History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

168
THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
more than a hundred thousand; his fortune was estimated
at a million dollars; he was commanderin-chief
of the Nauvoo Legion, a body of troops
"which," remarks an artillery officer, from his own
observation, "would do honor to any body of armed
militia in any of the states, and approximates very
closely to our regular forces;" he was mayor of the
city ; and now, as the crowning point of his earthly-
glory, he was announced in February 1844 as a candidate
for the presidency of the United States, while Sidney
Rigdon was named for vice-president. Whether
this was done for effect or in earnest is somewhat
doubtful, for it appears that the prophet's head was
a little turned about this time; but it is certain that
the people of Illinois and Missouri believed him
to be in earnest. Addressing letters to Clay and
Calhoun, near the close of 1843, he asked each of
them what would be his rule of action toward the
Mormons as a people should he be elected to the
presidency. The reply in both cases was non-com-
mittal and unsatisfactory; 23 whereupon Joseph issues
an address setting forth his views on the government
and policy of the United States, and foreshadows his
own policy, in which we find many excellent features
and many absurdities. "No honest man can doubt
for a moment," he says, "but the glory of American
liberty is on the wane; and that calamity and confusion
will sooner or later destroy the peace of the
people. Speculators will urge a national bank as a
savior of credit and comfort. A hireling pseudopriesthood
will plausibly push abolition doctrines
and doings and 'human rights' into congress, and
into every other place where conquest smells of fame
or opposition swells to popularity." 24
23 Copies of the correspondence may be found in Times and Seasons, v.
393-6, 544-8; Mackay's The Mormons, 151-62; Olshausen, Geschichte der
Mormonen, 202-19.
24 'Now, oh people !' he continues, 'turn unto the Lord and live; and reform
this nation. Frustrate the designs of wicked men. Reduce congress
at least one half. Two senators from a state and two members to a million of
population will do more business than the army that now occupy the halls