Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-01-26
"Nlore Nice than wise"

"MOre Nice than WISE
lisa tri,e say ing, bu: with how much
truth will it apply to the actions of men,
when sometimes governed by no higher
principle than that OF self interest and
worldly adula,ion. On the evening of
the 10Th inst, pursuant to Lorice, large
and respectable number of the citizens
Of this place and vicinity. assembled al,
the Cour. House. TO hear speeches from
Messrs Hofnish and Farmer, the accred-
tied agents of the Keokuk and Fl. Des
Mones Rail Road. They did not as
semble there, however, as the avowed
friends of that project. bu. were dispos-
ed to listen in respeci(ul and becoming
manner, TO whatever those gentlemen
might in their wisdom please to say Of
the advantages Of the peculiar projec,
they had in view. They were well &C.
quainied with this fact, bu: in spite of
this they were disposed to force upon
our people, the ui,imatum of either TAX
ing defensive or offensive ground in
regard to the road. Claiming to be free
agents. and weak in point OF popuIa.
,ion and wealth though they were. they
claimed their RICH, 10 act in such manner
as best accorded with The peculiar posi-
ton in which we as community are
placed. Those gentleman, however,
claimed that an 0rganizdtion was due
them as individuals, as a mark of respect!
Yielding to their solicitations and feel.
ings Oh the subject. motion was made
10 call Thomas Sinnamon, Esq. Zone of
our mos. prominent, and es,imable CHI.
zens, to the chair; but these gentlemen
not deeming Esq Sinnamon respect
able man enough TO preside when they
addressed the people, they Withdrew
from the meeting with precipiiancy. and
as we learn in anger! Alas, we know
are an outside, barbarian set, out we
never knew we were so esteemed by
those bearing SO close an affinity to US as
citizens of Keokuk! After the with.
drawal of the gentlemen, above referred
TO, our citizens took such actions as ac-
corded with their feelings on the subject,
and by the sentiments expressed and EN-.
bodied in their resolutions will stand or
fall.
We know, as it has been cast up to us,
that Ottumwa is not The whole State,
bu. it is component part thereof, its
citizens have their peculiar interests To-
cally, and as they are not excluded in
our charter of freedom from civil rights
there granted to them, are bound to de-
fend AMI nphold them; and no foreign
Influences. 40 ! her how strong. if they
% not accord m our interests. can
force Us to surrendS them! And while
We claim this priv ege for ourselves. we
- freely accord the same rights to all
other places o. portions Of our count,
or State, whose peculiar interests are no.
in unison with our own.
Ii i folly in Keo1ek, or citizens Of
Keokuk . Try 70 divertouf ssssssiep from
~ fact that il i moi the interest n this
place, or > majority Of tho sisiss0eRf
The county to engage in any more 81
5oad prejects. unless j. be some onethos
affords Us communication where Ne
have now none, nor no i.ninediaie pgos-
rect Of one. unless we build il ourselves.
To speak more plainy. we consider
The River improvement as morally GER
Tain Of being completed; that our East
eIn road 10 Burlington il rendered no
longer doubtful project; and that nov
or interest dictates to US az comment.
ii and people, to seek more direct
Southern communication by Railroad
before we join in with project Of 20
doubtful q character as the Keokuk nd
Fort Des Moines Road. These ~ be.
lieve TO be the sentiments Of - ority
Of the citizens Of this county, and we
speak them without fear.
That there are posiDons, or portion
of our county that u interested in the
Keokuk sa11 sIe1ill no. deny. They
have the right to advocate its claims and
further i,s Interests by all honorable
means in their power, tie same as they
had to oppose and try to put down q
prcjecs in which majority Of the ciii-
zens Of the county are interested. and
have voted 20 promote. Each portion
Of our citizens. then. knowing their
rights. should not hesitate to advance or
defend them, but should accord to each
oshes free and unbiased action.