1870-01-10-New York Sun-Sunday Life in New York
- The Sun, 10 January 1870, p. 1, c. 1
Sunday Life in New York
- The Persecuted Saints of Williamsburgh Flinging Back the Charge of Modern Irreligion—Hands Off, U. S. Governtment!—The Lord to Manifest himself in Behalf of the People of the Prophet.
The Latter Day Saints were not so belligerent as heretofore with our reporter, being already satisfied with the published reports of their opinions. The Bishop, with the North British accent, did not expound yesterday, but the rostrum was occupied by Brother Burton, one of the emissaries from Utah, who is said to be high in the confidence of the prophet. His theme was the similarity of the Mormon persecution to that of the Christian in Pagan and Jewish countries. The plea was the same—irreligion.
It was not contended by the people of Williamsburgh, or any other city where the Mormons had a society, that they were immoral men. ON the contrary, their private character was good; but then they were irreligious. That was what the pharisees said of Paul; that was what Paul had said of the others before he came to a knowledge of the truth. And now it was said of the Mormons, and with just as little justice. He alluded slightly to THE SUN's comments upon Brother Joseph Young's domestic difficulties, saying that the son of the Prophet was as liable to do wrong as any other man's son, by which we may conclude that the Philadelphian lady has gained her point, and that Joseph is a pure monogamist.
The Mormon emissary dwelt emphatically upon the action of the United States Government. He repeated with bitter sarcasm the comments of THE SUN as to a martyrdom that didn't hurt anybody: asking whether it was pleasant to have a man's house burned over his head five successive times. For his part he did not like it, nor did he think it a sham martyrdom by any means. He went on to say, that should any attempt be made to drive the Mormons out of their possessions in Deseret, or to subvert their system of self-government, or should any coercive measures be adopted against the Prophet and his counsellors, he felt certain that the Lord would manifest Himself in strength, and that a contest would arise like that in the days of Rome, when Rome, for its persecution of the Christians, was crumbled into the dust.
The reign of the Saints was promised in the most definite terms; and persecution, martyrdom, tortures of the most fearful description, would only bind the people closer together, and sow the seed of an universal empire of Mormonism. The speaker made no allusion to the schisms, in Utah, of Godbe, and the followers of Joe Smith.
With regard to the challenge issued by the Brother with the North country accent, we have received a communication from Fall River, Mass., from a Christian clergyman, who will discuss certain points with the Bishop from Brighamia. He will take the negative of the proposition that polygamy is a divine institution, or a part of the Gospel plan of redemption; or he will affirm that polygamy is an unscriptural dogma and contrary to the revelation of the Divine Will. Now if "Barkis is willin'," he may call at THE SUN and procure this gentleman's address.
