We have just received a new paper, published at Greencastle, Pa. We will write its name; but we are not without our fears that we might break our jaw if we should attempt to pronounce it. It is not exactly the fever and ague, though it produces a chill when we think of its Editor who was Mr. Rigdon's right hand man until Mr. R.'s virtue set him crazy. But the name! Coacontague -- No! "Conococheague Herald." We have tried to pronounce it until our tongue feels like a cork screw. But our devil has just explained the whole affair. He says it is the grand key word that Rigdon introduced in his memorable sermon from these words: "Ye shall see as ye are seen, and know as ye are known." delivered near Chambersburg. The Herald is published by Ebenezer Robinson & Co., and is of the milk and water order, if we have translated its head correctly.


Note: About 150 of Sidney Rigdon's followers moved to the region of Greencastle, Antrim twp., Franklin Co., Pa in 1849 and established there a farming and manufacturing community. The Conococheague Herald (first issue published on Sept. 19, 1849) was owned and operated by Elder Ebenezer Robinson and was probably printed upon the same press that had previously issued forth Rigdon's Messenger and Advocate at Pittsburgh. Robinson's paper was the precursor to the modern Echo-Pilot published at Greencastle.

Cause for which William Smith was
excluded from the Church!

It is the law of the church that its members shall pay over one tenth part of their property which they may have at the time they join the body, and annually thereafter, one tenth part of their increase. This is called the law of tithing. This tithing is appropriated for the benefit of the poor, for public purposes, &c. The temple at Nauvoo was built by the tithing of the people. After the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the Twelve came into power, and they formed the council that were to apply this tithing, or to create a bishop to apply it. William Smith was, at that time, nominally one of the Twelve, and he claimed that it was his right to have one-twelfth part of the tithing set off to him, to be appropriated to his own individual use, or in any way that he thought proper. This was not allowed any one of the Twelve; and he was the only one that ever asked or expected such a thing; and we were conscious that none but a prodigal in every sense of the word, (which we considered him to be,) would indulge such a wish. This being positively denied him, he went up to Galena and published there, or at some other place, a pamphlet, in which he laid out many false and grevious charges against the whole Twelve; but more particularly against Elder Brigham Young. This pamphlet was read in part to a large collection of people in the Temple, and he was then and there excluded from the society and fellowship of the church by a unanimous vote of the entire body, whom were assembled, almost the entire authorities of the whole church. To present the cause of his expulsion from the church in a few words, it is this. A wish to appropriate the public funds of the Church to his own private use -- for publishing false and slanderous statements concerning the church; and for a general looseness and recklessness of character which ill comported with the dignity of his high calling.

---

Satan Shooting Himself.

William Smith has procured the publication of the following, which he asserts is the oath sworn and subscribed to by all the principal Salt Lake Mormons:

"You do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, his holy angels, and these witnesses, that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith on this nation, and teach the same to your children; and that you will, from this time, henceforth and forever begin and carry out hostilities against the nation, and to keep the same intent a profound secret, now and ever. So help you God."

If any person has taken the above oath, that person has violated it by divulging it; and if he has broken such an oath, can his word be relied on when he swears to its truth? Again; if the hostile intention against the United States is to be kept a profound secret, now and forever, according to that oath, how far could the Mormons carry hostilities against the government before they would reveal the secret themselves? If the Mormons would ever keep that intent a secret, we believe that the Mormons and the oath would be perfectly harmless; for if they once began to shed rivers of blood, and to make a bluster of opposition, their intent is not kept a profound secret now and forever. Again; when the Mormons were driven out of Nauvoo what was the first act of hostility against the nation, that they were guilty of? Och mon! do ye not know? Why, to raise 500 volunteers for Santa Anna to fight against Gen. Taylor. Can't you see how we have fulfilled the oath to the very letter? Answer a fool according to his folly, said Solomon: But to the point. We have before contradicted it, and we now say, that it is the very gangrene of revenge and malice. William Smith has proven himself unworthy the confidence of any upright and moral person. He was lawfully excluded from the Church in Nauvoo, as thousands of witnesses can testify in this country, and as the general church records now at the Salt Lake Valley will testify to any one who will search them. But it is no use to reason or talk about the affair further. The devil would not acknowledge, we p[resume, that he was legally and righteously expelled from Heaven; and if he thought that he could enlist the whole nation on his side to break down the Almighty, he would doubtless be as patriotic and as much attached to Republican institutions as William Smith. In the days of Solomon two women contended for a certain child: one was its mother and the other was not, and as they could not agree, the wise king of Israel called for a sword to cut the child in two and give half to each one. She that was not the mother sanctioned the proposition, while the other shrieked with horror at the idea of cutting the child in two. "Ah!" says Solomon to the latter, "the child is yours." So also with William, because he cannot be the ruler or leader of the church, he seeks to destroy it, and that too, by the most glaring falsehoods that disappointed ambition can utter. But we here predict that his influence will be of short duration, and his race will soon be run. He will come out and deny his present position, and those who may now be his friends, will become his enemies; and such as support him the strongest now, will turn to be the most potent against him. When these things come to pass, then know that he has most wickedly and maliciously lied against those who would rather be his friends than his enemies, if his conduct were such as to merit our friendship.


Note 1: LDS Apostle Orson Hyde appears to say, that if the Twelve had simply agreed to set aside one-twelfth of the church's tithing for William's needs as Patriarch to the Church, he would have been perfectly happy to have followed and obeyed Brigham Young, henceforth and forever. William's conflict with the Brighamite leadership was far more basic (and complex) than a simple argument over finances. Hyde knew this, of course, but he had no desire to open his newspaper up to public disclosures of what it was that William and the Twelve had argued over in private chambers, back in Nauvoo.

Note 2: It seems passing strange that LDS Apostle Orson Hyde was able to expend nearly 650 words of protest, over William Smith's allegations regarding a certain secret endowment oath, and, in all of that rhetoric, never once make the simple statement that no such oath was ever administered to Mormons, either in the Temple at Nauvoo, nor in the sacred apartments of Great Salt Lake City. The reason that Hyde was unable to issue such a clear, unequivocal denial of the oath, was the simple fact that many hundreds of Brighamites had indeed sworn such promises against the government of the United States. Since William Smith had probably not quoted the words of the temple oath perfectly and exactly, Orson Hyde was in a position to at least make a "lawyer's denial" of that precise text forming any part of the temple endowment -- however, the Apostle avoided opening up that journalistic can of worms in the columns of his quasi-official LDS newspaper. Instead, Hyde offers the hint, that William himself had gone through the endowment ceremonies, prior to his split with the Twelve, and that William could not have taken such an oath and then subsequently acted as he had in the months and years following that sacred event. This is a thin line of reasoning, to say the least, but in William's particular case it worked. William Smith was not about to admit in public that he ever personally uttered such an oath, to "avenge the blood of Joseph Smith" upon anybody. And, since William was known to make periodic attempts to rejoin the Utah Mormons, there was a good likelihood that either by words or actions, he would, sooner or later, effectively deny his own "grevious charges." Hyde's guess in that regard never proved quite true -- at least William did not rejoin the Brighamites, nor ever admit in the public prints that his accusations against the Utahans were false. Rather, William's prophetic mantle and religious confrontiveness were soon passed on to the fledgling "Reorganization." As for William Smith, as late as 1857, when the Utah Expedition was yet in the planning stage, and Johnston's Army was yet to be drawn together, William was still voicing his claims concerning the Mormon temple oath, Danite murder oaths, etc., etc.

The Iowa Contested Seat.

The Gazette of yesterfay discourses pretty largely on the article which it extracts from the Missouri Republican, in reference to Dan. F. Miller's claims to a seat in Congress. That article states that "Mr. Miller claims that he received 6,591 votes and Mr. Thompson 5,471 votes; and that he has a majority of 120 votes." Mr. Thompson endeavors to neutralize this majority and thus retain his seat, by declaring the vote of Kanesville illegal, and asks for a longer time to procure evidence. Mr. Miller, to avoid such delay, proposes that the committee lay all the papers before the House, accompanied by a resolution that the election be referred back to the people...


Notes: (forthcoming).

The Stolen Poll Books.

Everybody has laughed over the story of the borrowed kettle. While in possession of the borrower the kettle was cracked, and returned to the owner in a damaged state. The latter was obliged to resort to the law for redress. The plea set up by the defendant's lawyer contained three distinct specifications, viz: 1. The kettle was cracked when it was borrowed. 2. It was whole when he returned it. 3. His client never borrowed it. -- We presume J. C. Hall knew all about this story, and since the accidental finding of the stolen poll book, he has concluded to borrow the idea, and enter up the sam class of specifications in his defence before an outraged public. His late communication in the Gazette certainly amounts to this. -- He declares 1. That the Pottawatiamie votes were of no account when they were stolen, 2. "One thing was certain," he says, "that either the friends of Thompson or Miller must take charge of (steal) the poll book." 3. The poll book was not stolen at all....

Whatever the result may be in their attempts to cover up this iniquitous proceeding by hunting up evidence to prove that the Clerk refused to receive the returns and that Kanesville is north of Monroe county -- on which they rely to secure to Thompson his seat -- the plague-spot will still rest upon them. The evidence that the poll book was stolen, is too glaring to be made a joke of...

All we will now say to combat them is, that the acting Sheriff of Pottawatiamie did deliver the Pool Book to the Clerk of Monroe county, and that the locofoco leaders were electioneering with those same Mormons for their votes... The locos will hardly make a point of that while they know that it can be proved that certain loco foco leaders offered Babbitt one thousand dollars to go to Pottawatiamie to secure the vote for their party, besides the promises to others of surbeying contracts, and a certain ferry privilege to one Townsend by act of the Legislature, O, no, they will hardly make that a point, although they have taken testimony in relation to it. We shall be gald when the ninty days are out.

