Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-07-19
FIRST EDITION.
PHILADELPHIA.
OUR sATuRD LETTER.


PHILADELPHIA, July 1S.
The position taken by the COMMERCIAL relt
tive to the Philadelphia line of ocean steamers,
is both generous and sound. 1t has been quo
ted by our papers, aud has inside an impression
It ia none the less desirable from any view, that
the whole truth should be told. Honest criti-
cism can hurt no one, and il is highly unfair,
to say of a large body of Philadelphians, be-
cause they find fault with certain things in the
organization and management OF the American
Line that therefore they desire the defeat of the
enterprise and are doing what they can to aid in
such defeat. On the contrary, it is because they
earnestly desire to zee the Line genuine sue.
cess that they are impelled to speak their mind,
however unpleasant that expression OF opinion
may be to special interests. have assured you
before and repeat, that the disappointment so
far is wide and profound. If any reader doubts my
statement he has but to consult Philedephians
who have any means of judging public sentiment.
To accept things just as they are; to be satis-
fed with ships taking three or four days longer
to cross the ocean than other vessels; to put up
with the management and offensive pretenee of
the officials OF the home Office; and to do this
simply from Incidence, and the belief that be-
cause a thing is 1t is therefore right would in
deed be like Philadelphia" as the reproaGh
goes.
As above intimated, the low speed of the ves-
ses of the line is by no means the only cause OF
complaint. People having business with the
company aver that things are in bad form" and
that there is a want OF the kind of spirit neces-
sary to bnild up an important enterprise like
this. The centre Of the trouble seems to be Mr..
MADEIRA. the general agent at this end of the
line. tits not saying too much, with the evil
dence at hand on the subject to declare that
this gentleman il quite untitled for his position,
He had an unfortunate capacity for creating
prejudice against the line among all persons
with whom he comes in contact. His faculty for
making enemies is something astonishing. He
all but insults would-be shippers and passen-
gers, and, in short, success is quite out Of the
question under his leadership. He lacks every
essential-energy, suavity, thorough knowledge
4 his ground-for post the Importance of
which can scarcely be overestimated. He APP
pears not to realize that business ia to be here
established in the face of determined opposition,
unlimited capital, and tho finest sea-servce in
the world. man OF the largest views, of the
trueat enterprise, of the keenest brain, is re-
quired and MIR. Madiera-whatever his private
worth may be-does not possess those qualihca-
tions. Business men, in all directions will tell
you these things but the first voice has yet to be
raised in our press for reconstruction. The Penn
sylvania Company lays down the law in this ~
in most other things here and the papers, big
little, swallow it and make no sign.
Another movement has been made in the Cen
tennial project in the Offering for exhibition OF
building. Tho Commissioners issued circular
letter to architects in April last inviting whoever
chose to compete, and neary forty artists re-
sponded to the call The awards are to lie mad
next month, and in the meantime tho plans are
open for public inspection at the old University
Building on Ninth street. In competitions of this
| kind aItsts-a proyerbially jeaons set-have Of
| ten claimed that favoritam and personal intlu-
ence carry Off the prizes from unassuning merit,
| and to dlBabuse contestants and public alike on
this score the commissioners determined to admit
| all plsns and specifications anonymously. The
drawings are simply signed with notices or
assumed names. and the commissioners are pre-
sumed to know as little ofthe authorship Of them
as any casual wanderer through the gallery,
The implied ignorance may not be absolute, but
| the intention was an honest one without doubt,
| and subject the choice is to such open criti-
| cism, there can be no question but the real de-
sire and design is to choose the best regardless
OF name aud recommendation. And yet-is
| there that much virtue agong
| As to the designs thumse elves good judges say
| that they are very credtabe. general direction
was given to competitors to incorporate in their
| plans drawing for the central exposition build
| ing, which will be removed when the occasion
| for its use has passed, and also for structure
| to be known as Memorial Hall to be connect
| ed with the main building. aud to remain per-
| maneutly in the Park as souvenir of the Cen
/ tennial. This necessity has led to a uniformity
/ in a number of the plans, but there is neyerthe-
less, taking the number, a sufficient variety. An
art gallery was also TO be provided for but as il
was not specified that this building should be
/ connected with the others more latitude was
i here given the artists. Some very beautiful de-
signs are offered for the art gallery and a large
proportion of them seem to answer all the ends
reqnired the difficulties to overcome being mush
/ leea here than in the case of the main structure
It is perhaps natural to ind in the latter designs
various "reminiscences of the palaces OF Paris
| London and Vienna, but although there is moth
ing offered that s srikingly original neither is
| there any seryile copying, and any ne of the
leading designs likely to be accepted is as impo5-
| ing, beautiful and we'll adopted to its proposed
| uses as the Exposition buildings of Europe. The
exhibition of the plans ID attracting great deal
| of attention.
While waiting for the big Centennial, we hay c
| already had another, the centennial of the estab-
lshment of the Methodist church in America.
1t has been gala week for the followers of the
good Wesley and coming just at Camp-Meeting
tinlo has proved exceptionally interesting to
| those concerned There has been good deal
Of debate lately on the question whether or no
MethodiAm s declining, but the believer in the
Affirmative of that matter would havo found
nothing to strengthen him in the meetings held
here this week. The celebration commenced
with services in all tho Methodist churches on
Sunday last these were followed by daily meet
ings morning, afternoon and evening, at "Old
| st. Geol se's, on Fourth street and the ami
| veTsary concluded with sort OF Hallelujah AT
the Academy OF Music, THU sday night.
Twelve meetings, exclusive of the Sunday SER
vices, were thus held, in which thousands of per
| sons took part. Naturally the celebration was
highly impressive. The principal feature of the
week wore the remarks on the history of the
church in the United States, on the early strug-
gles of the missionaries and itineranta and upon
the gradual growth of Methodism from feeble
beginnings until it became power in the land
This growth was justly described marvellous
and unprecedented. No sect can at all compare
with Methodism in proselyting results in times
past in America, whatever may be said OF the
present and on that point, too. strong argu
ments were made by various eloquent speakers
, The principal orators of the week were Rev. DR.
, J. b. Wakely, of New York Rev DR.. II. IL. Pat
tison OF this city; Rev. Mr.. Ph@bus of the Viii
mington Conference Rev. DIR. Haven, Secretary
of the Educational Society Rev, DIR, Eddy, Sec
rotary of the Missionary Society, and Rev. DIR
Fowler, of Chicago. These were but few
however, of the prominent men who took part il
| tho highly interesting ceremonies.
Our Ocean Balloon Enterprise appears to b.
. fairly on its feet. Two meetings have been hell
. this week, of persons favorably inclined 70 th
project, at which considerable money was raised
i and more promised in case the contribution
could be guaranteed to reach certain sum
Thus, two gentlemen each offered to give $50
provided twenty citizens could be found to con
, | tribute like amounts. There should be no diff
| | Guilty in raising the money required. This cit
made mistake in the beginning in allowing str
John Wise to leave US unsatished to accept NeN
York patronage. Wise wanted to make his trl
: from Philadelphia. but could obtain no suppor
in the undertaking NOW that We see other
{ have faith in him, we are willing to try lik