| 557 themselves being judges. Mene mene tekel is indeed written of him, for he has committed sins unpardonable in the sight of this vast republic. Although the changing of the scene, a very different character appears when Mr. Clay is introduced, yet, like the "Fox and the flies," the policy of the latter would destroy what had been saved by the former. Can it be ascertained of what specific gravity Mr. Clay is?-At one time he is too heavy to float with a paper medium; at another, too light to be confined to the same stratum with a metal currency. To be sure he would take every man by the hand and speak peaceably and smoothly to him; but wherein can there be discovered at the present crisis, the great advantage to the nation in placing either Mr. Clay or Mr. Van Buren at the head. They are both party men of the deepest dye, therefore unfit for the chief magistracy of the foremost nation in the world.
Enough has been said of the two men; we now turn with pleasure to the man of our choice.-The Lord, the mighty God, has ordained him a deliverer and savior to this generation, if they will but hear his counsel. When the tribes of Israel were led and governed by the prophets of God, unparallelled [unparalleled] prosperity attended them. Witness the days of Moses and Joshua. God made them saviors each in their own time, to those tribes. So we, if Pharaoh will receive it, have a Moses whose rod when turned to a serpent will swallow up the serpents of all his magicians. Gen. Smith is every way calculated to preside over a great and mighty people. Although well skilled in all the learning of the times, no man can boast of being his instructor. By his own industry and the gifts of heaven, he has attained a degree in wisdom that baffles the ken of the greatest legislators and philosophers of the age. In the event of his becoming our chief magistrate, where other men might fail, either for want of virtue or knowledge, his integrity and superior foresight would guide us safely through every danger.
Having been acquainted with Mr. Smith more than seven years past, and knowing his views of the policy and powers of the government of the United States, which is now before the American people, I feel prepared to say, that was his moral worth fully known to the philanthropist, the honorable and high minded among all people, the response, like the echo on the river Nassa, would reverberate till that which was at first faintly whispered, would become loud and audible, GENERAL JOSEPH SMITH, forever.
As a body of freemen, we shall exert every honorable influence to elect the man whom we know to be every way worthy of our confidence. A man who, if this nation will receive him, will do more for them than the beloved Washington could do.
Having spoken to you thus freely, beloved brethren, I subscribe myself your brother, in the new and everlasting covenant.
BENJAMIN ANDREWS.
Newark, Kendall Co. Ill., May 21, 1844
Editor of the Times and Seasons:
Dear Sir,
We arrived at Ottowa on the 17th inst, after driving four days through constant rains, and over roads almost impassable for man or beast. We were soon informed that the Conference was removed twenty miles up Fox river, at the Newark branch. Notice had been given for a political address to be delivered in the Court House in the evening, by one of the Twelve, several hundred citizens assembled and was addressed by elder G. A. Smith. The speaker considered General Smith the smartest man in the United States, and the best calculated to fill the presidential chair, which was applauded by the assembly; his political views as presented on that occasion, seemed to please most of the people; at the close of the speech the congregation quietly dispersed. Elder Woodruff continued his journey ten miles, and held a meeting with the La Salle branch of 46 members, mostly emigrants from Norway. On the 18th, we arrived at Newark, and attended the Conference according to appointment. The following is a copy of the minutes, which we forward for publication:
Newark, Kendall Co. Ill., May 18, 1844.
Conference convened pursuant to notice.-There was present; two of the quorum of the twelve, one High Priest, two seventies, nine elders, one priest, one teacher.
Conference called to order by Elder Woodruff. Elder G. A. Smith called to the chair.-Conference opened by singing, and prayer by the president.
Representation by several branches was called for, when the following branches were represented, as follows:
Newark branch, 35 members, 1 elder, 1 teacher; La Salle branch, 46 members, 2 elders; Ottawa branch, 16 members, 2 elders; Bureau branch, 15 members, 3 elders; Pleasant Grove, McHenry Co. 10 members, 2 elders; Indian Creek branch, 5 members; Big Vermillion [Vermilion] branch, 4 members; French creek grove branch, 2 members. Total, 133 members, 10 elders, and I teacher.
It was moved and carried that Canute Peterson, Severt Olson, Zimri H. Baxter, Levi Lightfoot,
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