---

"Mr. Warren admitted, in a publication over his own signature, that he paid out a large sime of money -- some hundreds of dollars, if we mistake not -- to Pickett, to pay the election officers, &c." -- Gazette.

This renewed attempt to prove bribery on the Whigs, when it was all on the other side, is reiterated now to throw dust in the eyes of the masses and turn attention from the main question at issue. The question now is, who stole the Poll Book? The other questions about the boundary, right of the Mormons to vote, &c., have nothing to do with the criminality of stealing the poll book. They will be settled at Washington. All the money expended by Mr. Warren was one hundred and forty dollars. -- This was given to Pickett to pay his own expenses, and was voluntarily and publicly acknowledged by Col. Warren. It was no bribery. But it was bribery for loco focos to offer Mormon Babbitt one thousand dollars to go to Pottawatiamie and secure the Mormon vote for his party...

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A CASE FOR THE LAWYERS. -- An ingenious [casuist] in the Providence Journal wishes to be informed, supposing it to be true, as charged, that Brigham Young, of Deseret, the Mormon leader, has twenty-six wives, whether the establishment of this new and peculiar institution of polygamy or Brighamy in Deseret, would entitle Brigham to remove to Massachusetts or Rhode Island with his twenty-six wives? The Journal thinks it certain that, according to the Calhoon doctrine, he would at least have the right to carry them into any territorial government.


Notes: (forthcoming).

Begging pardon of the Mormons.

The letter of Judge Mason, which our correspondent furnishes is a real political gem. After keeping the stolen Poll Book in concealment, and being otherwise instrumental in showing his zeal against the Mormons, he now turns round, and asks their pardon, indicates that he did not mean to hurt them, and invites them to come into the locofoco fold again! Well, that's cool, isn't it? In vain is the net set in sight of any bird. As a neighbor, we like Judge Mason right well; but in view of such a political espistle as this to the Mormons, we cannot help exclaiming, in the language of another, "Truly Toadyism has riz."

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Correspondence of the Burlington Hawk-Eye.

                     Kanesville, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa,
                     March 20th, 1850.

The Mormon Vote -- Judge Mason --
"Honor to whom honor is due."

J. G. Edwards, Esq., -- Sir: You are aware that Judge Mason, of your City, is one of the counsel appointed by Thompson to impeach the votes cast in this county at the August election of 1849. It is sought to impeach these votes by showing that the Mormon population are not entitled to vote any where.

The object of this communication is to do justice to Judge Mason... The Judge has written to a prominent citizen of this county a letter, (brought I believe by Col. Hall, another of Thompson's counsel.) which does so much justice to the Mormon population, as well as shows his own equity of disposition, that it is tho't advisable that the same should be published, and I therefore send you a copy for publication.
                     Respectfully, Yours, &c.

The following is the letter referred to:

                                          Keokuk, Feb. 26th, 1850.
Dear Sir: -- The accompanying letter was written by Mr. Babbitt upon the supposition that I should go to Kanesville. Being prevented from making this journey by other engagements, I forward the letter of Mr. Babbitt, in the hope that it will be of some service to the gentlemen who make the journey. It is not desirable to do any thing more than prove the full truth. If this will give Mr. Miller his seat, I am perfectly willing he should have it. But, if as has been strongly intimated there were a sufficient number of illegal votes cast at Kanesville... to change the majorities and give the seat to Thompson, he ought to keep it. I hope you will follow Mr. Babbitt's recommendation and send delegates to the nominative conventions next spring....

I became satisfied when I was in Kanesville last fall, that many erroneous notions had been imbibed by our friends in this section in regard to the Mormon population on our western frontier. -- These have given rise to misunderstandings to which it is unnecessary now to allude. I hope they will not be known hereafter. I do not wish to hold out the idea that the democratic party will feel disposed to do any thing more than measure out strict justice to your people. But you are entitled to justice, and I hope you will receive it. I desire to see the people of the western frontier placed upon the same footing with all other citizens, and so far as I have any influence it shall be exerted to that end.
                   Yours,                    Charles Mason.


Notes: (forthcoming).

William  Smith.

This notorious profligate has published the following article over his own signature. He is surrounded by about a dozen men who are ready to manufacture evidence at his bidding to suit any emergency to which he may be driven. The increasing prosperity of our Church stings him so keenly that he finds it necessary to resort to Evidence of home manufactory to check our progress. It is all right. By the time he publishes a little more against the Saints on the strength of manufactured evidence, -- particularly things like the following, which every western man knows to be false, he will open the eyes of every person, and show himself in his true light; a poor degraded, miserable, debauched man. "The wrath of man shall praise the Lord, and the remainder of wrath He will restrain." The Saints shall see and acknowledge that his exertions against Deseret, shall turn to their good, and to his condemnation. Ye wise men at Washington City, mark what we have said; and when it comes to pass, come out to Deseret and see us if you can. We will not butcher you, if you will come, but give you our best "dodger," and "smoke the pipe with you." If this should not be convenient for you, remain in Washington City when our words come to pass if you can, We are accused of burning the Temple at Nauvoo by this notorious Bill Smith, the accuser of the brethren, when we were many hundred miles from it at the time. But it is all right. We give place to his article.

I am in possession of evidence that bands of these Salt Lake Mormons, armed, dressed and painted -- having the appearance of Indians -- are stationed on the way to California and Oregon, for the purpose of robbing the emigrants. Many murders and robberies have already been committed by these demons in human shape, which have been published to the world and attributed to the Indians.

The people at the Salt Lake govern their church by a secret lodge of 50 men. It is in this lodge that Brigham Young is crowned as a king, and is there seated upon a throne prepared for him.
                                          WILLIAM SMITH.

This said William Smith is in possession of no such evidence as he claims. We hold ourself in law and in equity bound to pay him five hundred dollars, on his producing good and substantial evidence that the Salt Lake Mormons are robbing, plundering and murdering emigrants in the garb of Indians; and we will do the same also, if he can prove that the Mormons at Salt Lake are governed by a secret lodge of fifty men; or if he can prove that Brigham Young is crowned king at all. The testimony of his crime steeped clan will not be admitted in this case at all; though we challenge him to publish that evidence, let it come from what quarter it may, that the Mormons are robbing emigrants. Bill Smith has followed lying so long, that if a truth should happen to get into his mouth, through mistake, he would let it drop as "quick as a dog would a hot potatoe." It was not the phosphorus that induced him to leave Strang's Church. Phosphorus is just as good [a] Holy Ghost as he wants if. in the light of that, he can only gratify his sordid ambition to gain money and power without the use of honorable means. He will not find everything to his liking, even in Texas, for any great length of time. Something will be out of joint with him there very soon if he goes at all.


Note: Apostle Orson Hyde was no doubt correct in his denial of the story that Mormons were dressing up as Indians and systematically plundering the emigrant wagon trains between Council Bluffs and Fort Bridger. Conflicts between the emigrants and the Mormons were few and far between -- at least until they reached the fringes of Brigham Young's domains. On the other hand, the modern reader can only wonder if Hyde's associates and assigns ever paid out the $500 he had promised to William Smith, after the Utah Mormon leaders finally admitted to the fact that a few of their overly zealous members did participate in such secret and horrific activities, during the latter part of 1857. As for the Council of Fifty, Hyde was correct in his insinuation that Brigham Young did not make exclusive use of that secret Mormon institution in his management of Church affairs in Deseret and abroad. Rather, President Young co-opted the means and motives of that secret quorum and superseded its mission with his own. personally directed ecclesiastical and geopolitical projects.

Bill  Smith.

This character, notorious for nothing but lying deception, laziness, intemperance and debauchery, has at length come to the end of his chain. Sheen, his faithful ally and co-worker, has turned against him. Because he has had a plain manifestation of his villainy and corruption too near his own home. We cannot have much sympathy or charity for Mr. Sheen, for he just as well knew Smith's villainy and corruption before as he does now. And when his lying slanders were poured out against the Church with mitigation, Mr. Sheen could then embrace him and it was "Br. William, Br. William, President Smith, &c., &c." But since this, Br. William has invaded his domestic circle, and the fangs of the minister pierced the fountain of his most sensitive feelings, he cries against Br. William! Ah! Ah, friend Sheen, remember "poor tray." You recognized this scoundrel as your brother, when he was lying against the church and slandering it; and we recognize him now as your brother and you as his. And you may thank yourself for the misery you endure.

The following prediction, concerning Bill Smith was published in this paper of February 6th, last. "But we here predict that his influence will be of short duration, and his race will soon be run. He will come out and deny his present position, and those who may now be his friends, will become his enemies; and such as support him the strongest now, will turn to be the most potent against him. When these things come to pass, then know that he has most wickedly and maliciously lied against those who would rather be his friends than his enemies, if his conduct were such as to merit our friendship."

The following from the Cincinnati "Daily Non-pariel," shows whether Bill's nearest friends have turned against him and published his private and confidential letters.

Wm. Smith -- The Imposter.

Eds. Nonpareil: The subjoined letter will show that the statements which the imposter, Wm. Smith, is now circulating concerning me are false, and will in some degree explain the cause of my renunciation of him and his Church. The iniquity spoken of in the letter is a vindication of adultery and fornication by Wm. Smith. He claims that he has authority from God to raise up posterity from other men's wives, and says it will exalt them and their husbands in the eternal world. His repentance is base hypocrisy, which he proves by his late conduct.
                                            ISAAC SHEEN.
Covington, May 20, 1850.

---

(STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL)

                                                  Shelburn, Lee Co., Ill., April 29, 1850.

