| 185 been repeated in Congress, but no redress has been granted, they have been sounded in the ears of the president, but he could do nothing for us.
What remains to be done, if the nation will not arouse itself in behalf of suffering humanity, and with a voice more terrible than thunder, speak out against a people, who have trod down the inherent rights and privileges of freemen and bring the authors of our suffering and woes, to that punishment which the well being of our country demands? Are the tears of widows, the sobs of orphans, the groans of the dying, and the blood of the innocent, to cry to this people in vain? Where ah! where, ye American citizen, are those high toned feelings of patriotism? where is the spirit of freedom which animated the bosom of your noble sires, who waded through scenes of carnage and of gore to purchase the glorious privileges which you enjoy, but of which we are denied, although our fathers fought side by side with yours and many of them fell in the glorious struggle for liberty? Is it extinct? does it not now warm the bosom of the scions of those noble men, who presented a spectacle in their days, to the world at large, an and example worthy of imitation to the latest generation? shall we appeal to you in vain? will you turn away from the scene, unmoved and unconcerned and suffer it to pass unnoticed; Remember,
"He who allows oppression,
Shares the crime.-
We hope better things of our countryman and that they will by and by arise in their majesty, dry up the tears of the widow and fatherless, and restore our people to their rightful inheritances and to all the privileges of freemen.
We sometime since received the minutes of a conference held in the town of Superior, Washtenaw county, Michigan, which commenced on the 19th of June, 1840, and continued two days, the proceedings were interesting, a number of branches were represented, and ten were baptized.
In our last number, on the 175 page, in the Hymenial notice of Jesse P. Reed; it should have read, Neuman G. Blodget, and Mary Rush, instead of Neuman J. Blodget and Mary Burk.
Minutes of the general conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, held in Nauvoo, Hancock county, Ill. Oct., 3rd 1840.
The conference was opened by prayer by President W. Marks.
Joseph Smith jr. was then unanimously called to the chair, and R. B. Thompson, chosen clerk.
A letter from elders Bent and Harris and one from Elder John E. Page were then read by the Clerk, which gave very satisfactory accounts of their mission.
On motion. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to ordain such as have recommends to this conference for ordination, and that elders
Jonathan Hale, Elisha G, Groves, Charles C. Rich, John Murdock. Simeon Carter compose said committee, and report their proceedings before the conference closes.
The president arose and stated that there had been several depredations committed on the citizens of Nauvoo, and thought it expedient that a committee be appointed, to search out the offenders, and bring them to justice.
Whereupon it was resolved, that,
Joseph Smith, Elias Higbee, William Marks, Vinson Knight, William Law, Charles C. Rich, Dimick Huntington, compose said committee.
On motion. Resolved, that R. B. Thompson be appointed the general church clerk in the room of Geo W. Robinson, who intends to remove to Iowa.
It having been requested by Elder Page that the conference would appoint an elder to take charge of the church which he and Elder Hyde had raised up in Cincinnatti [Cincinnati].
On motion. Resolved, that Elder Samuel Bennett, be appointed to preside over the church in Cincinnatti [Cincinnati].
The president then rose, and stated that it was necessary that something, should be done with regard to Kirtland, so that it might be built up; and gave it as his opinion, that the brethren from the east might gather there, and also, that it was necessary that some one should be appointed from this conference to preside over that stake.
(page 185) |
