The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-28
HOME MATTERS.


During the past two weeks there has been
quite . stir among property holders in Ottawa
particularly among those Of East Ottaws--over
contemplated changes Of ownership of property,
and never before in the history Of Ottaws has
there been for sale 80 much frst-class property,
suitable for the erection Of fine residences upon,
or on which good, comsaodious houses were
already erected, as at the present time; and
with but few exceptions this property is offered
at a much lower figure thanlas favorably located
property in any of our neighboring cities would
readily bring in cash.
We claim and justly, too, I think to be a
city of aine thousand inhabitants, located near
! the centre of the most fertile and populous
county Except Cook in the State that our
other local advantages are superior to most and
inferior to mono of the inland cities of the west
that our schools and churches, for number, size
and architectural beauty, as we'll & Tor good
management and discipline, compare iavorably
with any of our sister cities; Il It We have more
wealth and more eminent mrn ran our rivals;
and still two-thrds OF our fire lass residences
and locations for residences are f,r sale ut ruin
ously low prices, and one-third of our population
wishes to emigrate. We can't hey but think
something is wrong. And it behooves US to Look
| about us and, as we have enumerated some of
the advantages of our favored city, TO ascertain
if there are not some few desiI able things that
We have not got, or some features in our general
organism that are not particularly attractive.
We certainly cannot claim that we have well
paved streets or fine, well kept parks, over
Swallowed with elms and naples, or that we have
many buildings with attractive fronts, or many
dwellings that present a clean, neat and tasty
appearance 10 passers-by, or many manufacturing
establishments, or many inducements for others
to come. We certainly cannot claim to be very
hospitable people, as we have been long time
without suitable hotel, and are not forward in
extending the welcoming hand to new corners. "a
l am afraid we lack that feeling of interest
and pride in cur city which, coupled with enter
prise vigor and will, is SO necessary for the adj
vancement OF any city or people. 1 am afraid
we lack five men in Ottawa that really believe
that the new hotel and like enterprises will be
success, and then have the will and inclination
to do the work necessary to make it success
prosperity of our neighbors and desire to make
that interest beneficial to them, and that we lack
sociability, through which that interest is made
manifest. l am afraid we lack five ladies II
hope to be pardoned for this who can organize
sewing society and run it successfully for six
months, to the mutual pleasure and profit of all
the members; or five men that can pleasantly
meet and unite, without discord or want of bar.
mony, in starting an organization to procure us
Lac hos v1no 4
then have the will to do it. / cannot but think
that We need all Of these-pride and interest in
our city, sincere interest in the prosperity of
each inhabitant thereof, and sociability--that
this interest may be made manifest, and as re-
suit thereof We have harmony in all we do or
unity Of action, which, with enterprise and the
will to do, will accomplish many things now
considered impossible, and secure us happiness
and prosperity, and either reform or keep at a
distance unpleasant neighbors and make proper
ty In Ottawa worth twice its present value.
And 1 would here add am not one of those
that are hopelessly in despair over the present
condition OF affairs or prospects of noble little
city. Ottawa must have a future. Its advan-
tages overbalance its disadvantages and are per-
manent, and its bad and repulsive features can
be remedied and will be remedied, or l am much
mistaken in the latent viii, vigor and enterprise
of its people, which will soon be reused and
iuahiiesl itseAI, through want OF lear OF q city
debt through a united action in giving us rail-
road water power, and a city equal to any
inland city in Illinois And my advice would
be, to all in need of home, and every person
is in need of one that has none,) to buy in Otta-
wa, and to buy at once, while prices are low;
and after all the present pleasant locations are
taken up and the new owners become settled, it
will certainly be good time that all matters
appertaining to our prosperity and advancement
be properly agitated and put through with
will. -.