Brother Sheen: -- Do not let the devil triumph over us now; we have done a good work, and a very small matter would destroy it all. Br. Sheen, I claim protection at your hand; If I have done wrong in any respect I am willing to make restitution to the last farthing. I claim a right of trial according to the law of God face to face; if I have committed an offence show me my error in a christian spirit -- not the spirit of a savage. I can do no more than offer my body and life as a sacrifice. I shall come to see you -- I must have a talk with you. As to the letter you refer to, like many others, it was written with a view of your correcting what was wrong in doctrine. I am not a good scholar, nor am I a good writer. You was appointed my counselor not to destroy me, but to save me by counsel, and counsel is what I ask of you; and then if I commit an error in judgment I will retrace my steps. Now, Brother Sheen, I ask you in the name of God to hold until I can see you. I will, upon my sacred honor, make all things right.

I was wrong, and confess my error; will you forgive me? I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. I have always esteemed you as an honest man, and have therefore entrusted you with my affairs and with my letters. I am more inclined than ever to favor your opinion about many things, yet it seems that I must learn by experience, and by the things that I suffer. I wish to do right, when I am made sensible of what is right. *  *  *  Now, Br. Sheen, I ask you again, give me a chance for repentance. *  *  *  Do not understand that I justify myself; no, not in the least. *  *  *  Brother Sheen, I want to see you now more than ever. I am determined by the grace of God to set my face against all sin, and do the full works of the law, God being my helper. I will do as I have said in this respect, if it takes my life. Every evil shall go by the board. I am resolved, so give me a chance, and I will do all that is in my power to reconcile your feelings. My letters, Brother Sheen, do not open them, but keep them safe for me. I do not wish that my wife should have the perusal of all my letters, She is easy excited; keep then those things sacred until I come. I hope that none of our difficulty will be named to her; that all may remain in quiet. As to the letter on marriage, I wrote it when I was quite sick, and I wish you to correct the errors, if any, and do it for my good and not for my injury. I can do no more than to offer my life as a sacrifice, which I am willing to do, and claim your protection.
                                          WILLIAM SMITH.

---

In the Guardian of April 17th last, the following concerning Bill Smith was published. "The Saints shall see and acknowledge that his exertions against Deseret, shall turn to their good, and to his condemnation. Ye wise men at Washington City, mark what we have said; and when it comes to pass, come out to Deseret and see us if you can. We will not butcher you, if you will come, but give you our best dodger, and smoke the pipe with you. If this should not be convenient for you, remain in Washington City when our words come to pass if you can."

The following from the Washington Union of May 17th will show if Bill's doings will not recoil upon his own head and condemn him; and whether his exertions against Deseret are not likely to turn in favor of the Salt Lake Mormons. It is our testimony before Heaven and earth that the sayings of the notorious villain against the Salt Lake Mormons, are the product of a malicious and revengeful heart. The spirit of falsehood alone has prompted him to do as he has done.

The Mormons.
_____

To the Editors of the Union:
  I shall consider myself under particular obligations to you, if you will have the goodness to give a conspicuous place in the Union to the note, of the Hon. Richard H. Stanton, of the House of Representatives, and of the Hon. Joseph R. Underwood, of the United States Senate, and to the accompanying extracts of a letter from Mr. Isaac Sheen, of Kentucky.     Respectfully yours,
                                           JOHN M. BERNHISEL.
Washington, May 16, 1850.

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                            House of Representatives, May 14, 1850.
Sir: It is proper I should submit to you the enclosed letter from Mr. Isaac Sheen, one of the signers of a petition which I presented to the House at an early part of the present session, remonstrating against the admission of Deseret into the Union, and charging the Mormon population of that Territory with immorality, treason and other crimes. Mr. Sheen, I presume, desires by this recantation to remove all prejudices against the interests of the people of Deseret which may have been produced by that memorial; and I know of no more effectual means of accomplishing his wishes than by publishing so much of his letter as may be necessary to show his withdrawal of the charges and his reasons for doing so.     With much respect,
                            your obedient servant,
                                  R. H. STANTON.
Dr. J. M. Bernhisel.

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                                    May 14, 1850.
Sir: Having seen a letter from the Hon. R. H. Stanton to yourself, in which you propose to publish, containing an extract of a letter written by Isaac Sheen, I deem it [best] to the Mormons in Great Salt Lake Valley to [state] that I have received a letter from Mr. Sheen of the same purport with that addressed by him to Mr. Stanton. You are authorized to publish this statement, should you think proper to do so.     Yours respectfully,
                            Your obedient servant,
                                  J. R. UNDERWOOD.
Dr. J. M. Bernhisel.

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                              Covington, Kentucky, May 4, 1850.
Dear Sir: About 5 months since a memorial was sent to your address signed by William Smith and several others, to which my name was attached, remonstrating against a State organization for the people of Deseret. Now, sir, permit me to say that although I cannot fellowship the religious doctrines of the people resident there, known as Mormons, yet I have become satisfied that there are many false statements in that memorial, and also in the memorial of Wm. Smith and others from Illinois. It was my firm belief at the time that the representations of William Smith, on which those false statements were based, could be relied on; but I have ascertained that I have been greatly deceived in regard to his veracity. His complaints against the Deseret Mormons are unworthy of any attention. I cannot think of troubling you with a detail of all the disclosures which have been made concerning the hypocrisy, licentiousness, treachery, deceit, slanders, and lies of William Smith. *  *  *  I find that his accusations against the Deseret Mormons are the ebulitions of a malicious heart, and have been made by him to divert attention from his own outrageous villainy and licentiousness. I have been credibly informed that to the memorial which William Smith sent from Illinois he attached the names of persons who never authorized him to do so.     I have the honor of being
                            Your obedient servant,
                                  ISAAC SHEEN.
Hon. R. H. Stanton, Washington, D. C.


Note 1: Apostle Orson Hyde must have been overjoyed to receive the news that William Smith and Isaac Sheen had parted ways, after the disastrous Smithite church conference which was held at Covington during the first week of April, 1850. It is unclear whether Smith ever made it to Covington to participate in the conference, and the precise details of what transpired between those two men at that time have never been published, but Orson Hyde insinuated that William had inserted his debauched "corruption" into Elder Sheen's "domestic circle" in a seduction or molestation "too near his own home" for Sheen's comfort. In less Victorian language, President William Smith was being charged with a sexual indelicacy, perpetrated upon a member of the Sheen household in Covington -- probably with Drucilla Babbit Sheen, the Elder's wife. The telling statement from Isaac Sheen, is that William "claims that he has authority from God to raise up posterity from other men's wives, and says it will exalt them and their husbands in the eternal world." This sounds very much like the words Sheen had published in the Cincinnati Daily Commercial on May 22, 1850, that William Smith was a "hypocritical libertine," who, though he "has professed the greatest hostility to the plurality wife doctrine... on the 18th [of April]... told me that he had a right to raise up posterity from other men's wives. He said it would be an honor... and that they would thereby be exalted to a high degree of glory in eternity.... He offered me his wife on the same terms that he claimed a partnership in other men's wives." Sheen is not explicit in his letter, as to whether William Smith's legal wife, Roxie Ann Grant Smith, was ever present in Covington, to participate in such a holy wife-swapping program -- probably she was not. The most straightforward interpretation of Sheen's remarks is that he caught William Smith in the initial stages of a seduction (or learned of an earlier, consummated seduction) with Mrs. Drucilla Babbit Sheen, and that Smith offered Sheen similar intimate access to the person of Mrs. Roxie Ann Grant Smith, as a sort of celestial compensation. Three years later, William Smith would accuse Roxie of having been a Nauvoo initiate into "'seven degrees' in spiritual wifery," implying that the lady was a sort of John C. Bennet-style "sacred Cyprian." Prior to marrying Roxie, William Smith divorced a previous Mormon wife, in Illinois, on the complaint that she functioned as a "common prostitute."

Note 2: Apostle Hyde had sense enough, not to speculate in print, just how William Smith came to hold such unorthodox "religious" views on relations between the sexes. Given the fact that William's elder brother had once carried on an intimate, Priesthood-sanctioned relationship with Hyde's own wife, perhaps the LDS Apostle decided that the less said of such "sacred things" in public, the better. Roxie Ann Grant Smith's LDS brother was less reticent to relate such bygone adulterous amours in public; see his remarks of Feb. 19, 1854: If Joseph had a right to dictate me in relation to salvation, in relation to a hereafter, he had a right to dictate me in relation to all my earthly affairs... What would a man of God say, who felt aright, when Joseph... came and said, 'I want your wife?' 'O yes,' he would say, 'here she is; there are plenty more.' ... Did the Prophet Joseph want every man's wife he asked for? He did not, but in that thing was the grand thread of the Priesthood developed."

Note 3: It is difficult to believe that Elder Isaac Sheen suddenly felt morally compelled to renounce his previous accusations against the Utah Mormons, just because he had renounced William Smith and his church. True enough, Sheen could no longer hope to hold the moral high ground, in publicized denunciations of Brighamite spiritual wifery, secret combinations, and treasonable intentions -- but he might have at least stood his previous position in regard to Brigham's usurpation of power and to Mormon tampering with the mails in and around Council Bluffs. Sheen reportedly received a $1000 payment (in gold?) from his Utah Mormon brother-in-law, Elder Almon W. Babbit, just prior to his May, 1850 letter writing project. The modern reader might be forgiven for wondering aloud whether this Pillar of the Reorganization might not have lined his own pockets at the Smith family's expense, ten years before he nominated Joseph Smith III to be the first RLDS President, at the Amboy Conference.

STOLEN  POLL  BOOKS  AGAIN!!!

