Scraps of Biography: Tenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day SaintsVarious
Religion
Scraps of Biography: Tenth Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints
Various
Latter Day Saints -- Biography
Having seen that through the imbecility of the law, or the secret
connivance of its administrators, there was no possible chance of
obtaining redress, and being protected in our rights, it was next
decided upon to petition the president of the United States, in
accordance with the revelation given to that effect. An able document
was drawn up and sent to that officer, but it availed us nothing. We
also wrote to the governor, asking him to issue an order to have our
weapons, of which we had been deprived in November last, restored to
us. But, notwithstanding the orders of the governor to Colonels Lucas
and Pitcher, we never received our arms, but they were taken and
distributed among the mob.
Our brethren in Kirtland, on hearing of our sufferings, did all in
their power to help us; and immediately on receiving the revelation
concerning the redemption of Zion, began to gather together young men
and middle aged men to come to our relief.
We received the news of the coming of these brethren with much joy and
thankfulness.
When the news got abroad of the movement, the mob once more became
infuriated. They got together in large bodies, armed and provided
themselves with cannon. Hundreds from the surrounding counties
volunteered to help them in case Governor Dunklin should attempt to
restore us to our homes, which he had said he would do as soon as
enough of our brethren came together to enable us to protect ourselves
in them.
In the midst of this intense excitement, Judge Ryland called a meeting
of the brethren, citizens, and the Jackson county mob, with a view of
an amicable adjustment, as he said, of our difficulties.
On Monday, June 16th, about one thousand citizens of Clay county, and
a few from Jackson county, assembled in the court-house, in Liberty,
according to appointment. Judge Turnham was appointed moderator, or
chairman.
Judge Ryland used his best endeavors to allay the angry feelings of the
mob, and to effect an adjustment of our difficulties in his own way,
but not to our satisfaction.
A document from our opponents was introduced by war speeches by S.
C. Owens and Rev. M. Riley, who, even in this meeting, advocated the
idea of driving us from Clay Co. But Gen. Doniphan and Judge Turnham
defended the cause of right, begging that the people of that county
would not disgrace themselves in the manner. Jackson county had done;
but let the "Mormons" remain in their midst and enjoy equal rights with
them, "for," he said, "they are good citizens, and even better than
many of the old settlers."
Gen. Doniphan said: "The Mormons have armed themselves, and if they
don't fight they are cowards. I love to hear that they have brethren
coming to their assistance, greater love can no man show, than he, who
lays down his life for his brethren."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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