The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-06-30
Trip 10 Des Moines aud Back.

| DAY afternoon, IN one OF the comfortable ana
splendid Coaches of the Western Stage Co.,
having for con,pagnons du coyage Hon. 7.
Davis, of Dubuque, Col. Fitz Henry Warren
of Burlington, S. Mcfarland, Esq, j. r,
Grantham, and two others, of Henry County,
avery sociable and agreeable party. The
weather was exceedingly pleasant most OF
the time going and returning. Took supper
a good one, the first night at the Amos House
Eddyville; laid over at the Needham House
first class Hotel at Oskaloosa; started at
A. M. and rode to the beautiful town of Pella
for breakfast dined at station IL miles
from Des Monies, and reached the Capital
about 6 o'clock Tuesday evening, after de-
lightful ride, through a charming country
over an excellent road. Found the Des Moines
City, which left Ottumwa few minutes be.
fore us, had not arrived. Found the City
then full to overlooking, squeezed ourselves
into the Everett House, where we were well
accommodated, Notwithstanding the JAM
The Des Moines City arrived with 2O6 ad
ditional Delegates about dark the same eve
ming; the Clara Hine early the next morning
with an additional number.
Spent the first evening and morning be-
fore the Convention, in looking around the
City. Liked the situation very much
thought it one of the finest sites for town
in the Site. Rising gradually from the
River to the summit of moderately elevated
bluffs, affordng ample space nearest the
riv r. for business structures, trade and com.
merce, the higher ground, covered with trees
and shrubbery, furnishes charming spots
for residences. Including both sides of the
river, the area occupied is some two by fou,
miles. There are q, lite number of fine
blocks on the west side, and several on the
east. The Capital is in the right spot, al
though the west side would be more con
venient for some years. A good bridge spans
the river, from which a wide avenue, over
flowed we should think at times, leads di
rectly to the Capital grounds, about one
mile distant, on an abrupt elevation, com
mending a fine view in every direction ant
a great distance. .-.. t......
The Capital building, temporary one
is substantial Brick Edifce, four stories
in height, in which, besides the Legislative
Halls, are the various State offices, the SUI
preme court room and State Library, which
contains very creditable collection of books
for new State.
On the morning of the Convention, ou1
Delegation which was found when all had
reached the ground, to consist of j. w. Cal.
dwell, DR.. j. G. Hinsey, James Hawley, A
II. Griswold, James D. Devin, John E. Gil
laspie, F. R. Manning and J. w. Norris, met
and compared views, and they did the bes
they could during the day to carry them out
The proceedings in another place, give
the result in full, except the names, which
are deferred until corrected list is received
The Republican Convention was great
success, a glorious reunion of live, whole
souled, enthusiastic. Republicans from al
parts of the State. They had good time
generally, formed mutual and agreeable &C
quaintances, and laid in such quantity O
good feeling, faith and confidence, that they
will set the prairies on fire as they penetrate
on their return home every portion of the
State carrying with them every where the
prestage of certain victory.
We attended both Conventions. The Dem
ocratic was held in the Capital. II was com
posed of the same old set, the central wire.
pullers of the county cliques, whose interes.
ting physiognomies have been seen at sim.
liar gatherings, time whereof memory of mar
runs not to the contrary. An anxious, ner
vous, hungry set of ex-office-h holders, ex
Judges, Lawyers, and specula sors, they were
to be sure. There were Gillaspy, Gaylo d
johnson, Will Tomllnson, Thompson, Eads
Ben NJ. Samuels, Mahony, ed i'd om,,e genus
By dint of careful packing they succeeded
in excluding friends Of the Administration
almost entirely, and consequently harmon
lied. Their platform (for which we hav.
diligently enquircd to print this week, but
couldn't get hold Of, but we heard it read ir
Ben NJ. Samuels best defamation style) viii
be found the great achievement of modern
times; the happiest effort in using words
to conceal ideas, piece of mosaic work, con
tanning marble from every political quarry
except the Democratic, in relation to which
it is neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, unless thu
latter be spelled with a.
As to the candidates, all we can now say
is, that they are, for the most part, very re
spectacle and worthy old fogies, personally
but almost without an exception, unsuitet
to the Offices for which they have been nom
mated. Gen. Dodge has been absent fo
years, and had not returned at the time hi
name was used as dernier resort to save al
unpopular and dissoving organization. N,
one dared to assume the responsibility O
placing him on such a platform, not even Gil
laspy, famous as he is for supplying doubt
full statistics, and answering for absent can
didates. He could only say that Dodge wa
sound on the goose! Mason is fine man
no doubt but his practice, for long time
has been in the Patent Office, not in tn
Courts of Iowa. Babhitt we are told, ha
| ceveral very fast race-h Int that don