The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-07-26
The Trouble among the Mormons-The Nor.
mon Disc ussion I'm this CITY.

close; in the course Of which many converts were
made on both sides. Although il was somewba,
astonishing that the discussion this particular Pc
ROD did not excite general attention, or draw
greater crowds than it did.
II was commenced last week in the rooms of the
Hope Total Abstinence Society, and occupied four
consecutive nights. DR.. West spoke for the ortho
doxy and Elder Adams for the Mormons Notwo
men could possibly be more widely different in their
habits and requirements and the disparity in their
characters was constantly discernable in the course
of the discussion
The Doctor is large portly man, of good rubi-
cund face, native of England, but an attached and
adopted citizen Of the United States. He has the
address of gentleman, and the requirements of
scholar, and his principal faculty lies in witty and
sarcastic reparee, tinged with cheerfuness and
good humor; this was apparent throughout the dis
custom His informationo biblical matters is also
extensive; he has much learning little logic, large
language, fine descriptive powers, and an eloquent
and forcible delivery Moreover, we should think
that an attachment to good dinner, if not predo-
minan was at least promnant qualification of the
Doctors.
The Doctors opponent, Elder Adams, is an Anne
rican by birth, possessing much tact and acumen,
but he is man who labors under the disadyan-
tages OF an uncultvated mind, and a want of lite
rary atainmens. He is of the ordinary sze shorter
than DR.. West, or the Rev. Mr.. Shaw but nearly as
gaunt the latter; and his countenance is indica-
i've of energy and sincerity, and his whole conduct
believe displays that he possesses these attributes
a large extent In this discussion he appeared
deeply interested in Mormonism, noisy in his ora
tory, and pointed in his endeavorsto substantate the
doctrines OF his church.
The argument used in the discussion was unsatls-
factory. The Doctor appeared TO be the most popu
lar of the two with the audience, particularly the
ladies'; but his adhesion to the point issue was no,
; great as that OF his opponent
Elder Adams attempted TO prove that there had
been church of Christ organized upon the strict
New Testament principle for many hundred years;
and that the Latter Day Saints" or Mormons,
were The only church organized upon those princi-
pies. These views were sustained with course OF
argument. which, however satisfactory it was t.
Elder Adams, was not very convincing TO his hear
ers if we Judge from the manifestations ofthe latter
at the close Of and during the entire discussion.
The Doctor pursued very different course; and
he brohght forward long TRADE OF charges agans
Joe Smith and his men, such murder, treason
lying, adultery, deception, seduction, and amos
every thing that was bad. These constituted tn.
PRINCIPAL points IN ms argument; in some instances
they were tolerably well sustained by inferences
whilst in Others the promises to produce proof wer,
more apparent than the production thereof
The two disputants pursuing such widely differsn
courses, II cannot be supposed that the argument
were fairly met and canvassed. The Elder stuck L.
his text best; he seemed more disposed to argue
the Doctor to ,1dicue; and certaily the ridicule wa
very pointed and effective. The Doctor depicted
the scene at Palmyra, where the Devil and his imp,
were scrambling with Joe Smith for the possession
of the plate, with much righteousness and tact H,
also said that the attempt of the Elder in Boston Il
bestow on woman an additional tongue seemed
to him very unnecessary, and the height of folly, a.
the sex were generally very bountifully supplied
with the commodity. This produced roars o.
laughter In which the women joined
When the time at last arrived for the discussion
20 close, both parties manifested considerable de
10 have n 90 fnrS me On H.,
Mr.. Ongen Bachelor rose, and proposed to procure
on his own responsibility; and after deducI
ling from the money received for tickets enough t.
pay for the room, ana other necessary expenses L.
give the balance to the speakers This was re-
ceved with loud cheers but Bachelor added this pro
viso, that he should have the arrangement of every
hing according as he desired, and be allowed 10
take the general supervision of the whole affair
In the course of his remarks he made an unjust
attack the president, DR.. butcher whose urbanit,
and imparality had been so evident during the dis
cusslon, that the audience upon this retort Kissed
Bachelor heartily. Bachelor replied, "Serpents,
hiss!' Upon this there was general Kissing, ano |
the meeting broke up In a row.
Several gentlemen, however, came forward, and
National fall, in Canal street, and it is possible the
discussion may be continued there this week.
In the mean time whilst all this discussion is goin.
on here, we perceive the angry discussion betweei
hotter at Nauvoo. In addition to what we have al
ready given, General Bennett makes the following
strange charges
call upon General Robinson and Colonel Higbee
in the Sangamo Journal their names
and tell what they know of Joes swndlng operations
Come out, gentlemen boldly; the public good requires
at your hands Forbearance is no longer virtue in thi
business. call likewise upon the Messrs. Kbourns
Montrose Iowa. to come out in the Journal and tell wha
hey know Of Joes swindng in Iowa lands and of tn
hope they will respond to the call without delay. Let
man fear to speak out boldly Remember that the Whit
Purchase CALLED church property but it and
Joes individual estate He said in public congre
cation in Nauvoo, few weeks ago, II million
dollars in property in this city, and around it, Can th
windler take the benefit Of the bankrupt law Never
No, never Let prosecution be at once institute
against lis holiness and let the law have its operation
ONCE
He also brings forward the following extraordinar,
OF the practices at new Lodge OF Mason
formed by the Prophet
ID JoEs HOLY LopoE CALLED "ORpER."-l alluded 10
this holy institution in one of my former letters Joe say
has given them the Masters word by revelation "
the preparation they stripped naked TO he
sH the holy examination as required in Dueieronom.
the precious ointment poured upon the head runnn
own upon the beard and the skirts OF the garment tt
ungodly oath, part Of which gave you, is then
operations and Joe from public disgrace and imam
SOME ofthem however are not in the SECRETS They
blind in order to deceive the peoplef they
charged with inquity they say Look 81 VIM Mark:
others like him Do they induger No. gentlemen
ney Rigdon, and Orson Pratt and William Marks mus
know the secrets they will apostatize" RigdoI
and Pratt not yet members however and hope they
never will be and Marks has very strong squirting
apostacy. If Sidney Rgdon will suffer base attempt
his daughters chastity Pratt another his wife
and william Marks will look tamely at these disclo
sures and nothing, am much mistaken in the
The public look to Risdon, Pratt and Marks, and othe
indred spirits ak az this eventfu crissthe hav
seen and heard and felt in their families the CORFU
ions of this arcb-fend Of hell Come out gentlemen
enounce and denouuce Joseph Smith, that souldamnn,
imposter Come now, bow down and lick the dus
worship his shrine and chain fate the wheels
damnation and the car ofiniquty The issueis made
it cannot be averted-and pray God that the bite
up may pass" You all, with Francis Nj. Higbe.
George w. Robinson, Chauncey L. Hgbee Henry Marx.
md hundreds Of Others know that have told the unvar
nshed truth and the people at large will believe meycs
they will believe me- though have not yet told half thu
lreadful story "Come out from among the ungodly
and be We separate Gen. Robinson writes under da
Of July 3doe says to the people, iLook out look
These men, will venture to say will come out on M
with all their power and say and do all they to pu
me down. but do not believe word Of their cursed lies
for know am Prophet"