| 471 appeared to him in a dream and gave him certain instructions, the which he immediately obeyed; and although God had smitten his family in consequence of the evil, he immediately removed his hand, and restored them to health, and removed his wrath from the nation. Nebuchadnezzar had to acknowledge the Lord's sovereignty when he was told by Daniel that "the Lord removeth kings, and setteth up kings;" and in the writing which Belteshezzar saw on the wall the Lord revealed to him, through Daniel, not only his own state, but the situation of other kingdoms, that should come after his.
The Lord sent by Jonah a message to Ninevah, saying: 'that in forty days Ninevah should be destroyed;' but when the king proclaimed a fast, and sat in ashes, both him and his people-the Lord averted his wrath and prolonged their lives. God revealed his will through the mouth of his prophets to the Ammonites, Moabites, Elamites, Hittites, Jebusites, and numerous other nations, and Nebuchadnezzar in a dream had revealed to him, not only the situation of his own kingdom, but that of the different nations that should arise after his, until the final winding up scene.
And Daniel, and the apostle John, both in prophetic vision beheld a time that is spoken of as a period of great glory, when 'the Lord shall be king over all the earth,' and when 'the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High God.'
Certainly if any person ought to interfere in political matters it should be those whose minds and judgments are influenced by correct principles-religious as well as political; otherwise those persons professing religion would have to be governed by those who make no professions; be subject to their rule; have the law and word of God trampled under foot, and become as wicked as Sodom and as corrupt as Gomorrah, and be prepared for final destruction. We are told "when the wicked rule the people mourn." This we have abundantly proved in the state of Missouri, and having had our fingers once burned, we dread the fire. The cause of humanity, the cause of justice, the cause of freedom, the cause of patriotism, and the cause of God requires us to use our endeavors to put in righteous rulers. Our revelations tell us to seek diligently for good and for wise men. Doc. and Cov. Sec. lxxxv. Par. 2:-
"And now verily I say unto you, concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all these things whatsoever I command them, and that the law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom, in maintaining rights and privileges belongs to all mankind and is justifiable before me; therefore I the Lord justifieth you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land: and as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than these, cometh of evil. I the Lord God maketh you free; therefore ye are free indeed: and the law also maketh you free; nevertheless when the wicked rule the people mourn: wherefore honest men and wise men should be sought for, diligently, and good men and wise men, ye should observe to uphold; otherwise whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil."
No one can be more fit for the task than Gen. Joseph Smith; he is wise, prudent, faithful, energetic and fearless; he is a virtuous man and a philanthropist; if we want to find out who he is, his past history shows his indomitable perseverance, and proves him to be a faithful friend, and a man of exalted genius, and sterling integrity; whilst his public addresses and views, as published to the world, prove him to be a patriot and statesman.
Let every man then that hates oppression, and loves the cause of right, not only vote himself; but use his influence to obtain the votes of others, that we may by every legal means support that man whose election will secure the greatest amount of good to the nation at large.
OUR CITY, AND THE PRESENT ASPECT OF AFFAIRS.
Believing that our patrons and friends are pleased to hear of our prosperity, we feel happy in apprising them of the same, through the columns of our paper.
Owing to the scarcity of provision, and the pressure in the money market during the past winter, commercial business has been somewhat dull; consequently those who were not previously prepared, have been obliged to employ the principle portion of their time in obtaining the necessary means for the sustenance of their families; therefore little improvement has been made. But old boreas is now on his receding march, and spring has commenced its return with all its pleasantness.
Navigation is open, and steam boats are almost continually plying up and down our majestic river; they have already brought several families of emigrants to this place, who have cordially joined with their friends and brethren in the great work of the upbuilding of Zion,
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