Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-11-21

PHILADELPHIA.
Qua SATURDAY LETTER.

NANCE REGULATING STREET PARApEs-sNaUIAR
oAsE OF soAspAL-THH NEW TAX RArE-oLARKK
AT THE WALNUT &c aa..tl
Special Correspondence of use Commercial
PnIADELPHIA, Nov. 20.
A very important religious Council was held
here this week 1t differed from most church
meetings in this--thst it was an effort to break
down the bonds OF sect and to promote Chris
tisn Union. Its proceedings were
watched with solioitude by numbers OF
earnest people, the more intelligent OF whom
however, were not sanguine 70 the result
In the end it did not succeed. and denomina-
tionslism having withstood the assault is strong
er than before. Many have baen the Efforts to
reconcile Christian differences and bring all be-
levers into the fold Of single and simple organ
zation, but all have failed and all similar efforts
are likely to fail The heroic life Of Rev. Thos.
Il. Stockton tells the tale with sufficient vivid
ness and might we'll dissuade other reformers
from attempting useless work. The tendency
Of religious bodies seems rather 10 divide and
crystalize into new forms than TO amagamate.
Must we conclude that Sectarianism la
stronger than Religion, or that it is a
necessity OF human nature to entrench
and fortify In numerous small bodies2
The churches concerned in this latest effort
toward Christian Union were the German Re-
formed and the Dutch Reformed 1t has long
been thought that the differences between these
organizations while not slight were yet of such
q character ~ admitted OF harmonious settle
ment. Finally, committees were appointed by
each church to confer on the subject, and il
possible to report plan for union. 1t soon be-
came apparent, however, that the extreme Rit-
ualstic practices Of one wing OF the German
church stood firmly in the way. The Dutch Re-
formed is very GLOW, and In consequence an
adverse report made. 1t is believed by
some that Ritualism not being the predominant
ing conviction of the German church, there
will be a division in that denomination, the
I .ltafa tIta nnf al,urob xpIt
will then have no scruples about receiving them.
Whether the future has this in store or not,pres-
ent prospect of union is at an end.
As being measurably connected with church
matters, must here mention strange case OF
religious intolerance which came TO light ths
Neek. A young actor named j. OonstaJs Fink,
but who appeared in public under the name OF
J. IF. Oonstans, died after short illness, at
| his fathers house in this city. One minister
after another was requested to perform the
funeral service, but all declined. Disheartened
by such cruelty the parents were about to dis
pense with any ceremony, when Rev. Dr.
Durburrow, the wel-known Episcopalian clergy
man, having heard of the case, volunteered his
services. Soulless prejudice can surely so nc
further than in the conduct Of these dissenting
ministers. The will recall the similar one
|, of George Holland who made the reputation Of
i "rhe Little Church around the Corner " IN New
York, but Holland was well known and poo
Oonstans was not Known at all, and 30 one cast
has been much commented on while the othe
has attracted no attention. To add to th'
cruelty of the thing it is known that the charac
Z ter OF Constans was rreproacbsble He showed
signs OF talent and had he lived would doubtless
haye made efficient actor. The church II
bound by the very tenure OF its offce to perform
a | the Last sad rites for all men, saint and slime
) alike, but where it is shown that the deceased
has every claim upon the respect and regard o
society neglect at least appears worse. Th
\ reverend gentlemen concerned in this business
. may live to regret 1t. -
fharn nantanniuI al N "
a week. As we approach the grand climacteric
3 these celebrations press In 10 remind US that w
r have history, and that although the nationa
life commenced July 4th, l776, there were con
siderable goingson, hero, previous to that date
q The City Troop, for instance, whose Oentennia
!, we have Just celebrated with much heartness L
g seen to ante-date the Revolution, yet is anon
It us at this time as vigorous as ever. The re
J. proach that we are country without past VII
d cease to be Calling some of these days, il VI
d keep on.
