The New York herald., 1870-01-23


our feelings We have felt . long time, and why not
express our feeilngsf IL now becomes our duty 70
draft resolutions expressive OF the Feelings OF the
ladies OF this city.
THE COMMITTEE or SISTER SAINTS ON RESOLUTIONS.
A committee on resolutions was then selected. 1t
consisted OF
Sister Margaret Smoot one OF the wives OF the
former Mayor.
SISTER Rachel Grant one Of Jedediah's widows.
and who subsequently, married his brother George,
from whom she mas since been separated.
SISTER Merinda hyde, one OF the wives OF Orson,
who ~ one OF the twelve apostles.
Sister Isabella NJ. Horu who has borne dfteen
children to her husband, who has several other
wives.
Sister Priscilla Staines, formerly one OF the wives
OF Tom Williams. who was Killed by indians some
seventeen years ago. but now one OF the wives or an
energetic agent oil the Church.
sister Mary \. Leaver, presldentress OF one OF the
ward female rellei societies.
Sister Elizabeth Mcclellan. wife OF one OF the
ward bishops.
When the names had been announced the sisters
were requested to retire to prepare the resolutions
which. however, had already been prepared. They
retired however, ana renamed absent long white,
during which several sisters spoke or read their
speeches.
Sister Lizzie Snow was the first IN order bur she
asked TO be allowed 10 wait while until her voice.
which was not just then In trim, should DO more
recovered
SPEECH or SISTER BATHsHEBA sMiTH.
The speech OF Sister Bathsheba smith, one OF the
wives OF George A. Smith, who is cousin to the
former prophet Joseph, first Counsellor to the pres
ent prophet Brigham. historian of the Church and
next In authority to Young himself was then read
by sister Hannah I. King, poetess, as IOli0ws:-
BELOVED SISTERS AND FRrENDs-lt Is with no
ordinary feelings that meet with you On tue pres
ent occasion From my carly youth nave been
identified with the Latter Day Saints hence have
peen an eye and ear witness to many oi the scenes
OF intoleranL persecution. watched by the bedside
OF sne r5i apostle Dayia ns rs.ten a,u VINO a ei
shot oy q meb while defending the saints tn Ray
county, State Of Missouri. on tine 25th Of October,
1858. AS Brother Patterns llfeblOod Oozed away
stood by and heard his dying testimony to the
truth OF our holy religion: declaring himself TO be
TREND TO all MANKIND, he sacrifced ms lie purely to
defend me innocent. He had no feelings or hos
t,llty TO his race, but labored TO exat them. HIS
last words addressed TO his wife were:--"Whatever
you do, OH do not deny the faith" THIS circum-
stance made a lasting impression upon my youthful
mud. In missouri mobs were burning houses and
Killing The SAINTS, when an army was sent by Gov
ernof B0ggs which. we supposed, had come to pro-
ect But, alas time proved that 1t came 10 con-
tinue the same dreadful Work, reducing the whole
people from competence 70 extreme poverty send
ing them forth under an extermlnatng order. IN
MD winter, 200 miles across the bleak prairtes
among strangers IN strange State. leaving
tnelr homes anu property to De possessed by their
prosecutors. was Intimately acquainted with the
life and ministry OF our beloved prophet and patr-
arch, Joseph and Hyram Smith. l know that they
were pure men, who labored for the redemption OF
the human family. For SIX years heard their pub
lic and private teachings. IL was from their lips
that heard taught the principle OF celestial mar
rage ana when saw their manged forms cold In
death, having been slain for the testimony OF Jesus
by the hands OF cruel blgOs, IN dehance OF law JUS
tice and executive pledges; and although this was
scene OF barbarous cruelty, which can never be
erased from the MINDS OF those VINO heard the heart
rending cffes OF widows ana orphans, aud Mingled
Gner tears with those OF thousands Oh witnesses ol
mourntul occasion, :he memories OF which
hardly eel willing TO awaken yet realize that tney
had sealed their ministry with their blood ana that
their testimony was in force. On the Sth
OF February, 1sa6-tne middle OF cold and
bleak wluter-my husband just rising from bed OF
sickness III company With thousands OF the saints,
was driven again from my comfortable home. the
accumulation oil SIX years industry and prudence
ana, witn Two little children, commenced long and
