| 136 Columbus, threw out insinuations, both low and contemptible, and the public will think so too, when they are made acquainted with the circumstances.-All these despisable insinuations, were thrown out to make an impression on the public mind, in favor of both himself and his religion, which truth never would make, by trying to make them believe that I was afraid to discuss the subject of religion with him. Now for the condescention [condescension] of this business-John Rigdon does know, and did know, that such was my health, that I was unable to hold a discussion on religion, or any other subject, all the time he was throwing out these foul insinuations; for it is known through the country, generally, that I am unable to get five miles from my house, let alone discuss a subject of importance with any person. And it is also a fact that my attendent [attendant], had forbid my using any exertions, either mental or physical, except very moderate exercise, as it will endanger my life.
Yet notwithstanding these known facts and that I have been so since August last, previous to the time I received any communication from him, this braggadocio has been attempting to avail himself of my sickness, to make a false impresion [impression] the public mind. Will not the public then justify me in saying that his condescention [condescension] is contemptable [contemptible] mean? surely they will: and he and his coajutors [coadjutors] to give better colering [coloring] to their falsehoods, reporting that I challenged John Rigdon to a controversy. I have learned from this and other similar things, that a stream never rises above its fountain. A. Campbell the Leige [liege] Lord of all the Campbellites, after the truth made its appearence [appearance] being conscious of the fallacy of his scheme, and knowing that it could not stand before the truth-for A. Campbell knows most assurdly [assuredly], that his religious scheme is false, and is not according to truth-, had recourse to publishing in his ignorant Periodical, foul slanders, base calumny, and infamous lies, knowing them to be such when he published them to injure the characters of certain individuals in the Church of Latter Day Saints. I ask why had Alaxaner [Alexander] recourse to these foul slanders? the answer is, truth would not answer his purpose, consequently he had to sacrifice truth and common decency, on the alter of his fabled religion. So leader, so disciple.
When Dr. Nelson sent his letter to this place, for the purpose of having a discussion at Quincy, his whole course was that of a gentleman; he felt willing to meet any brother of our faith, acknowledging every religious teacher of the same faith, as having equal claims on himself and on the public, and as such entitled to equal respect. There were no offensive and foul assertions, no contemptious [contemptuous] epithects [epithets], such as understrappers, as though he himself was some august personage, some character of wonderful dignity. In consequence of this manly and honerable [honorable] appeal, I felt myself bound to meet him, not as I would meet a braggadocio, but as a gentleman, of fine feelings, and honerable [honorable] deportment, and as such I feel myself still bound to investigate with him, when my health will admit, at his request.
But as relates to John Rigdon, my course is fixed, I say let him redeem his character in the first instance, let him meet Mr. A. Williams, who accepted his challenge, and whom he insulted foully because he accepted it, for never will meet him at the expense of the character and feelings of a gentleman, whom I as highly esteem as I do Mr. Williams. Let him take back his foul epithet of understrapper, and let him know by so stigmatizing, Mr. Williams, he reproaches himself also. And after he shall have done this, if necessary, I also will condescend to meet an understrapper, if he is not sufficiently satisfied with what Mr. Williams had done. I use this as his own language, and not mine, and God forbid it ever should be mine. Now, if he is warm for a debate, the way is open, and he can reach it by putting it into my power to meet him. Let him do this, or let him acknowledge that the whole was a peice [piece] of ledgerdemain [legerdemain], and for want of being a gentleman, he acted like a blackguard, or else in the midst of his confusion, at having his challenge accepted, he forgot himself.
I wish the public to know that I hold him to his challenge, let him meet Mr. Williams, on his challenge as publicly given, and if he wants any
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