The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-11-25


or pleasure.
The citizens of Oskaloosa and Mahaska
county are energetic and en,erprising, and we
anticipate, that, having at last got on the
right track, they will go ahead, and make the
Ottumwa and Oskaloosa Railroad fixed fact.
1t will require some exerton, and considerable
means. OF the former they have an abun-
dance, and the latter doubtless can be had for
so promising A project. We say to our neigh
bors then, go ahead, agitate the subject, get
up the steam, and you viii succeed. We will
venture, so far to anticipate the result of their
efforts and exertions as to place the Oskaloosa
Road on the list of roads centering here, and
shall look for its ultimate completion with
confidence.
There is only one thing which will be like
ly TO embarrass our friends in the prosecution
Of this enterprise, and that is the satisfactory
adjustment Of conflicting claims OF rival points
on the general route for the location of the
road. Already, in the very outset Of the
movement, the City IF Eddyville, through the
columns Of the Commercial, puts forth strong
arguments in favor Of that place as a point,
arguments which will doubtless be met by
equally strong ones from Kirkville on the
more direct and smoother route With these
discussions it will not become us, being the
terminus OF the road, to interfere. Whichev-
er route is selected, we suppose it will con-
stitnte section Of the Keokuk & Des Moines
Road, as two roads so near together would
hardly pay. If road by either route can be
built by the time the KeoSuk road reaches US,
it would constitute an important link IN that
r 'ad, extending it that much further towards
the centre of the State and Minnesota.
THANKsGrvING.-This is the day selected
and recommended by the Governor of this
Safe as day of Thank sgivng, and we trust
that it will be duly observed by our citizens.
Public exercises. we presume, will be held in
the several churches. A sermon, suggested
by the occasion, will be delivered by Rev. B
A. SPAuLDrNG, at the Congregational Church
at IL O'Clock A. NJ, and doubtless discourses
will also be delivered at other places Of wor-
ship, but we are not authorized to announce
atty others.
The custom Of observing ore day near the
close Of the year, after the harvest has been
gathered in, as day of Thanksgiving to the
Almighty, is coevai with the existence Of many
states, and it has now become universal. 1t
is beautiful and appropriate custom for
christians. tits we'll once in year, for fam
lilies to return, so far as practicable, to the old
homestead, to review together the mercies and
blessings Of the year, and renew the fires Of af-
fection upon the altar where they were first
kindled; and it is well and profitable for COM
munties by such public act to acknowledge
their dependence upon, and obligations to that
Being, who causeth the grass TO grow and the
Earth to bring forth OF her abundance; who
has given to us this beautiful country for a
habitation, who fought our battles for us,
and hath sustained us thus far in our onward
career as free people.
Let us therefore, in response to the sugges-
ton of our chief magistrate, by fitting and ap-
propriate exercises, at cur several places of
worship, observe and honor this day, recog-
MIXING our dependence upon the Supreme Be-
ing, the Oliver of every good and perfect gift.
We hope our readers, one and all, have much
to be grateful for. We hope good health ha.
been enjoyed by them the past year, that no
misfortune has darkened their pathway that
their barns are all full and their gamers all
running over, and that plenty impress joy, glad
ness and thankfulness in every one of their
hearts