We are induced to refer to that thieving affair again, in consequence of certain friends of William Thompson having circulated the report that before Mr. Niller went on to Washington he was informed by Mr. Hall where the poll books were, and could have the possession of them if he desired them. -- This new coined lie is as bad as the original thieving and has no foundation in the printed testimony to rest upon....

Thompson has become so bold in has rascality, and his successful concealment thus far of the poll books, that he actually denied their existence before the Committee of Elections in the winter of 1849.... but on the 19th day of February last, Judge Mason, another of the attorneys of the sitting member in attempting to serve at his own office a notice on the contestant to take testimony in the case, accidently -- as is supposed -- served on him the original poll book of the Kanesville precinct!! [several paragraphs of similar material follow]

---

Locofoco Effrontery.

The Keokuk Dispatch intimates that it is out of place for papers in other districts to advocate the election of Miller. Now this is cool. Who began this interference between the two districts? Who stole the poll book? Who went on a pilgrimage from Burlington, District No. 1, and dictated to the Clerk what to do?... What shall we say about the famous letter of Judge Mason, of the 2nd District, to the Mormons in the 1st District? Or of the barefaced but locofoco applauded, interference of the famous Mormon would-be delegate Babbitt from Utah, in the late election of Council Bluff? ...

Our hope is that the "Stolen Poll Book District" may be redeemed from the odium that now rests upon it, by the election of D. F. Miller to Congress on Tuesday the 24th instant.


Notes: (forthcoming).

"POTTAWOTAMIE COUNTY."

Under the above caption, the Gazette of yesterday comes forth with a labored article, in hopes to prevent the citizens of Pottawotamie county from exercising the privelege of electors. This we consider the height of impudence, and the last resort of political knavery...

After a great flourish in defence of the right of A. W. Babbitt, Esq., to come from parts beyond the limits of the State, and having no interest in common with the people of this commonwealth, except perhaps, those common to the loco foco party; "the cohesive attraction of public plunder," and to interfere in the elections of this State; the editor goes on to say that that paper has always refrained from calling the Mormon population on our western border hard names. It has always advised them (they being mostly whigs) "not to interfere in State or Congressional elections. This he tells them is the only "safe" course for them to pursue.

The editor labors hard to show the people of Kanesville that Thompson is on their side in every thing, he had done many wonderful works, "proving to them in the most substantial manner that he was willing to aid them all in his power."

The article then winds up to reiterating its condition to the Mormons not to attempt to exercise the elective franchise at the coming election.... Following the Gazette's remarks is a circular to the citizens of Pottawotamie county, from A. W. Babbitt, endeavoring to disprove certain charges made against him in the Frontier Guardian, by Mr. Miller, the whig candidate for Congress in that district. It appears from the circulart before us, that Mr. Babbitt, has been charged with using certain language, disrespectful to the citizens of Pottawotamie county, and that it has been proven against him, yet he brings in rebutting testimony, and triumphantly refutes the whole charge. But how? -- In the same way in which a man proved himself clear of the charge of stealing a spade:

A man was brought before Justice _____ on a charge of stealing a spade, two credible witnesses testified that they saw him steal the spade. Upon which the Justice asked the prisoner what he had to offer in his defence. To which the prisoner answered: "I have here twelve witnesses, ready to swear that they never saw me steal it." The Justice said it was too clear a case to admit of doubt, twelve against two, and dismissed the case.


Notes: (forthcoming).

The "Warsaw Commercial Journal" is urging the priorpety of organizing a company, under a charter granted by the Illinous Legislature sveral years ago, for the construction of a Railroad from Warsaw, by way of Nauvoo, to Rockford, Illinois.

Notes: (forthcoming).

[first paragraph illegible] ... He attempted to do just what Miller declares that Babbitt said he would do. He tried to break Hyde down, and to frighten the boys in the office in various ways to prevent them from publishing...

If Miller, as a opposite lawyer, had to abuse Paine because he was a Mormon; most likely it was to counteract an influence that deserted friends had raised against him by calling him a Mormon: Or if this is untrue, Mr. Babbitt cannot be altogether a stranger to the fact that lawyers sometimes blow hot and cold according to the "size of the pile," and the interests of the client.

We now prophesy politically, not religiously, (for we will not desecrate religion so much as to lug it in here) that Mr. Babbitt will not again be elected representative of the people of Utah Territory, particularly after offering such a gross insult to the people as to recommend them to give their votes to the very man who is so intimately connected with that stolen Poll-book affair. Then it will be seen whether certain Senators in Congress will reject every measure of the people of Utah, if it does not come with the endorsement of A. W, Babbitt, Esq.., according to what his vanity has led him to intimate. How can he be a representative from Utah when he resides in Illinois, and never resided in Utah? He needs still to learn the Mormon Creed; "mind your own business!" and not to seek to divide the people of another's charge upon any subject, neither attempt, by threats or flattery to control the individual property of another in his absence; the Press. But Mr. Babbitt was angry because the boys would not hold still and allow him to break down Hyde and destroy his influence without opposition, according to "Dan Miller's" letter.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We are a little surprised to see this old, dead and buried fable resurrected again, and going the rounds of the papers. Well it reminds us of the return of the Sow that was washed to her wollowing in the mire again. The world, or at least the enemies of Mormonism or truth, are certainly hard up for a "weapon" before they would use such a flimsey self-evident falsehood as D. P. Hulbart's misconception of truth, to screen their sacerdotal position, even if Judge Campbell should say that the Rev. Solomon Spaulding was the author of the Book of Mormon, and we think that they must have considered well the words of the "Preacher" viz: that there is nothing new under the Sun. We consider Spulding's edition too old to be worth revising, and too rediculous to receive attention; but read the following from the New England Puritan, and the answer of Justitia" in the New York Tribune.

Author of the Mormon Bible.

The New England Puritan states that [at] a public meeting lately held in Cherry Valley Judge Campbell said:

"Rev. Solomon Spaulding, one of the earliest preceptors of the Academy of Cherry Valley, was the actual composer of most of what is known as the Mormon Bible. He wrote it during a period of delicate health to beguile some of his weary hours, and also with a design to offer it for publication as a romance. Dr. Robert Campbell, late of Cherry Valley, and foster father of the first Mrs. Grant, of the Nestorian mission, calling some years since upon Mr. Spaulding, had the manuscript of this notable book to be shown to him, and was also informed by Mr. Spaulding that he had hopes of reaping some pecuniary advantage from it for himself and family. Mr. Spaulding has been dead for some years, though it is believed that his wife is still living in the United States. How it passed from the possession of his family into the hands of Joe Smith it is probable that Mrs. Spaulding could tell."

Authorship of the Book of Mormon.

SCHENECTADY, Monday, Nov. 25, 1850.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE:

In your paper of the 19th inst., my attention was drawn to an article headed "Author of the Mormon Bible," wherein it is stated a certain Judge Campbell asserted at a recent public meeting, at Cherry Valley, that the Rev. Solomon Spaulding was the actual composer of most of what is known as the Mormon Bible, and that he (Mr. S.) wrote it intending to publish it as a romance. A Dr. Robert Campbell is stated to have seen this celebrated manuscript. Mr. Spaulding has been dead many years, but how it got into the hands of Joe Smith the writer of said article knoweth not, but it is probable Mrs. S. can tell. Now, Mr. Editor, I am very averse to public writing or speaking, but being a humble member of that much calumniated and grossly persecuted community, I cannot suffer the above erroneous statement to pass current in spite of its endorsement by Revs. Drs. Judges, and high sounding titles, without endeavoring to throw a little more light upon the subject than the author of the assertion is capable of doing.

In the first place I would say that the term Mormon Bible, in the sense used, is inappropriate, and proceeds from the ignorance or prejudice of the speaker or writer. The Bible of the Mormons is that in common use, containing the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, in which they fully and sincerely believe, as any person who has had any conversation with them or at all examined their doctrines, must be quite convinced of; that they are more consistent in the belief thereof might be also asserted. But herein they differ from the professors, they do not regard them as all the revelation of God to man, or that revelation is necessarily confined to bye-gone days.

As regards the Book of Mormon, they look upon it as a written revelation to another portion of the House of Israel on this continent, and equally worthy of our belief as the Bible with which it fully coincides in the expression of doctrinal truth. So much for that part of the subject which may dispel in some measure a very popular error.

As regards the main subject in hand, the Authorship of the Book of Mormon, there are various conflicting statements, and all backed by very reverend and respectable authority, and each asserted with equal force. First and foremost, it is attributed to the Rev. Solomon Spaulding, from whose possession as MSS. was obtained by some unknown process, and subsequently converted into the aforesaid Book. Again another report or affidavit, asserts that Joseph Smith was the author, and that he translated the plates, when they were in the woods, and he in the house, same as when he looked for the money diggers with a stone in his hat, and his hat over his face, and Oliver Cowdery acted as Secretary or Scribe. Here is an evident contradiction, but the latter statement is so extensively absurd as to deserve no attention. The former is more plausible. But facts and dates are stubborn things, and these will completely demolish the whole affair. The story was started by an infamous character named D. P. Hulburt, who was cut off from the Church for immoral conduct, and whose disappointed ambition prompted him to a wrongful retaliation. He heard of this romance entitled "The Manuscript Found," and thinking it would suit his malicious purpose, obtained it from Mrs. Davison (widow of Mr. Spaulding) to get it out of the way, under pretence of having it published, and so destroy the Book of Mormon, promising to pay her half the proceeds arising from the sale thereof. He then writes her that the Manuscript does not read as he expected, and he should not print it. Hulburt finding little or no affinity between the writings to cover his retreat, endeavors to make out that Sidney Rigdon, during a temporary stay in Pittsburgh, where Mrs. S. formerly lived, obtained the Manuscript, but there the dates disagree. Mr. R. did not live in Pittsburgh until 1822, and resided there until 1826. Mr. Spaulding wrote his romance in 1812, in New Salem, Ohio; removed to Pittsburgh, according to Hulburt's statement, the same year, and thence to Amity in 1814.

