The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-11-29
From the Boston Transcript.

a u 700.
Its location; hOto The Aiorn,ons came bu n. III
dimensions Of The city, house,; all resia. mis- a,
NOT OF me church; temple; scuLptuyed yiiasttr!
mt710r fnash; 6rdzen idUe,; eTecfed bu voin,
tdry iador; The city ,DiH neUer be aLandonetl- b
ats builders.
Nauvoo-he city of the Latter Day Saints-th
pace where Mormonism is concentrated-is beau
tiiuily located on the east side of the Mississipp
river, below the first rapids, and therefore accessj
Bile to the largest class of steamboats, on the fathe
OF waters" Its name is derived from two Hebrew
words, somewhat distorted, which mean "Jeaufifu
rest"
When the Mormons were driven from Missouri
a'ler passing through series of hardships of {
very trying character, the present site of Nauvoc
was selected by Sidney Rigdon for town. Seve.
raj land claims were purchased of individuals, aud
by uniting the different parcels constituted Nor
mon territory. The chartered limits include a
plat four miles long by three in breadth-all laid
OUT ih'o squares and streets, at right angles and
scale OF convenience that is honorable to the
taste OF those who projected the plan. Those who
have examined Nauvoo with any degree of care.
acknowledge that it possesses the elements OF the
most elegant city in the west.
When first taken possession of by the new own
ers, there were neither inhabitants or dwellings,
yet IN the short space of three years, there were
one thousand houses; and now the population Is
not far from sixteen thousand-rapidly increasing.
too Notwithstanding the universal opinion of their
enemies that the spell is broken and that the
Mormon community will soon be dissolved In a
word, Nauvoo is the largest city in the State of
limos and regarded in all respects one of the
greatest curiosiiies of that part of the continent.
Nauvoo Is divided into four wards, and governed
by mayor, eight aldermen and sixteen common
councilmen-constitn nting the city government.
Property is not held in common, as fieoueutlv
represented Many persons holding real estate in |
the city are not Mormons, yet their rights ard
>'nerests are protected with as much care as thew
would be in Boston or New York. There is not
square in the whole city that has not building
upon IT. The squares being about an acre large.
the houses have the appearance of being spread
over prodigious extent OF surface; all portions
therefore, not occupiedby buildings are cultivated.
AS the population increases, the gardens will be
fewer in number aud smaller in their djmensone
All the Mormons do not reside in the CITY; if tbey
did their number would increase the as,onisbmcnt
which already prevails. They extend both IN and
down the river for nearly thirty miles, as farmers.
quite town is also growing up on the Missouri /
side, opposite Nauvoo. The ground plot of Nau-
VOC Is shapen somewhat like an oxbow. The river !,
embraces two sides of it, while the back ground f
rises magniiicenty about mile from the Mssissip.
p, giving the observer vast field of vision over
the most lovely rural scenery imaginable. AT the
summit, overlooking the whole landscape for nearly
twenty hve miles in all directions stands the Nor L
non temple. the largest structure in any of the n
western States. When completed, it is assumed h
nat the entire cost will not vary much fom four
lundred thousand dollars. Nothing can be more
original architecture Each of its huge piasters -
ests upon block of stone bearing in relief on lis
ace the prohle of'a new moon represented with >,
nose, eyes, and mouth as sometimes seen in
lmanacs On the top, not far from fifty feet high.
an ideal representation of the rising sum- which I'll
monstrous prominent stone face, the features m
which are colossal and singularly expressive.
rasping two trumpets crossed. These all stand 81
ut on the stone boldly, Their finish is admirable.
I'd as complete as any of the best specimens of 3,
'IseIling on the Girard College at Philadelphia.
he interior IS to be one vast apartment, about y"
inbred and twenty eight feet by eighty. simply CT
bdlvded by three great wells or rich crimson riC
apery suspended from the ceiling overhead g.,
aifhpr m ntys | -
cumber the holy edifice. In the basement is the NC
Mt OF baptism; which when completed according l1(
the design, will be pretty exact imitation of be,
E brazen laver in Solomon's temple. The tank
perhaps eight feet square, resting on I,he backs W
twelve carved oxen. They are of noble dimen. tnt
ms with large spreading horns, represented to be evI
ndlng Ia water hall way up to their knees. The I'M
.cuon OF the twelve oxen evinces degree of
enuity, skill, and perseverance, that would -"
ound to the reputation of an artist in anv com. ot
NIFTY. When they are finally gilded as intended mt
the laver is made to resemble cast brass, TO- D.,
her with the finishing up of the place in which
unique apparatus of the church is lodged-as l'co
mole mat part OF the temple will be one Of the pur
striking artificial curiostes in this country. bell
Vhen the olhciating priests in their long robes
flee lead on solemn procession of worshipers
ugh the sombre avenues OF the basement story 'hei
inting as they go, the effect must be exceeding TO
nposing to those who may deplore the infatu. doe,
Of whole city ofMormon deyotees. !,
Though estimated to cost so large sum, the
Of the temple are gradually rising from day TEN
y BY the concurrent uneeasDg labor Of volun- can