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Mormon Events —All facta affecting the Mor-mcna are interesting and we give them as a part of I the history of the times We hereunto publUh an I appeal to their feelings, which seems to have had the desired effect:—Governor Ford's Address to the Peoflk or Nawoo.Junk 27, fl o'clocr P M Fki.low Citiebnb :lt;— I have hat little to say to you as 1 know of, as you are all aware the causes of the present I excitement were the unlawful destruction ol a printing prws in the city, and a reluial on the part of the actors i in it to surrender themselves into the hands of the law. I wish to say to you th.it it was an unlawful act, * highhanded, arbitrary act, and tlie people are alarmed at such transactions. The destruction ol that press, fellow citi-I zens. has done this people more harm than ten such presses could do in ton years. I suppose I am addressing t people who differ from the majority ot the people of Illinois in■ their religious sentiments 1 am willing you should enjoy yosr religion i tin* Constitution makes no distinction iu religion* secta, but lews must be obeyed. History informsI us that the introduction of u new religion has always produced excitement and commotion, and always will, and it requires a b« iter behavior ou the part of this people, to i insure your quiet, than Irom any other portion of our citi-. xens; nothing but a quiet unresisting llle on,y our part can eradicate the prejudices that exist against you. The peo-■ pie are ufruid of you —they call you a set ol warlike 8iml« or military Balms us they call \ ou, who seek a temporal dominion in the earth. 1 would advise you not to arm— you have gone to the expense of aiming yourselves I have liTedflomr fifteen years on the borders of the West, and havo never worn arms—I always found a quiet, peaceable behaviour the beat defence—I would say to you, disarm yeui selves and the feari of the people will abate. This is my advice to you as your Governor—1 am an willing to be the Govimor of thin people as any of the people of this State—I claim to be the Governor of the whole people of Illinois. Bad reports are believed of roujby the people ol thin State. Thu best men among us beliuve these reports.I will state what report says of vou—I know nothing ot it only by report, ana that says that a band called Damt*$ exist among you, who are sworn to assassinate the man, or any men, at whom your leader shall point his finger. (Loud cries from a host, '* It aint so”) Well, I don’t say it is so—1 hope it aint—bnt the people tbiak so. ( will now read you the Dames of individuals who claim my protection (Here Wilson Law, William Law. Francis Higher, CoJo, Chauncey Higb»e, Dr. Foster, and Charles Foster’s names were read) And I say to this people, that if any of these men nre assassinate J, openly or secretly, or their property destroyed, this people will bo exterminated Thousands and thousands of :hc people of this State will rise up and burn your city, grxl the arm of the law could not prohet you and yoar beautiful inheritance from the flames. The people w ould drive me tnd you from tint rtate, if 1 should offer to pro * tect you. Your women and childion would not be span A; as I came along I saw them innocently looking out of the windows ami doors, to see me and my men, and my heart was pained to think their lives iMisi'bc sacrificed, by the rashnesa of vour leaders. Study then to be peaceablr and by long suffering and patience, wear out the prejudices that are against your people—here the governor put the votr, •' Will on suatelu the luw« oi the stato, («nd a hoit cried out, we will.)A new Prophet, it is whispered, has been selected—a Dr. Richards, formerly of Berkshire County, in Mbhsr-chusetts. He Is said to be a mmi of considerable talent, with a good deal of shrewdness mid tact. The onnounce-I mi nt will be made in a few days
Newspaper Details
New York Herald
New York, New York, US
Fri, Jul 19, 1844
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Burlington P.
IA, USA 20 Aug 2024
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