Mrs. Davieson says, in the "Origin of Mormonism," published by La Roy Sunderland, "At length the MSS. was returned to its author and we removed to Amity. The MSS. then fell into my hands and was carefully preserved." -- so that the only time Mr. R. could possibly have obtained it was between the years 1812 and 1814, for since that time it has been carefully kept by Mrs. D. until delivered to Hulburt. Mr. Rigdon was then a mere lad, far distant and engaged at home in agricultural pursuits, and moreover the Book of Mormon was not published until after an interval of eighteen or tweny years. Thus we see the publishers of the Book of Mormon had not the benefit of the Reverend novel writer's production, and it remains with Mrs. Davieson or Mr. Hulburt to bring it to light. They have or should have it between them -- bring it forth, publish it to the world as the Book of Mormon is published, and let us see the indetity of the two publications, or let the advocates of the imposture forever hold their peace, and invent a story that is more consistent and plausible.

Now, Mr. Editor, the imposition is transparent. The story is long since exploded, and will not bear investigation, and as my only object and aim is to expose a popular error, operating adversely to our community, against whom calumny and falsehood have been too generally disseminated by the pulpit and press, which have eventuated in hostile acts of bloodshed, arson and expatriation, I trust your natural feeling of justice and benevolence will permit the insertion of this statement in reference to the former published article.   Very truly, Yours,
                                                                        JUSTITIA.



Note: The Robert Campbell piece was reprinted from the New England Puritan into the Nov. 19, 1850 issue of the New York Daily Tribune and was responded to by "Justitia" in that same New York paper on Dec. 6, 1850

From the Millennial Star.

Remarks on the Book of Mormon.
_______

BY WILLIAM GIBSON.
_______

(from Sept. 15, '50 issue of The Millennial Star)

Notes (forthcoming)

Indian Depredations Again. -- Emigrants who encamp along and near the river, we are told, make presents to the Indians -- feed them, &c., thus presenting to them the very inducements they most desire, to continue their rambling on this side. A few days ago, they killed a number of cattle, and cut out what beef they wanted and passed on. We know not whether they were emigrants' or citizens' cattle. If men will not hickory them out of the country when they see them, we hope they will never complain to us if they kill all their cattle -- rob and plunder their houses and wagons. Emigrants should not feed them, neither suffer them to come about their camps, on either side of the river. Their own safety depends upon it as well as the safety of the property of the citizens on this side. Some of them got a hickorying in town a short time since, and if they will use proper caution at all ferries and not allow them to cross, and the citizens generally do their duty according to the resolutions of a Public Meeting for their protection, we shall not long be troubled with their depredations.

The Government Agents have all advised us to whip them and send them back when they come on this side; and when this advice is put in force, some persons are so very feeling and sympathetic for them that they feel almost like fighting in their behalf. If they would sympathize a little more with some poor widows whose last cow has been slaughtered by them, and several poor men whose entire teams have been butchered by the red skins, they would manifest some sensible sympathy to the cause of justice, mercy and truth. Bad as it may seem, therefore, our only safety is to flog them away when they come, until they will learn not to shoot down cattle on the prairie. The Government Agents have repeatedly told us to do it, and our experience proves it to be necessary.

Those who were flogged and run out of this place a short time ago, were run from their camp on the same day a little while before, and forced into Mosquito Creek. Several beef hides lay about their camp, skeletons of animals, &c. These same Indians are exhibiting recommends, purporting to be signed by several of our citizens, among whom was the name of Jos. Kelley, stating that they were good Indians, &c. We pronounce these recommends all a base forgery, so far as our citizens are concerned. The Mormon community have suffered too much by them to give them any letters of recommendation.

Emigrants are free in this region, and will not be molested in any way we trust, yet we do not consider them free to interfere in our mode of discipline with the Indians which was recommended by the Government Agents, and established by the unanimous vote of a public meeting held in this town by the citizens of this Frontier county. If emigrants are not disposed to profit by the experience of those who have lived among them, and near them for years, they may adopt their own modes of treatment when they get among them; but do not interfere with our mode here. When emigrants have had the same experience that we have, and suffered the same that we have suffered, they will feel about as we do. But we are sorry to see men who profess love for this community, espouse, so warmly, the Indians' cause and secrete them! All they gain by their traffic with them in moccasins, &c., will be like the canker and mildew upon their future prosperity, and not save them from a dishonorable close of their business. If men have so much disinterested benevolence for the Indians, just send them over a few beef cattle, a few sacks of flour, meal, &c. But do not induce them to come over to this side by giving them protection.


Note 1: It is indeed remarkable that this "Apostle of Jesus Christ," the highest ranking Mormon authority east of Great Salt Lake City, would make such an abusive verbal assault upon the very "red skins" who provided the fugitive Mormon "camp of Israel" with the location and natural resources with which to sustain themselves at their "Winter Quarters," only a few short seasons before. The Indians that the Editor, Apostle Orson Hyde, refers to were hunter-gatherers, used to ranging over large tracts of land in search of wild game and other food. Their right to cross the river in search of such sustenance had been granted by treaty. Laws were then in force to bring them to justice, if any of their number killed or appropriated the Iowa Mormons' livestock -- a foreseeable problem, in the case of hungry native people whose access to wild game had been drastically lessened with the passage of ever increasing numbers of armed, white emigrants through their tribal lands in Nebraska.

Note 2: It appears that Apostle Hyde had forgotten his church's earlier zeal to "restore" the rights and "inheritance in Zion," of the "Lamanite remnant of Jacob," and was suggesting to the Kanesville Mormons, that when these famished "red skins" came seeking "a loaf," to instead give them "a stone," a severe beating, and a one-way trip back into Nebraska Territory. It is doubtful, given his apostolic "counsel," that very many of the Kanesville Mormons elected to demonstrate individual "disinterested benevolence for the Indians," by freighting over to them any substantial provisions -- either as acts of charity, or in trade for the leather footwear and other hand-made items the local Indians were wont to supply as trade goods. Hyde's portrayal of the U. S. Government Indian Agents' purported advice, in this particular matter, does not appear to conform well with historical documentation. See General T. J. Sutherland's 1851 letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in regard to Orson Hyde and his illegitimate, abusive policies and churchly counsel.

STRANG, the Mormon leader of Beaver Island, was recently brought to Detroit on a charge of counterfeiting and trespassing on the public lands.

Notes: (forthcoming).

Warning.

As this is probably the last article that we may write previous to our departure for the City of Great Salt Lake, the spirit by which we are actuated, leads us to give the Saints a little caution.

On Friday night, May 30th, we dreamed a singular dream. A manuscript book was presented to us, about the size of common letter paper. It contained about three quires. It was legibly written, and purported to be a translation from that portion of the sealed plates found by Joseph Smith, which he was forbidden to disturb. We read it, page by page, in the vision of the night. It contained nothing very exceprionable; Nay; much of it was excellent teaching. but it was also shown us that it was a cunning trick of Satan's Ministers to cause the Saints to let go the "Iron Rod," or true Priesthood of the Holy One. We spoke of it to several of our friends, and told them that we felt confident such a depection would soon be attempted from some quarter; and on Tuesday, June 3d, we delivered quite a lecture in our "Sanctum" in relation to it, and spoke warmly, and with some emphasis. We told the listeners that if such a thing did not soon make its appearance, they might say that no confidence could with safety, be placed in our impressions. At about nine o'clock P. M.. of the same day, our Mail matter was brought into the Office, when Lo! and Behold; a proclamation from Gladden Bishop, of Kirtland, Ohio, was laid upon our table, announcing that he had obtained the said records, and many more also: His proclamation breathes the same spirit that we noticed in the Manuscript Book that we saw and read in our sleep. It contains many good things, -- sympathizes with the Saints -- takes their part, &c. But says; you must follow me, (Gladden.) Now before we can do all that he required us as an Editor, &c., we must first see the fruits of his alliance with Queen Victoria, according to his previous declarations.

The Saints should watch and pray that thry may not become the subjects of deception and imposture; and those who retain the spirit of the Lord, we are confident, never will. Pray also, that speedy Judgment from Heaven may come on all who give false revelations to deceive and beguile. Attend to your own business and duties -- to your prayers and blessings in their season -- to your labors temporal and spiritual while it is called to-day -- to your fastings before you are compelled -- to your alms while you have something to bestow; and help no man to make a calf for you to worship while your Moses is gone to the mountains to see his Moses.

Friend Gladden has had too many false revelations in by-gone times to be successful in his claims to greatness now. The Saints know him too well and his sicjening and foolish pretensions, to listen for a moment, to his vanity, wickedness, and folly. Gladden will not prosper. His revelations will not take with the Saints, neither will the consequences and curses be answered upon the head of any, but his own. Look at him, all who will; and behold an example! The Lord will make him a sign and a warning to all who may claim to have sacred things, and have them not, but do lie. When a man's abominations, falsehoods, deceptions and intrigues, stamp him with infamy, and render him a just outcast from the pale of all good society; and he attempts to re-instate himself by claiming great power and authority, by sympathizing with the Saints in their troubles, by declaring that he possesses many sacred and valuable things, will find himself sadly mistakeb, and his words will recoil upon his own head. One strong evidence of the truth of Mormonism is, the great exertions that are made by men and devils, through every stratagem. craft. device and oppression to overthrow it. But it moves on, and will continue to do so until all its enemies are confounded and put to shame....

---

From the Plains.

