| 207 opinion that there could be but one voice and that was to "Come." On the evening of the 2d the citizens came together in the city hall, and we addressed them on the subject of the return, and recounted some of the things necessary to put the old town into the line of progression, that would make it attractive to those abroad. The meeting was a large one, and much enthusiasm upon the subject of the return of the Saints and the building up of the town was displayed.
Some of the citizens present had never heard that there was a meeting held in 1860, over which the mayor presided, in which meeting resolutions were adopted suggesting that we go elsewhere to propagate the peculiar tenets of Mormonism, as they were of the opinion that the possible return of the Mormons would be a bad thing for the advancement of the place. These, who had never heard of this action, were quite shocked and indignant, at what they could now see may have had its influence in keeping a part of the people away. And time having helped the vision of many that remain, they can now see that a class of people who have won every foot of moral vantage-ground that they now occupy, by sturdy blows for the right against wrong and oppression, would have been and would even now be a strong auxiliary in rebuilding the fast fading enterprise of the old town.
Of late there have been some fair improvements in the business center of the place; but there is much room for more; and the leading men would be much pleased at a change for the better. We certainly sympathize with them in the dull outlook and surrounding of our "beautiful resting place."
We felt sad that we were so frequently and so eagerly asked, "Well, Mr. Smith, what are the prospects of your coming back?" We felt sad that there seemed to be so much apparent necessity that something out of the ordinary line must happen, or the same listless, dull, monotonous existence remained for the "City of the Saints."
But while I was sad I was also very glad, inexpressibly glad that so fair a vindication of the people with whom we try to serve the God of our fathers, had at last come; and while the citizens, our old neighbors and the newer ones, were crowded around us, all evidently anxious that we should favorably present the claims of Nauvoo to the brethren with whom lies the deciding of the question of removal and relocation of the business center, we were almost for the moment proud that our coworkers were so well entitled to the good name warranting so general an invitation to settle in the midst of the dwellers in the once famed city.
Nor was our joy made less upon seeing in the Carthage Gazette, a paper published at the county-seat of Hancock County, by Mr. Thomas C. Sharp, whom all Saints have reason to remember, the following editorial:
"The Nauvoo Independent says that a petition, signed by some four hundred persons, has been forwarded to Joseph Smith, Jr., requesting him to make Nauvoo the headquarters of his reformed Church of Latter Day Saints. Some of our old anti-Mormon citizens are a little nervous
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