The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-13

se'shS AoF the Keller OF the Distressed Morrnons.
pursuant TO the public invitation OF the clergy of the
! city, number OF citizens assembled at Old-Felows'
Hall, Tuesday evening last to a,op, measures for
contributing reel 10 the body of destitute Mormon peo
pie, now arrying IN the wds of Iowa and in DANGER of
perlshing during the coming winter for want of food
The meeting being organized by calling the Mayor of
the city To the char, Mr. Dana, OF the Mormon broth
erhood by request and made the following address
Mr. DANA said: IN rising to address you, gentlemen /
feel incompetent to the task However, L you will give
lay before you of the moving Iea to the
expulsion of the Momons from Illinois.
In the early part of the fall of 1885, when all was peace
and an abundant harvest had crowned the abor our
onshed when we heard that parties of men were going
about coo and in open daylight setting fire to the houses
cock county, only giving the inmates few moments
move some of The choicest of their goods The sick
carried ont and laid the cold ground, with naught
but the broad canopy OF heaven to shelter them.
Not soii'Ied With burning dwellings and turning helpless
still further by setting fire to barns filed with grain Stacks
thai and crops should be destroyed This work
OF destruction was carried on day after day and night after
night the perpetrators, by doing, hopes drive
people desperate act which would lead to our ex-
examinations But, alas for them! people, quietly fol-
lowing their several occupations in Nauvoo
mind it, Finally, Sheriff Bacensos (not Mormon) called
out posse and succeeded in checking these outbreaks
This greatly exaspeaed thern and they determined that
should not rest in the State. Consequently, after
entered into a treaty with them. The conditions were as
follows: Provided they would let us remain peaceably
m would leave e State @ mas 5DW a se
cured to temporary peace but of short duration They
holding forth that would not keep covenant and be-
gan drive scattered brethren into Nauvoo, proclaim
they would drive them all into Nauvoo, and there
Compelled once more TO call council in order to study
the best of saving life and of giving
that would keep covenant, decided that the
brethren could, should leave the State forthwith Ac-
cordngy about thousand families the Mssis-
sipp ice the of February travelling
wagons and living in The poorer part this
pany. after travelling two hundred miles were compelled
tafry by the way and made of rude settlement
place by them called Mount Psgah; others in like cir
have Joined ned us from time to time until our
9e s Was s gen, general move during the
another class of poor besides the widow and the orphan,
that could leave until compelled do point of
ewed along the Iowa sde without shelter without food
the necessary clothing and many must have persisted
Quincy, who noby and voluntarily them tempo
y relief o and they ARE nov scattered along the Des%one
you'd be proper here 70 add my testimony to that OF
Walker, OF Baltimore, that they moral and indnstri
Gus peoples and will say further that there sol
over twelve thousand souls
But, before l close wish advert for one moment to
the saerngs of the camp that called represent
During the latter part OF the and fan season the
changes of the climate. combined with all exposures,
brought desolatng sickness, and many whose high
toned feelings and aspirations for liberty and freedom had
DEATH while many the widows and orphans are lef to
mourn in the solitary wilderness the bereavement of friends
of eastern life once common comforts of this people,
are now changed for the most common wants and tho
these comforts but almost Naked and destitute Of the
cessary clothing them from the inclemency of the
weather and the vicissudes Of changing climate
Thus situated, gentlemen, compelled look back
to the land of adoption and the land which gave
birth, and humbly and most earnestly appeal to your
sympathes, your magnaminity, and your benevolence
and knowing that your generous hands have been out
stretched foreign countries suffering from fires, FAM
me- and other national calamities and the highest virtues
which have characterized any people have always dis
tinguished the American characters and, conidng your
bcnecolence, believe you will assist with your liberal
donations with the suffering crcum stances
, OF an afflicted and oppressed people
And while your generous spirits shall administer to
people and downodden from the face of civiza-
ZION, Time shall yet raise lasting your fame,
the God Of Nations shall smile upon your national great
ness and great growing, and virtuous people shall hand
down apes 10 poseriy as beneaciors in the age
which you lived
The Rev. Mr. Gurley and Gen. Green followed in ad-
dresses to the meeting, urging the claims of the destitute
people the humanity and assistance OF the community
after which (thc present meeting being thin in
quence OF the unfavoabe weather. and in order obtain
, fuller one) it moved TO adjourn the meeting TO
Thursday evening next at the Baptist Church on street
and it adjourned accordingly,
An adjourned meeting WILL therefore, take place TO-
morrow evening at the Rev. Mr. Samsons church on +
street, at half-past O'clock at which all humane
persons are invited TO attend.
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