Our latest accounts from the Elk Horn River are rather more favorable than those contained in our last. Hon. A. W. Babbitt and company had left the place where they were surrounded by water on the Island, but met with some loss. Mr. Babbitt had the greater part of his paper damaged, by water getting into his wagon beds. Our readers will recollect that this is the paper he brought to Kanesville, to start in opposition to us, to vindicate his character, which he considered was in no small degree tarnished.

The last accounts received from Mr. B. and company say, that they were at, or near the Loupe Fork of the Platte, prosecuting their journey as well as they could. Upon the authority of an Orefon emigrant, who returned to this place a few days since, we here say; that three emigrants were downed at, or near the Elk Horn, while attempting to cross some sloughs, also one was struck dead by lighyning, but the names of those drowned, and the latter, we have not yet learned

The Church emigration from this place this season, has got along remarkably well, circumstances considered. We have not heard of any accidents or losses, sustained by any of them; upon the whole, we have every reason to believe that the adverse circumstances they have been placed in at first, will only render them more submissive, and more patient the rest of the journey.


Notes (forthcoming)

From Detroit we learn that the jury in the case of the United States vs. James J. Strang and others, for obstructing the United States mail, came into court with a verdict of "not guilty" as to all the prisoners. Under the charge of Judge Wilkins no other verdict could have been rendered. The prisoners, or some of them, still remain under indictment for depredations upon Government lands and for counterfeiting coin of the U. States upon which indictments they will be tried at the fall term, and in the mean time they will be released on bail.


Notes: (forthcoming).

COMMUNICATIONS.

For the Bugle.    
Kanesville, April 2, 1852    

Mr. Editor: Observing, in a late Savannah Sentinel, a correspondence between myself and the Rev. William Simpson of this town, and perceiving that my reply to his last letter has not appeared, I crave, this once, your indulgence, in allowing my reply to his last letter to appear in the "Bugle," as it is presumable that Mr. S. may not find it convenient to furnish for publication that document.

I should have no anxiety whatever to have this letter published, were it not for the fact that Mr. Simpson took the liberty and responsibility of publishing my other letters, without my knowledge, request or consent. It would seem that he felt our correspondence to be a matter of more importance than "childrens play" when he sent it for publication.

It is my candid opinion that Mr. Simpson never wrote the "Frog Sermon," neither any letter addressed to me over his own signature. I think I am prepared to establish this fact in the eyes of the :literati" by publishing "verbatim st literatim," a letter of his in my possession addressed to another person. But I think that he has suffered himself to become a tool or catspaw in the hands of a more learned, but less honorable man than himself, whose singularly sly and down cast look is not an index to the most elevated and capacious mind. Thus has he been led into a snare and left in the nett. -- This reminds me of the doings of another distinguished old gentleman who is said to lead folks into difficulties, but never helps them out.

The following letter is copied, in part, from memory, and may differ in a very few words from the original; but the sentiment is the same.     Truly Yours,

ORSON HYDE.    

---

Kanesville, March 24, 1852,    

Rev. W. Simpson -- Dear Sir: Your favor of yesterday is now before me. It is true, sir, that my relations disowned me or rather turned their backs upon me because that, for conscience sake, I became a Mormon. But the fountain of natural affection has not dried up in my breast, though the same may be true of my Methodist relatives. Joseph was disowned by his brethren and but little correspondence was carried on between them; yet this did not prevent the tide of natural affection from flowing through a brother's heart while excluded from his father's house.

So far as the Methodist doctrine and usages correspond with the Bible, so far I revere them for their own sake, and also for the sake of myself and my relatives. I have not slid over the strong points of your sermon; neither could I, if I would, from the fact that it contained no such points. Scurrility, low blackguardism and gross mis-representation are the main features in your sermon, and the congregation who have heard my expositions of it are satisfied of your want of a correct knowledge of the bible, or of a disposition to correctly apply the knowledge you possess.

I told you that I had been requested to publish my exposition of the "Frog Sermon" by several persons, and that if time and circumstances would allow, I might do it. I also stated that you might see the time when you would not be so proud to own the Frog Sermon as now. You wickedly intimate that it may be when the Mormons have gained universal sway, then you think that you may see hard times. -- "How can ye, being evil, speak good things?"

A moral rebuke, it appears, you cannot contemplate. It must be the infliction of some corporate castigation that alone can arrest your attention. I addressed you as an intelligent man. -- But if I am mistaken, your boundless charity will doubtless extend to me the indulgence and pardon that I crave. On this point I throw myself upon your mercy.

I bless my enemies when they are such ignorantly, and might say, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do," But the ancient disciples hardly left blessings upon the person, city, or people against whom they cast off the dust of their feet. I, indeed, may bless my enemies who are made auch through your misrepresentations; but, sir, I cannot bless you while you persist in your present course to my injury, unless I do it hypocritically for form's sake without faith or power; and in that case, it would be sin to me. "For what is not of faith [is] sin."

I know of no one who prophecied the death of Gov. Boggs, -- neither do I know of any emisary being sent to do him harm. Joseph Smith was charged of the latter offence, tried before the United States Court at Springfield Illinois, and was acquited. I was present at the trial. Rockwell who was accused, was tried in Missouri, but was acquitted. When men have undergone judicial examinations on charges of crime, and been acquitted, fairly and honorably, my mind is not narrow enough to screw down upon them the load of guilt and condemnation that some would gladly lay to their charge. -- You may draw such inferences and ask me such questions as you may think will best enable you to avoid your dilemma. But sir, you are involved whether you see it or not.

I have never taught, neither can you prove it, that this land all belonged to the Mormons and that you, Gentiles, were all to be cut off, either by God himself or by Mormon agency. This charge is as wicked as it is false. I utterly deny it. You say you have been a reader of the Guardian; but sir, you can never make me a witness to prove your false and wicked position. I have taught, sir, that the wicked who reject the truth, Jew or Gentile, will in due time, destroy one another, or be destroyed by the hand of Providence. "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and when Christ shall come to make an end of sin and bring in everlasting righteousness, you will be cut off if you are not like him, and I also. The true Israel of God alone will stand in that day, and the land will be theirs -- all theirs.

No person was ever cut off from our church for disobeying the counsel of its leaders, unless there was some violation of the acknowledged law of God coupled with that disobedience. -- Never has there occurred an instance, to my knowledge, in our church, in which any member has been re-baptized for being guilty of either of the sins you mention. Now sir, if you are that honest, happy minded man who is ready to yield any point when proven false, you will certainly make a confession here or point me to the instance wherein any person has been re-baptized under the circumstances you mention, or rest under the just imputation of falsehood yourself.

You say, "if any of them" (the Mormons) shall interrupt your concerns, you will hold me responsible. This is a little better sense than your other letter contained upon this subject. -- That said if you, your family or property was in any way molested, you would hold me accountable. This was not only unjust, but rediculous! Your last version is unjust but not so rediculous. A Mormon might possibly molest you or your property, and I be as innocent as John Wesley of any participation in or knowledge of it. But to show you that you took a low and sensual view of what you called "the Mormon curse," I here say: that if you, your family or property shall be wantonly and maliciously interrupted by any Mormon under my influence, you may hold me accountable, and I will give myself up into your hands without evasion or resistence, to be dealt with as you may direct.

The Mormons may have an established name for black mail operations in your mind: but we have lived here now nearly six years and have never been charged with it by any of our honorable Gentile neighbors who have been here with us all the time.... We do not expect to rest in peace much in this world, even in the most remote places. Our fathers had no abiding city -- our ancient brethren wandered about in sheep skins and in goat skins, and even hid themselves in the caves and dens of the earth. They were subjected to these hardships and privations because of their accusers who falsified their principles, misrepresented their doctrines and practice, and procured the martyrdom, in this way, of the wisest and best of men that ever lived. This class of false accusers are those who bring upon themselves all the righteous bllod that has been shed. Far preferable is a life of persecution and compulsion to flee before the Sirocco of such men, than to be carried in the lap of hypocrisy and float upon the tide of popular favor. Jesus said: The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man hath not where to lay his head, neither have the Mormons, if your testimony can be relied upon. You have ascribed to us sentiments that we never owned or avowed, and then say that we were driven from Missouri and Illinois because of those sentiments, and the same sentiments will not allow us to love in peace any where. What would you think of the man who would place a black mark upon a sheep and then cut the sheep's throat because it had that black mark? Would you think that the man marked to butcher, or butchered to mark? Have your rights, Mr. S., been disrespected since you have lived at the "head quarters" of the Mormons east of the Rocky Mountains, by me or by my people? If so, wherein? If we have not loved you as you could wish; we think we have loved you as much as you have us, -- "so there is no love lost," and if your misrepresentations of our doctrine and practice have weakened our nerves to do you good, we will avoid doing you harm as far as we can. -- The honorable Gentiles of this town who have been acquainted with us from the beginning -- have said over the signature of the most responsible men in the country, that we were a peaceful, industrious and law-abiding people; and that they were and have been living in peace and harmony with us; and they ["]hoped that no persons, either at home or from abroad would seek to distirb our amicable relation."

Now friend Simpson, listen to the advice and counsel of a Mormon. It will do you no harm, and may do you much good. Mind your own business, preach your own doctrine if you will. Let the Mormons alone, and you will gain more lasting credit and honor than by all the war you can wage against us. If this is not good counsel to you, and does not turn out to be correct, then say that Elder Hyde has not the spirit of God. You can never manage the Mormons, and every attack you make upon them, you will come off with disgrace.

I perceive, by comparing your late letters to me, with former ones addressed to persons remote from this place, that you are not my real correspondent. Nevertheless, you have the same right to enlist the co-operation of a friend that Br. Holly had. But tho' error call to her aid a union of interest and talent, and ingeniously erect a fortress -- a temple in which her most devoted sons hope to find security and refuge, -- she may see her walls prostrated, herself and her adorers exposed to the shafts of truth, and born down by the heavy and resistless column of light and knowledge.

