History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

NATURE SPEAKS. 119
At Far West on the 4th of July, 1838, assemble
from the surrounding districts thousands of the saints,
to lay the corner-stone of a temple of God, and to de-
clare their rights as citizens of the commonwealth to
safety and protection, as promised by the constitution.
They are hated and despised, though they break not
the laws of God ; they are hunted down and killed,
though they break not the laws of the land. To
others their faith is odious, their words are odious,
their persons and their actions are altogether detest-
able. They are not idlers, or drunkards, or thieves,
or murderers; they are diligent in business as well
as fervent in spirit, yet they are devils; they worship
what they choose and in their own way, like the dissenters
in Germany, the quakers in Pennsylvania, and
the pilgrims from England, yet their spiritual father is
Satan. And now, though thus marked for painful
oppression by their fellow-citizens, they come together
on the birthday of the nation to raise the banner of
the nation, and under it to declare their solemn prerogative
to the enjoyment of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness, to the maintai nance of which
they stand ready to pledge their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor. This they do. They raise
the pole of liberty; they unfold the banner of liberty
they register their vows. Is it all in irony? Is it all
a mockery'? Or is it the displeasure of omnipotence,
which is now displayed because of the rank injustice
wrought by the sons of belial under this sacred em-
blem? God knoweth. We know only that out of
heaven comes fire, blasting the offering of the saints M
!
distant bank,' continued Hall, 'they would buy quantities of its unsigned
bank notes, which they took home, and after having them signed by competent
artists, placed in circulation. In procuring these bills, no persons met.
The package would be left by a window of the bank, with a pane out, and
the package taken and its price left by the purchaser.'
"'Inadayor two after these transactions, the thunder rolled in awful
majesty over the city of Far West, and the arrows of lightning fell from the
clouds, and shivered the liberty pole from top to bottom; thus manifesting to
many that there was an end to liberty and law in that state, and that our
little city strove in vain to maintain the liberties of a country which was ruled
by wickedness and rebellion.' Pratt's Persecution, 57.
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