The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-09-17


A Solemn md Impressive Scenov
now PHILADELPHIA RECEIVED ras GOOD xsws.
The PHILADELPHIA North Anriesn, ode
ly says:
I'm Independence Square yesterday go.
a sigh. Philadelphia never before witnessed +
never may again. The tidings Of the pro.
gress Of the Union arms brought Il about.
When first promulgated, large number Of
the members Of the Union League met cois-
cidently at the League rooms. The throng
! increased until the place was nearly filed.
The people everywhere had left their placei
ofbusiness, and the members ins. inctively
sought the League house for mutual con.
graduation.
ut was pr roposed that something moss
than an informal recognition of 40 bountiful
blessing of victory should be made, and
the gentlemen present took steps to make is.
3rgeld's band Of for ty.six instruments
was secured, and with this at its head the
Union League, headed By the Rev. Kings-
ton Goddard and Rev. DR.. Brainerd, moved
down Chestnut Street to Independence
Square, keeping step to the glad strains sfna
tonai airs.
"As the end ofthe line reach cd the square
all uncovered The line filed to right and
left, when charles Gibbons ascended the ,
steps Of Independence Hall. The concourss
Of the people that now poured into the square
was thousands in number.
Mr. Gibbons made brief address. he
said that this day the beginning Of the end {.
is in view. Tho rebels are losing their
strong holds, the cause Of the Union il ap.
proa ,hing it- tinal triumph. Hs drew a.
picture Of what we were as nation. what
We are, and what, in Gods providence. We .
shall be. He spoke briefly, and 30 ,hs
point. and his speech was vocifsrously cheer.
ed.
Rev. DR.. Brainsrd now barred his hsa d.
and every man present was uncovered A
hush fell upon the densely crowded as,su,-
|
was raised. and an invitation given to the
multitude to follow him in rendering thanks
to Heaven for its many merciss, and for
crownns the arms of the country with vic.
tory.
Amid profound silencs, DR. BrSinsrd
gave praise. He thanked the Almighty for
the victories that were now Growing our
arms. II, bad cha.teneL us in hia
displeasure. and alike in that Christening, @
now in the blessing upon onr work, he rse-
ognizcd the hand of the Omnipotent. He
implored the Divine blessing upon the
country and its people-that religion, and
truth, and justice might take the place of
pride, and arrogance, and vain glory, and
that this psople might. recognise 10 every
even, Of life the ruling Of Divine power.
He prayed for the President and Cabinet
for the continued success Of our army, and
| for the restc ration of our nrt ional unity for
liberty to the oppressed for freedom 70
Worship God everywhere, and for the csm.
ming Of the day when His kingdom shall
extend over the whole earth
"When at the close of his prayer the
Christian minister pronounced the word
"Amen r. the whole multitude rsversntly
and solemnly repeated Amen
awhile this PRAYER was offering. the basd
silently disappeared. A. the final word Of
the supplication was pronounced, strain of
sacred music burst forth from overhead.
The band had assembled to State House
steeple, and there played, with effect that
no tongue can adequately describe. tho ais
Of Old Hundred.
Spontaneously a gentleman mounted .
post, and started the melody to shs
words
Praise God from whom all blessings fow.' ;
The whole multitude caught it up, and
doxology was sung with majesty that
Philadelphia never before heard. Every
voice united. Rev DR.. Goddard then pro-
nounsed the benedction, and the vast AUDI
encs again covered themselves and slowly
dispersed. The whole scene was remsrka.
bis II was q touching illustration Of the
fact that down deep in every mans heart.
no mstter what may be the utterancs Of
his lip, or his daily walk and conversation.
thsre is . recognition Of the fact that the