Faithfully, your ob't. serv't.
                                ORSON HYDE.

---

PROSPECTUS
OF  THE
WESTERN  BUGLE.

The undersigned will publish a family news paper bearing the above cognoman, at Kanesville (Council Bluffs,) Iowa, to be devoted to the Arts and Sciences, Literature, General Information, Agriculture, Domestic Economy, and the news of the day, Foreign and Domestic, Poetry, Amusements, &c., and paricularly to the wants, interests, improvements, developments, resources, geography, and history of the West. The BUGLE will be issued weekly, on an imperial sheet, and executed with new and well selected press type, and fixtures purchased expressly for this purpose.

It will be Democratic in politics and will support such measures and such men for State and Federal offices, as may be agreed upon by the legal conventions of the party.

We shall take no part in Religious or Sectarian controversies, but will defend the conscientious worship of all, under the Constitution and laws of the State and of the United States. It shall be the aim of the BUGLE to encourage Western Literature, Western Authors and Writers, and its columns will be open to publish original, well written articles upon all scientific and interesting subjects, making the he BUGLE one of the most interesting Political and Literary Family Newspapers in the United States. What will greatly add to the value and importance of this paper is the fact that from this point all overland emigration to Oregon, California, and Utah, make their outfit, and here take their final leave of civilization, and launch out upon the vast ocean plains, midst the numerous eild Indian tribes; and upontheir return, 'tis here they first place their feet upon the soil of the pale-faces, with news interesting from the emigrant upon the plains, and from those far distant, new, and interesting western countries.

The WESTERN BUGLE will be published at two dollars per year, invariably in advance. Address (post paid) A. W. BABBITT, Kanesville.


Note 1: It would not be unreasonable to conclude that Elder Orson Hyde (President of the Twelve and functional President of the LDS Church east of the Rockies) submitted his letter to fellow Mormon (as well as persoanal and political rival) Almon W. Babbitt, as a sort of test of Babbitt's Mormon loyality and of his stated policy of taking "no part in Religious or Sectarian controversies." The fact that Babbitt chose to print such arrogant and scathing religious communications may serve as some measure of Hyde's continuing influence over his wayward ecclesiastical subordinate.

Note 2: Mormon Apostle Ezra T. Benson, who was visiting at Kanesville during the spring of 1852, penned the following comments regarding Babbitt's new enterprise (as preserved in the LDS "Journal History of the Church) -- March 12, 1852: "Last Saturday and Sunday we held a meeting for the purpose of hearing reports concerning emigration... Elder Orson Hyde was present and delivered a good discourse and all seemed determined to gather to the mountains this coming spring.... Elder Hyde has sold his [Frontier Guardian] press, building and fixtures for two thousand dollars to James Dawson and Co., of Fremont County, Iowa. The Hon. Almon W. Babbitt is on his way from Washington with his press to publish a democratic paper, called the “Western Bugle” to be established in this place." April 20, 1852: "The Hon. Almon W. Babbitt has just started a press to blow the western bugle. He leaves here for Utah the 10th of May."

An Editor in Arms.

We see from the last Guardian that its editor recommends himself as being quite a military character. He has passed through the schools of Comstock and others and is a great professor in the science of warfare. Yet he leaves us ignorant as to the kind of arms he uses; but if we can judge from the firing of his weekly platform they can certainly be of no greater calibre than pop-guns and paper-balls. -- And perhaps he was taught the use of these deadly instruments during his collegiate career in the schools of his favorite authors. We may soon expect to see this new-fangled chieftain in his full suit of armor, mounted upon his war steed, with pop-gun in hand, fighting for the sinking cause of whiggery -- striking terror into the ranks of the foe -- making their "knees smite together like Beleshazar's of old," -- and if he should be so fortunate as to do one or two bright things, who knows but his Whig friends -- ever ready to appreciate heroes -- will have him up for President!

---

Utah.

We have received our files of "The Deseret News" to Feb. 21, nearly three months later than our previous advices.

The Legislature of Utah assembled on the first Monday of January, and closed its session on the 15th of February. A special session had been called by the Proclamation of the Governor, much remaining to be done for the complete organization of the Territory.

The Message of Gov. Brigham Young to the Legislature presents a variety of information on the present condition of Utah.

During the past year the settlements have continued to extend, until now the line extends from near Bear River on the North, unto within about twenty-five miles of the Southern rim of the Great Basin...

Some idea of the growth and prosperity of this Territory may be formed, by comparing the Revenue for the year 1850 with that for the year 1851. The total amount of taxes for the year 1850 was $8, 116, while the amount of taxes for the year 1851 amounts to $23, 971; showing an increase of $15, 855, or nearly 200 percent., a sum which, if all collected, would be amply sufficient to pay all the Territorial debts, and leave a handsome balance on hand to prosecute the business for the coming year.

The books of the Utah Library, purchased by the United States, and received as donations, through the agency of Dr. Bernhisel, have recently been removed from the boxes to the shelves in the north-east room of the Council House, and are found in a high state of preservation. The selection is spoken of by learned gentlemen as of the highest order. The catalogue, classification, and arrangement of the library, are not yet completed, neither have the Legislature established by-laws for the management thereof, as they probably will at this session. Mr. Wm. C. Staines is the librarian. -- Tribune.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Started Out.

Our friend and predecessor, the Hon. A. W. Babbitt, left our bustling little borough for the western mountains -- for Utah, on the morning of our last publishing day. His only outfit was one horse, one mule, buggy and harness, two blankets, one gun, and a watering-bucket; but no implements for cooking or eating, and no provisions, -- and some aver that he, in the hurry of starting out, left his coat and boots; but this is doubtless untrue. He is expected to return this fall, but will stop at the Lake a month. Very few men would undertake such a journey under the same circumstances; but energy and perseverence sees no dangers, and meets but few. -- We presume no person has as yet undertaken to cross the plains with so scant an outfit.

We wish him success and shall be happy to see him resume his quill and shears, and give us a detail of his bear fights, buffalo hunts, and Indian warfare upon the plains and through the mountains. It will doubtless be interesting.

---

We have received a copy of the "Western Bugle," published by A. W. Babbitt, at Kanesville. It is democratic in politics, double medium in size, and printed on new type. It makes a handsome appearance, is conducted with ability, and we doubt not will do good service in the cause... -- Muscatine Dem. Eng.

---

Fillmore and the Mormons.

After a winter's meditation, the President has at length determined to sustain the Mormons, and repudiate the absconded Judges from Utah Territory!

This announcement will be received with surprise by the whigs of this vicinity, but there is now no doubt of the fact. Young is to be retained in his office as Governor, and allowed to squander the government funds, and fill his harem with as many 'spirituals' as his heart may lust after, receiving his support from the national government, while he is breathing out 'fire and brimstone' against its members!

The Editor of the 'Deseret News' -- a Mormon paper published at Salt Lake -- is appointed Secretary of the Territory, in place of the chivalrous Harris, who so gallantly headed Young in his attempt on that $20,000, and the money will be again duly remitted to 'Filmore city,' for the benefit of his excellency, and the Church of 'Latter day Saints.'

As the President has determined on this policy -- of surrendering Utah Territory into the hands of the Mormons -- we are glad that the claims of Bro. Hyde have not been overlooked. He is appointed Judge of the Supreme Court in place of Judge Brocchus, and will look very graceful with the 'judicial ermine' around his ample shoulders. We presume he will consider this appointment a sufficient endorsement of his character, and will withdraw his slander suits against the luckless wights [sic] who figured in the celebrated 'Fremont meeting.'

We esteem Elder Hyde an honest man, and if not corrupted by his present associations, will discharge the duties of his new position with more satisfaction than any other Mormon. However, the ides of November next will change this whole 'order of things,' and the incoming Democratic Administration will Americanize the Utah Government. -- Savannah Sentinel.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(Communicated.)

Kanesville as it Was and Is.

June 13.      

This town is situated two and a half miles from the eastern bank of the Missouri river; the steamboat landing is four miles distant, at a little settlement along the bank, called Council Point. St. Joseph, Mo., is one hundred and fifty miles below, and St. Louis, by water, is near one thousand miles, and by land about five hundred. Five years ago, a few Half-breeds and Indians were the only inhabitants, who resided in miserable cabins, huts and wigwams. Its soil -- naturally rich, productive and easy of cultivation -- laid unbroken by the plow of the husbandman, and the rude tones of nature, mingled with those of almost savage barbarism, were all that echoed thro' the fastness of the surrounding solitude. Such, briefly stated, was the condition of this place when the Mormon emigration from Nauvoo, Ill. -- so famed for the uniqueness of its history -- penetrated thus far through the prairie wilderness, and made a location here. The whole region of country was then owned and possessed by the Pottawattamie Indians; but the Government about this time concluded a treaty with them -- the whole tribe removed to other locations, and their old possessions here reverted to the Government. Then began the busy hand of industry to convert the "forest into a fruitful field" and the "desert began to 'blossom as the rose.'" ... We have had heavy emigration for the last three years; but this spring['s] has outstripped that of any preceeding year in point of numbers. No less than fifteen thousand have passed through and crossed the Missouri at the different ferries, near this place, within the last two months, bound, the majority of them, for California and the remainder for Oregon... The Mormon emigration will continue for two weeks to come, during which time we may expect trade to keep up brisk, but not so heavy as heretofore.

Such was Kanesville, five years ago, when the Red-man was lord of its resources, and such is Kanesville now, under the control of its enterprising and enlightened citizens.... Kanesville will doubtless continue an outfitting post for California, Utah and Oregon, for years to come, and each spring will make it a better market for all kinds of produce than almost any other point on the Missouri....

