| 430 to fall in with a company of Latter-day Saints, who had just arrived from England.
On sailing up the "Father of Waters," the mighty Mississippi, I was much amused at studying the variety of character, met with on board the Steam Boat: without entering at the present time, into a minute description of those, who formed the greater part of this motley company, I shall just relate an incident, that passed under my own observation, otherwise, I could not have supposed that in this "land of the brave."-this "Haven of rest;" a scene so disgraceful and revolting, as the one I then witnessed, could have transpired in a professed free country like unto America.
The incident alluded to was so repugnant to a free-born Englishman's mind and feelings, that had not principles of a higher and nobler, character, pervaded the bosom of the Saints, a general conflict must have ensued,
It was well known, that there was "Mormons," on board, and a party of Missourian farmers, and Dealers, took every occasion to teaze [tease] and insult them, especially on this occasion, one miscreant looking fellow, armed with a bowie knife, and without any previous provocation whatever, went up to the berth of one of the Saints and violently dragged him from thence, at the same time, ferociously striking him over the temples,-his colleagues looking on, and joining in a laugh of fiendish triumph at their supposed victory. It was evidently their intention, by this coward and dastardly act, to have excited the Mormons to retaliate and being far more in number, they had gloated over their fancied prey, with savage and relentless ferocity, that had most likely inspired them and others, on a former occasion when they drove an harmless and inoffensive people from their borders; robbing, plundering, and even murdering many an helpless, and even murdering many an helpless, and innocent victim, which the perusal of several heart-rending "Appeals", and documents, inserted in your highly respectable Columns, fully prove and substantiate.
When, I would ask, Mr. Editor, is there to be a stop put to such proceedings as these?
Can this be called "a Land of liberty and freedom," when such unheard-of cruelty and oppression is practised [practiced], and no redress available?
But fearful of further trespassing upon your room, I remain,
Sir,
Yours very respectfully.
JOHN HUSBAND.
Nauvoo Jan. 25th. 1844
P. S. The name of the gentleman, who was thus insulted, is Mr. Henry Needham of this city.
MISSOURI
BY MISS E. R. SNOW.
What aileth thee, Oh! Missouri! that thy face should gather blackness, and why are thy features so terribly distorted?
Rottenness has seized upon thy vitals-corruption is preying upon thy inward parts, and the breath of thy lips is full of destructive contagion.
What meaneth thy shaking, and why art thou terrified? Thou hast become like Belshazzar. Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin,' is indeed written against thee; but it is the work of thine own hand-the characters upon thy wall, are of thine own inscription, and wherefore dost thou tremble?
Wouldst thou know the interpretation thereof? Hast thou sought for a Daniel to declare it unto thee? Verily, one greater than a Daniel was in thy midst; but thou hast butchered the saints, and hast hunted the prophets like Ahab of old.
Thou hast extinguished the light of thy own glory-thou hast plucked from thy head the crown of honor-thou hast divested thyself of the robe of respectability-thou hast thrust from thine own bosom, the veins that flowed with virtue and integrity.
Thou hast violated the laws of our sacred constitution-thou hast unsheathed the sword against thy dearest national rights, by rising up against thine own citizens, and moistening thy soil with the blood of those that legally inherited it.
When thou hadst torn from helpless innocence its rightful protectors, thou didst pollute the holy sanctuary of female virtue, and barbarously trample upon the most sacred gems of domestic felicity!
Therefore, the daughters of Columbia count thee a reproach, and blush with indignation at the mention of thy name.
Thou hast become an ignominious stain on the escutcheon of a noble, free and independent Republic-thou art a stink in the nostrils of the Goddess of Liberty.
Thou art fallen-thou art fallen beneath the weight of thine own unhallowed deeds, and thine iniquities are pressing as a heavy load upon thee.
But although thy glory has departed-though thou hast gone down like a star that is set forever; thy memory will not be erased-thou wilt be had in remembrance even until the saints of God shall forget that the way to the celestial kingdom is 'through great tribulation.'
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