Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-11-20
Letter from the Junior Editor.

conception of the distress and misery N a
large city. Daily are seen cases, The
most pitiful, wandering through the streets.
But then there are many too, who make II
L business of begging aims, and no one
knows where to best0w charity de-
servedly. Some Of these female beggars
sit upon the curbstones or in a promi-
nent place where they attract attention, witt
innocent babes in their arms. They are
mostly professional beggars, and many have
been discovered 10 own property amounting
20 thousands Of dollars, yet they prefer
making miserable appearance 10 the pub
lie to engage their sympathy and patronage
Merchants generally complain on ac'
count Of not doing the same amount oi
business they have been accustomed TO dc
within the last ten years. They state thai
tie sales this season have been very light
that country merchants are over cautious
in LAYING in stock, but all acknowledge
that business generally is improving. The
country merchants knowing and under
standing the depressed condition OF thf
country, understand, perhaps, the state o
affairs in their own vicinity better than the
nrincely merchants. who are ever ready tc
force their line of trade TO make fortuna
in a short time, and then spend the balance
oftheir DAYS in ease. Country merchants arc
not 20 be caught in that trap, and are most.
iycontent with profits sufficient to obtain q
livelihood. At least | have never heard oi
many of our country merchants retiring
with princely fortune.
IL is a singular fact, too, that but ie"
establishments in this city are carried on
successfully by men who bave been raised
and educated in the city, or in other words,
who make their fortunes. In every large
establishment is found, perhaps. one OF
two Of the firm educated 10 the business,
who do all the bnying Of stock. Bui
there are few who are successiulln selling,
and we find all the statesmen, generally,
Young men from the country, who really
establish the trade at small salaries. Many
would do far better by remaining in the
country. TO pursue agricultural pursuits.
Here there is but little money saved,
aud the labor performed by those clerks is
apt 10 break down their constitution, and
in few years. thei. strength leaving them,
hey sink in their graves.
The people in the city live half upon eX-
element Every morning the papers are
sought and all day their contents are dis
cussed. In fact there appears TO he less
originality Of ideas than there is in the
country. Newspapers mould the mind,
and from boyhood up but few raised in the
ciIies have any conception of original ideas
about anything. except some among the
laborinc classes. The most original ideas
advanced in business, mechanical arts, &c.,
originate from persons coming from the
country, and who pay little attention TO
ihe daily sossips occurring throughout the
r.ty.
Within lew days everybody talked
about Father Gerderman, 4 German
Catholic Priest, who lately had been rcceiv-
inc large amount Of funds from his con-
creration under the pretence of paying of
the Gebt Of tie church, and then suddenly
denounced the faith, giving as reason
that be did not believe III the isiallibihty
Of the Pope, married a fair lady and was
making for Europe. lie was oyertaken at
Baltimore and brought to this city yester-
dav. A larae crowd assembled at the Po-
lice station, among them 4 number OF old
women who were not little vociierous in
their denuncia,ions of him keeping their
money. The Priest had hearing and
gave bail in $4,000 for bis appearance at
court.
On Tusday there was quite display OF
military The City Troops Centennial
Anniversary was celebrated by parade Of
the First Division National Guards, in
which the city Troops took part. They
were received in front Of the Acade-
my OF music by Gov. Hartran!t. As the pro
ression passed the State House a peal of
100 strokes was rung from the State House
bell. The Washington statue on Chestnut
~. was tasteluly decorated with wreaths
and flowers, and a white wreath bearing
the inscription '.l774, 1874" and on a
small card First Troop, Phia. City Cav
airy" Along the line Of procession a pro-
fusion of bunting was displayed at private
residences and business places.
The seni-aunual session Of the Grand
Encampmeut, !. o. of Q. F., took place on
Monday at . O'Clock, =. NJ, at the Odd
Fellows Hall, on Sixth street. The G.. p,
John Curtis, presided. There was fair
representation from the various sections of
the jurisdiction present. The reports OF
the Grand Patriarch, Grand Scribe and
Grand Representatives to the Grand Lodge
of the United States, were read and consid-
cred. Nominations for the grand body
were made, the election for which takes
place in spring next. \ pleasant feature
Of the session. was a visit Of the =.
6. Sire, Fred. G. Stuart, Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia F; Assistant Grand Secre-
tary OF the Grand Lodge Of the United
state. Theodore A. Ross. Of New Jersey
and G. Representative Spear, Of the Mary.
land jurisdiction. Remarks were made by
each of the brethren in relation 10 the work
Of the order and ia successful pT ogress
throughout this as well as tie European
Continent. Prior 10 closing, the j. 6. Sire
ezempliGcd the unw.itten wolk Of the Or
der, at the request Of the assemblage.
The Grand Lodge |. o. o. +. Of Penn,
eylyania commenced their semi-annual,ses
-ior on Tuesday at Sixth and Cressor
streets. Grand Master Isaac \. Sheppard
presiding. The report Of the Grand Mas
ter showed that the following lodges had
been instituted since the last meeting
Metal Lodge, No. 5s4, TaDneltsburg
franklin county.
Rustic Lodge, No $50, Prospect, Butler
our Lodge. No. $50, Pttsburg, Ale
-hany.