SCRUTATOR.      

---

From Utah.

The Deseret News of the 20th of March has been received. It is occupied with the details of a legislative festival, held at the residence of Gov. Brigham Young, at which dancing was the chief item of entertainment. The Governor led off the dance, and the members of the Legislature, of all degrees, followed, and thus cavalier brave and lady fair, kept up the exciting scene, tripping it on the light fantastic toe, in perfect harmony, until, says the News:

"The halo of a heavenly embassy seemed to be spread over the whole."

Then followed supper, after which Governor Young made a quaint oration, in which he declared that he danced and shook himself that his body might exercise and his mind rest. He also declared his intention to devote his time henceforward to mental labor only, with intervals of dancing, and to do no more manual labor, as has been his wont....

---

The Western Bugle.

A. W. Babbitt, Esq., the former talented delegate from Utah, has established at Kanesville, Pottawattamie county, a democratic paper under this title. For this enterprise Mr. Babbitt merits the encouragement of the Democratic party in this State. The "Bugle" will blow long loud and clear, the notes of Democracy in a section destined to become one of the most flourishing and prosperous in Iowa. Its local news alone will most amply repay the price of subscription, $2.00 per annum. It is interesting to read of the rapid progress of the population and civilized pursuits upon our south western frontier. Our Burlington friends should recollect that is a section of the State, with which we expect before long to be very intimately connected. We have received the first and second numbers of the Bugle, and will take pleasure in showing them to any who desire it. -- State Gazette.


Notes: (forthcoming)

News from Utah and the Plains.

By the arrivalof Thomas Margetts, J. C. Armstrong, and others, from Utah last week, we have adices up to May 8th.

They report nothing of material interest since our last dates. Crops looked uncommon well, a very large amount of land planted and sowed. A wollen factory had just been put into operation, under the superintendence of Mr. Mathew Gaunt.

A large emigration was looked for -- good health prevailed -- new settlements were being made in a number of the surrounding vallies -- a large amount of sugar beet had been sown in anticipation of the arrival of the machinery under the charge of Elder John Taylor. Governor Young and suite had started upon an exploring expedition, through the vallies of the Colorado, Green River and their tributaries. -- We were favored with a letter from Mr. A. W. Babbitt, from a point this side of Laramie -- his health was good, and ere this is at Salt Lake City.

They met with the emigrating companies this side of Laramie. Considerable sickness had occured with some of the companies. Capt. Gibson's company, from Pike co., Ill., lost 19 of their number in one week, but all were well that remained when our informants passed.

But very little sickness prevailed among the emigrants. The number of graves the whole distance was something over 150, but no how to exceed 200. Hundreds of wagons were crossing the Platte from the South to the North side, on account of better health prevailing on that side.

The grass is plenty and of a goodly quality the whole distance to Salt Lake. No Indians on the route. The buffalo are scarce most of the distance. On the Sweet Water river the herds were large, and deer, elk, or antelope, are found the remaining distance.

The horses, mules and cattle of the emigrants were in good order and doing well, and most of the emigrants were in good spirits, and passing onward.

The widow and family of F. J. Wheeling returned with this company. These gentlemen with their associates, 10 in all, are missionaries to the old world, whom we believe have ere this, left our place for their posts of duty.

---

"The Mormon's Daughter.

A Romance of the town and Wilderness." Such is the title of a book I am at work on, which will soon be published. It is the best work I have ever written. If not purchased by a publisher soon, it will be printed in this paper -- Buntline's Novelist.


Note 1: The above first report was reprinted in the Illinois Alton Weekly Courier of July 23, 1852 and in the Missouri Republican.

Note 2: It is uncertain whether or not Edward Z. Judson (aka Ned Buntline) ever published his "Mormon's Daughter" tale in Ned Buntline's Own... or any other contemporary dime novel magazine. A story with practically the same title saw publication in England, in 1861, however.

The Mormons in the South.

From San Bernardino we glean no news of importance. Their crops being gathered in, our Mormon friends are now devoting themselves to the task of raising means to pay for their lands. They propose to sell lots and farms at fair prices to those who desire them, and for this purpose have sent out their members through every portion of the State to preach the faith and represent their difficulties. As far as soil, climate and natural features are concerned, no point in the State furnishes more attractive inducements, and however much people may differ on the subject of Mormonism, no umbrage can be taken against the settlers at San Bernardino, as citizens and neighbors. They pursue the even tenor of their way, minding their own business, pursuing quietly their vocations; and in many things furnishing an example worthy of imitation. They have few or no lawsuits; no drunkenness, no rioting, no murders, no thefts. They work together and assist one another, and are building up for themselves a city which will be an ornament to the country and a source of pride to themselves. -- Southern Californian.


Notes: (forthcoming).

(article on the murder of Almon W. Babbitt --
under construction)

MORMONISM.
______

The Religion of Joe Smith and Brigham Young
Sprung from a Romance.
Springfield Republican.

(see original article from Massachusetts paper)

 


Notes: (forthcoming).

MORMON  HATE.
______

ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY IN A FEW WORDS.

Eds. Tribune: -- It is not a pleasure for "an old Mormon" to lift the veil of the past and disclose the errors and evils of the Mormon leaders in any degree; but when a great crisis in Utah affairs is imminent, it is highly proper for all classes to know something of the causes leading to it, and so be able to speak and act intelligently in regard thereto.

It will be no news to your readers to say that the Utah leaders and the press disclaim anything like hatred of the United States Government and its institutions, yet our proofs are of such a character as to fully support our charge of hate, and fix it, not primarily with the rank and file, but with the Mormon people. The extracts we present your readers furnish valuable matter just now, and they serve to fasten the cause of the evils complained of where they belong. They lay bare the designs and purposes of the Mormon leaders as far back as 1845, soon after Brigham Young became President of the Church.

In the Times and Seasons, then the Church organ, John Taylor editor, under date of December 1, 1845, we find the following taken from the New York Sun:

THE MORMONS.

William Smith, brother of Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, states that it is their (the Mormons) design to set up an independent government somewhere in the neighborhood of the Rocky mountains, or near California. That the plan has been maturing for a long time, and that, in fact, with hate in their hearts, skillfully kept up by the Mormon leaders, whose pockets are to be enriched by their toil, the mass of the Mormons will be alike purged of American feeling, and shut out by a barrier of mountains and church restrictions from any other than Mormon freedom. That the design of Brigham Young and the twelve is to build up a sacerdotal tyranny, the spirit of which will be more repugnant to the spread of republican principles than could possibly be the rule of Europe. These are William Smith's views. He is opposed to the plan of organization and its leaders.

Verily, this is like reading the accomplished facts of history. How well Brigham and the Twelve have worked out their original "designs," all may know who are conversant with their history since the time William Smith made them known to the Sun. If they have failed in any point, it has been because they simply lacked power and opportunity.

William Smith had been one of the Twelve and knew what their intentions were, and it would seem he would not betray the church to such an evil course, nor turn traitor to his country, but turned informer against those who would.

We understand William Smith is still living at Elkader, Clayton county, Iowa, and that he faithfully served under the Stars and Stripes in the late war of the Rebellion. His testimony is first class to the designs of Brigham Young and his colleagues, whom he denounced and abandoned.

If further evidences were needed of the alienation of the Utah leaders, and if their purpose to alienate their followers and get them entirely out of the limits of the United States, it may be found in the "Farewell message of Orson Pratt to the Saints of the Eastern and Middle States," dated [Dec. 1], 1845, Times and Seasons, Vol. 6, pps. 1042-3.

Mr, Pratt said:

"Brethren awake! be determined to get out from this evil Nation next spring. We do not want one Saint to be left in the United States after that time. Let every branch in the East, West, North and South, be determined to flee out of Babylon, either by land or by sea, as soon as then. Judgment is at the door; and it will be easier to go now, then to wait until it comes."

Take with these facts the un-christian, barbarous Endowment oath to avenge the blood of Joseph and Hyrum Smith upon this Nation, also the constant, persistent statement, falsely made by the Utah leaders, that the United States Government demanded the Mormon battalion, and that the Mormons furnished it, on peril of their extermination; and add to this the slurring of the Gentiles, the cursing of apostates, Brigham's "proclamation" of war against the United States army, in 1857; the fact that the Mormon leaders and their henchmen have for nearly forty years been in trouble with the National Government and with the non-Mormons, and it is easy to see the origin and cause of Mormon hatred, at least in their chief outlines.

It is high time that we who have suffered through the blinding and ruinous leadership of Brigham and his colleagues, should speak and act for the truth and the right.

The disloyal attitude of the Mormon church, from 1845 till now, is easily traced to the leaders, While the leaders have professed to the world great respect for the Government and its laws, their teachings and their acts prove the contrary. Men's deeds tell who and what they are!
                              THE OLD MORMON.


Note: Prior to the middle of 1881, this RLDS newspaper was published at Plano, Illinois. For an interesting letter by Elder William Smith, see the issue for Dec., 1879 among the on-line Illinois newspaper articles for that period.

BRADEN-KELLEY DEBATE.

Clark Braden passed through Lamoni Saturday on his way to Mt. Ayr, where he was to lecture for a week. We interviewed him on the train, and were informed that he had received a letter from Elder E. L. Kelley suggesting May 5th as the time for the commencement of the debate. This suggestion of Mr. Braden informed us he had accepted. So the time is at last agreed upon as the fifth of next May, and Lamoni as the place. An effort will be made to induce the railroad company to run an extra each way during the debate to accommodate those from near points who wish to hear the debate. It is almost certain that notwithstanding the time of year, the sessions of the debate will be at night.


Notes: (forthcoming).