Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-12-18

IL 10 me when requested It time ans
again'
Pardon me for quoting the following
harsh expression from your letter: "Ths
evident purpose in publishing these com.
munications vas to excite public s. ~.
) pathy and the unnecessary and super
fuous appeals they contain convey the
impression that they were con.
cocted for that purpose" Juding from
the way these appeals were treated, they
were indeed "snperfuous and unneces-
sary." Had known that they would
have been so regarded never would
have made them / will confess they
were appeals, not to the public but TO
my brethren. They were cries OF an
guish from a heart racked with pain.
They were pleas for mercy-prayers for
light-for information as to my Offend
ing. But why should you imagine that
that they were published to excite pub
tic sympathy DO you consider that 10
be the natural result of their publica-
tion1 An appeal from one In dis
tress, in jeopardy. is not "concoctedp
Rather does 1t not require the deibera-
lions of a trained, skilled and diplomatic
mind to close the ears and hearts of men
against such appeals
You say; During that interval (Aphl
10 October) he was visited by many of
his brethren, some of them apostles, and |
no change was effected. but he failed |
even TO attend the October conference
or TO manifest a disposition TO conform
TO the principles of the declaration It
Is true that he was IN poor bodily health
during that period But he was not TOO
Ill 10 upbraid brethren who tried to i'm
press him with the danger OF his posi-
ton nor to accuse some of them OF
having "blanketsd" their conscience in
signing the declaration
hi you, President Snow. ever hear
me say anything of the kind' Which of
he brethren did | upbraid or accuse of
his conscience? You do :
rot seem aware OF the fact that, Of all
he apostles and members of the first
presidency, only one, Apostle F. d.
Richards, ever talked with me about the
manifesto since the day 1t was presented !,
o me for my signature. True, Brothers :,
Richards and Young called one day just =
IS | was leaving my residence In Salt a
AXE City for the depot, with guests and b
f,lL n fa.s - III Ia
iage was waiting at the door At an
ther time / said to Brother John Hen u
y Smith. "How could you, knowing as -
on do OF my work In the church for ~
uarter OF century, vote for my sus-
ension simply because could not see :,
W way clear to sign the manifested
low could you adjudge me guilty con- -
emn me and execute your judgment
I within few hours and without
earing?" file replied: al will not talk ~
it'll you about that, for you are too i'll,
nd conversation on that subject co
il make you nervous" then said: bu
Which, Brother John, do you think pa
ould make me most nervous and Ill, sis
have the bretheren humiliate and de- sp
-ade me by dropping me out of my re
ace, or talking about It after the deed is n
me" Said he 81 am with my bre.h. W,
n" ~ ar
During all these wsacy months we
'''e friends and physicians believed I pr
IS on the Verge Of the grave, l was be
"'"'S'erea ~ only once by members VIC
our qXorum. althogh day after day We
s"lsSments made for that purpose II
for reasons unknown to me, not oe
pit. And after the manifesto was re- ~
rned to you unsigned, none of the ~
ostles. excepting the three mentioned, ~
err came to my house or Visited me for 'e'
y purpose whatever. | do not men ''s
IN this By way of complaint, but be- PA
use, from the general tone and certain Wv
dement's IN your letter. you do not .e'
20 be fully acquainted with these '"'
is, 81
A few men holding lesser authority se'
the church called and argued with N'
!, aud sometimes may have heard the eo'
evish plants OF sick man. which. It '0'
ms, were carefully delivered and pre- /
we'd, and with which you are now a o
ling to reproaeh me. II appears that des
cry groan that I uttered in my pain but
a weakness was borne away and used enc
poison the minds of those living In for
, light against a weak and helpless me
'ther. aut
~ his connection would Ike 20 tair