weary journey, through wilderness, over prairles,
deserts and mountains TO seek another nome for
wicked mob had decreed we must eave. Governor
Ford, oil Illinois, said the laws were pOWerlesS to
protect US. Exposed TO the cod OF winter and the
storms OF spring, We continued our journey, amid
want and exposure, buryin2 by the Waysidoa dear
mother and son and many KIND friends and relatives
We reached the Missouri river III July. Here our
country thought proper TO make requisiton for q
battalion To defend our nag i'll the war pendIng with
Mexico. We responded promptly, many or my KIM
dred stepping forward aud performing Journey
characterized by their commanding olicer as 'unpa-
raleed tn hisoIyn Win most OF our youth and mid
die aged men gone we could not proceed; hence we
were compelled 70 make another nome, which,
though nulnoie, approaching wlnLer made very de-
SireDle. in lsiI-4b all who were able through sell
ing their surplus property. proceeded; We who
remained were told by an unfeeilDg Indian agent
that mast yacate our houses and recroSs the
Missouri river, rs tne laws would not permit us to
remain on Indian lands. We Obeyed. aud again
made a new home, though only a few miles distant.
This latter we abandoned IN lS49 Tor the puT.
pose OF joining our coregioni5ts In the then laron
region denomlnated on the maps 1.-The Great Desert"
and Dy some later geosraphers as Eastern Upper
California" In tins isolated country we made new
homes, and for time commended with the crlckets
for scanty subsistence. Inc rude, ignorant and
almost nude Indians were heavy tax upon us whie
struggling again W MAKE comfortable homes and
m
Tor we were buoyea with the happy reflections tnxt
we were at peace and nad found an asylum In such
undesirable country as TO strengthen us IN the
hope that houses would not be coveted, and tnat
should we, through the blessing OF God, succeed IN
fee neartless enough to withhold from us that reli.
gious liberty w1lcn we had sought IN vain among
our former neighbors Without recapituiaung our
recent history The development OF people whose
industry aud morality have extracted eulo9y from
their most bitter traducerS cannot help expressing
my surprise, mingled with regret and Indignation
at the recent proceeding OF those who, ignorant OF
our real condition and bigotted and led on by the
Vice PRESIDENT, would aid reckless spectators who
ing to rob tile inhabitants OF these valleys their
hard earned possessions and. what Is dearer, the
constitutional boon OF religious liberty applause
SPEECH OF SISTER RITTER.
Sister Ritter, who has been long mother In Israel
then spoke rs follows.--
In rising before this vast assembly and consider
ing the importance OF This meeting my heart Is filled
with gratitude which words cannot express. We
nave moi met here, my beloved sisters as women Of
other states and Territories meet, to complain tue
wrongs ana abuses INDICTED upon US by our nus
bands, our fathers and our sons; but We happy
and proud TO state that we have such afllcions
and abuses 70 complain or. Neither do we ASK Tor
the right oI franchise; nor do we ask for more law
more liberty or more rights from our husbands and
brothers. for there Is no spot this wide eartn
where kindness and affection are more bestowed
upon women ana her rights 80 sacredly defended.
We are here to express our love ior each other and
to exhibit to the word our devotion to God our
Heavenly Father, ana our willingness to comply
with the requirements OF the Gospel; and as the
law OF celestal marriage s one OF the requirements
we are resolved 10 honor, teach and practice the
same May God grant us strength to do 50 (Amen I
from the assembly, and that We may continue to
enjoy freedom and civil and religious liberty, ask
IN tue name of Jesus Christ. (An0ther amen.)
SPEECH OF ONE OF BRIGHAMs WIVES.
Sister Harriet Cook Young, one of Brighams
wives then came forward and read her speech as
foilows:-
In rising to address this meeting delicacy prompts
me to explain the chief motives which dictated our
present action. We the ladies' or Salt Lake City,
have assembled here to-day not for the purpose OF
assuming any particular political power, nor TO
claim any special prerOgatve which may or may
not belong to our sex, Dut to express our indigna
IN hall OF NJ man uvn