the midst Of a
carnival Of song and larger beer. All
day Saturday the "baad} were arriving,
and al evening were formally welcomed
by their city brethren and the mayor
on Independence square with fireworks,
torchlights and general rejoicings.
Sunday they occupied in steamboat ex-
cursions on the Delaware, participated
in by hundreds who had not the excuse
of old associations and Teutonic blood
for their violation Of the day Of rest
Monday and Tuesday were spent in
seeing the city" which many best ac-
cOmphshed from the inside Of various
larger beer saloons On the eve Of
Monday occurred the grand concert, in
which twelve hundred trained voices
took part Tuesday eve witnessed a
rial Of musical skin between fifteen o.
the visiting societies. The first prize
an embroidered standard-was award
ca 10 the Kiederkranz Of y. j. and the
second-a silver goblet, to the Hobokeh
Quarteite.