The City Troop has always been rather aris
tocratio body, aud perhaps has not come as nea
!. to popular sympathy as the more ordinary mill
J. ts. II is composed Of wealthy gentlemen, VIII
own their horses, and look out in q liberal man
ner for eyory sort or assistance In the routine
d a troopers duties. Missnthropic citizens VIII
'. were never on horseback In their lives hay
been wont to at these bold dragons, as pla
soldiers who loved TO dress up and parade about
but who like Artemns Wards Home Guard
4 we're pledged never to leave the city paveme nt'
l. except In case OF invasion thereof. But II WI
:, will get rid OF the jealousy which attaches I
j money we will see that there is something NOR
& in the Troop than this. 1t is true it is a mos
d exclusive body, Il can imagine the wry face
ID made over the Led9ers suggestion Intended :
1t be complimentary, that 1t should expand TO til
dimensions of Regment) but it has more tina
once responded to the call OF duty II not In lat
II ter years as organization, still through tn
ID patriotism of its members. The guard duty pei
10 formed by the Troop early IN the Rebellion coul
| ha al aarvioa lut muet he Ca6se
d with the march Of tbs famous New York 7th,
Z and other holiday affairs, but many members o
" the troop went regularly into the service, an
10 not few OF them laid down their lives for th
l. cause. The lamented General Birney WAS on
of these heroes. The true work OF the organ
zation seems to be the educating Of claf
= of men fitted to take cavalry commands, an
V. that is much larger work than the entering Q
Of q small force into active service.
ts The grudge against "rich mems sons" SCENE
to die away as the papers detailed the history
We our"Troop OF Light Horse, and all entered hear
le lily into the spirit OF the anniversary. There wa
IS, procession OF tho First Division OF the Nation
re Guard, in which numerous military bodle
ar joined the new Armory OF the Troop on 2la
street near Chestnut, was dedicated there wa
q grand banquet and there were numerous pr
"a vate parties and receptions. At the banquet
II number Of military and civic authorities wei
- present-Generals, Governors, Senators-a vel
a; distinguished company indeed. The processio
~ ON Tuesday was very imposing there is nothin
ra ike "tne mlllnBtAry IOf ulle hbreot buoNs
e be sure it was rather broken up this time by IL
s as new municipal ordinance which provides thl
al professions shall halt every seven minutes for
w pace of three minutes, 30 as to allow vehicle
aud pedestrians who have become "blocked :
oross the line. very sensible regulation 1t Il
n, although it spos the full effect of q parade
,at have the line broken here and there by deracl
"a ment of carts and wagons. But the merrym
nd kers do not own the streets, and 1t has alwa,
nm been kind of outrage to force street travel
nd come to stand still on such occasions for IL
on | satisfaction OF a class who may have chosen
m appropriate the thoroughfsres to their own us
va The new rule was given its first trial on Mo
,a day and gave general satisfaction.
very singular scandal case 10 exciting IL
Southern portion Of the city. physician name
his Dr. Henry Weyill was shot by man name
ew Christian Hansen on Tuesday morning. II
le, Doctor was wounded in the leg, and SO bad
RS. that amputation had to be performed He nc
ne lies very low from the effects Of the operate
TO- and it is doubtfuli il be RECEIVERS. Wevill was q
,he family physician OF the HanHens, and at the tin
ce. OF the shooting was paying Mrs. Hansen pr
,ed fessional visit. While thus engaged Hans'
yas rushed in, in a fury, with pistol in one hal
ted and written paper 10 the other which he COL
ers manded DR.. Wevill to sgn unless he desir
ON to be shot. The paper was oonfessls
that he (Wevil) had been improperly intima
with Mrs Hansen. The Doctor while not des
TO ing TO be shot still refused to sign the paper,
Of claring the allegations untrue and that the bu
ng, moss was very like q conspiracy. Then the
Of was struggle and the unfortunate Doctor W
a sI, efa 4ad An audaay