1844-06-29-Jeffersonian Meeting

The Prophet v1n7 29 June 1844, pg 2

Jeffersonian Meeting

Pursuant to public notice, the friends of "Equal rights," met at Marion Temperance Hall, on Tuesday evening Jun. 25th.

Wm. H. Miles, Esq. was called to the chair, and David Rogers,Esq. was appointed secretary.

Wm. H. Miles, Esq., the chairman, arose and made some very pertinent remarks in reference to the great object for which we were assembled, that it was necessary we should all be actively engaged in the great work before us; he then gave way for the Hon. Wm. Smith, who was heartily cheered on coming forth�he said he did not know of any thing more appropriate than to commence by singing a song called the "Mobbers of Missouri," which was sung with great applause; after which he spoke in a very able manner, relative to the stand we have taken in unfurling our banner ot the world, with the name of the friend of the oppressed, Gen. Jos. Smith, inscribed on it as a candidate for the Presidency; he said, that the scriptures taught that if a mand would not provide for his own household, he is worse than an infidel,�that it is high time we began to think of providing for ourselves,and not depend on others who have refused to take our cause in hand: every thing connected with our interest calls for a reform,�that all the leaders in our Government cared for, was party or self aggrandizement, although we live in the boasted land of Liberty�which is called the "land of the free and the home of the brave;" where, it is said, every man can enjoy his privileges, and his own peculiar views, religious or political�would to God it were so, for we have proved these things to be a mockery to our sorrow;�the blood stained soil of Missouri speaks forth a language that cannot be misunderstood, giving us a lemon, indeed to the contrary. We are obliged to act our part for the welfare of this nation in paying taxes, and in various ways helping to support our Government, therefore, we want the advantages that other citizens enjoy; but they have failed to sustain us in granting us equal rights, and that protection which the Constitution guarranted to every man�He spoke with a great deal of feeling respecting the persecution which we have suffered, without an effort on the part of the Government to redress our wrongs, and alluded to our Revolutionary sires,and the spirit which actuated them at a time when it tried mens' souls, when they rose up n the majesty of their might, threw off their yoke of bondage, and told the world at large that they were God's freemen, who were willing to suffer for righteousness' sake in the holy cause of Liberty even at the price of blood,�he showed in a forcible manner the great advantages of Liberty, liberty of speech, and liberty of conscience,�"and," said he, "who is better calculated to bring these things about, than Gen. Smith, who goes for liberty in its broadest sense, and as it regards his ability, he has peculiar advantages in the hidden mysteries of this country, which no other man enjoys; therefore, he is the very man which is best calculated to govern it in righteousness�and, said he, if we cannot get redress any other way, we will fight for it�but I would wish you to understand not by the use of fire arms, but mentally; I own I do not like fighting as well as L. Boggs, nor do I pretend to be as bold as he was, for he was such a brave man, that he actually drove a large number of women from the State, by the force of arms! and in this respect he is much more courageous than I am�for I must say this, I love the woman too well myself, and can't help it, for my mother is a woman�which caused a great deal of merriment, and all through his speech it was filled with anecdote�illustrations of his subject much to the point, which at times kept the audience in a roar;�and at other times, he would depict the wrongs of our brethren in such a vivid manner in relating them, as would almost chill the very blood to hear of such aggravated crimes in our own favored land:�it matters not, said he, who they are, whether it be Van, Clay, Polk, or any one else, if they will only see that the laws are respected and made honorable; but they say, we know your cause is just, but we cannot do any thing for you; poor fellows,�put in office for the very purpose of putting down all violation of the law, and now turn around and tell us they can do nothing! away with such men, and let us have some one else�who shall it be brethren (Gen. Joseph Smith was cried out several time by many voices from the multitude,) Gen. Smith then it shall be, he is the man that dare see that the laws are strictly obeyed, it matters not who should feel the smart by so doing;�but O how different it will be when we become a popular people!�Congress will have power enough then�Congress can do as she pleases in other matters�(and here related several instances where they had appropriated monies to suit themselves,) he closed by picturing in a vivid manner the character of the people's candidate, Gen. Jos. Smith, which was followed by three hearty cheers for Gen. Smith and Sidney Rigdon,�Mr. Smith then sat down amid tremendous cheering.

After which, O. Hyde, Esq. was called upon, and arose and said,�that he was thankful for the honor conferred upon him,�he remarked, that the former speaker said that he did not come here to preach the scripture, but to preach politically, but, said he, it is hard to seperate them entirely, for he had noticed he had slipped them in occasionally; and he, this is right,�for Heaven is higher than the earth�he spoke with great effect upon the misfortunes of his brethren, whose carcasses are bleaching on the plains of Missouri�he spoke of the prophetic declaration in reference to our people, which has partly been fulfilled�the Gov. of Missouri was a persecutor of J. Smith�where is he now. He also spoke of the big gun that exploded in Washington, with appropriate remarks in reference to prophecy, as a nation,�and as it respects slavery, he wanted to see it done away with, he did not want to see them taken away without a compensation, it could be done by means of money, which could be made satisfactory;�he also spoke with great ability throughout, and sat down with three cheers for J. Smith. After which Mr. Smith arose and stated to the meeting, that it was necessary that funds should be raised to pay the expenses of the delegates for the Baltimore Convention: whereupon, J. B. Mynell and Jar. Thompson, were chosen as a committee to arrange that matter.

It was then moved and carried, that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Nauvoo "Times & Seasons" "Neighbor" and "Prophet."

Wm. H. Miles, Chair

David Rogers, Sec'y.