I have been interested in the remarks made by Brother Cannon, who has
addressed us, because I am personally well conversant with most of the
events to which he has referred. I also coincide with him in his
feelings as regards the position we ought to occupy in this Territory
as an integral part of the United States, in relation to the
melancholy event which has so recently transpired in the nation; for
all right feeling people must execrate a crime like that attempted on
the life of the President. It is usual with many people when they
think they have received an injury to hope and wish that the like
calamity may rest upon those who are their opponents, or by whom they
have received, or supposed they have received, certain slights or
injuries; and it is very difficult for such people to comprehend the
principle that actuates, or ought to actuate, all high-minded,
honorable men, especially those who profess to be influenced by that
Gospel which was introduced by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our
motives as Latter-day Saints should be very different indeed from
those which many are actuated by, who do not believe in the principles
enunciated in the Gospel of the Son of God. Our mission to the world
is a mission of peace. Our proclamation is the same as that which was
made by the angels of mercy who heralded the advent of the Son of God;
it is: "Peace on earth, and good will toward men." We have never
entertained any other feeling or principle than this; nor do we desire
to cherish any unhallowed feelings in our bosoms either to individuals
or the nation.
Reference has been made by Bro. Cannon in his remarks to the
feeling and animus which exist among many calling themselves
Christians, in their conventions, etc., in their endeavors to stir up
a spirit of persecution and opposition to us. Let them take their
course; let them follow the influence by which they are governed. We
cannot afford to entertain a spirit of that kind, nor do we desire to
cherish a spirit of retaliation. If Jesus, when upon the earth, could
patiently endure the scoffs, sneers and reproaches of men which were
so indiscriminately heaped upon Him; if we are in possession of the
principles which were enunciated by Him, we can afford also to cherish
the same noble and magnanimous feelings which dwelt in His bosom. I
know of no other principle than this associated with the Gospel of the
Son of God, whether in this age or any other age. Jesus came here
according to the foreordained plan and purpose of God, pertaining to
the human family, as the Only Begotten of the Father full of grace and
truth. He came to offer himself a sacrifice, the just for the unjust;
to meet the requirements of a broken law, which the human family were
incapable of meeting, to rescue them from the ruins of the fall, to
deliver them from the power of death to which all peoples had been
subjected by the transgression of a law, and He Himself took the
initiatory in this matter, and offered himself, the Son of God, as
competent propitiation for the sins of the world. And when He was
opposed, rejected, cast out, spat upon and maligned; and again, when
He was crucified, in His last remark He used the words which have
already been referred to, "Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do." He taught that it was written in the law in olden
times, that there should be "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a
tooth;" but says He, "I say unto you, That ye resist not evil * * Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust." These were principles worthy of a God;
these were feelings which if cherished by the human family, would
elevate them from that low, groveling position in which they are
laboring, would place them on a more elevated platform, would bring
them into communion with their Heavenly Father, and prepare them for
an association with the Gods in the eternal worlds.
In reference to this late melancholy affair which has occurred, I feel
in my heart a strong sympathy for President Garfield. People may think
this strange. Why, say they, did he not make some remarks which are
calculated to injure you as a people? Yes. But he, like the rest of us
is a fallible being. We are all fallible, and it is not every man who
can resist the pressure which is brought to bear upon him, and the
influence by which he may be surrounded. Even Pilate, who was inspired
by strong principles of justice, found it difficult to resist the
popular clamor against Jesus; he felt a disposition to deliver the
Savior from the position in which he was placed by his enemies, and
asked the people, What harm has this man done? Nothing. Only the
people continued to cry out, "Crucify him, crucify him;" and in answer
to their demands he delivered Jesus into their hands, saying,
however, "I wash my hands of his blood." He had not the
firmness to resist the cries of the population but yielded to their
unreasonable demands.
But to return. In speaking of these matters, I have reasons
personally, myself, to have very vindictive feelings if I would
entertain them, in regard to misrule and mob violence, for under the
pledge of the governor of Illinois, made to me and to Dr. Bernhisel,
(who is here presented) Joseph and Hyrum Smith were guaranteed
protection, and the governor pledged us his faith and that of the
State therefore. But these two innocent victims were slain in cold
blood, and the very guards whom the governor ostensibly placed for
their protection, assisted in the murder, whilst I, myself, who was
not there as a prisoner, received four balls at the time of their
massacre. Under these infamous circumstances it would be very natural
for a man to entertain vindictive feelings. But do I have feelings of
revenge in my heart concerning these men? No. Did any of you ever hear
me give utterance to feelings of that kind? I think not. I do not wish
to be governed by such influences. Those who perpetrate such acts have
enough to answer for without any maledictions from me. I do not
cherish feelings of that kind. I consider that all these things are
governed by an all-wise and inscrutable Providence, by a God who rules
and regulates, manages and directs the affairs of the human family. I
saw Joseph and Hyrum Smith mortally wounded by men with blackened
faces, and, as I have said, I was severely wounded—quite as severely
as President Garfield is. Do I feel enmity towards these men? No,
their case is not an enviable one. There is a Being who knows the acts
of the human family and is acquainted with their affairs, who will
judge all men and all nations according to their deserts. Do I know
this? I do know it. The Gospel reveals many things to us which others
are unacquainted with. I knew of those terrible events which were
coming upon this nation previous to the breaking out of our great
fratricidal war, just as well as I now know that they transpired, and
I have spoken of them to many. What of that? Do I not know that a
nation like that in which we live, a nation which is blessed with, the
freest, the most enlightened and magnificent government in the world
today, with privileges which would exalt people to heaven if lived up
to—do I not know that if they do not live up to them, but violate them
and trample them under their feet, and discard the sacred principles
of liberty by which we ought to be governed—do I not know that their
punishment will be commensurate with the enlightenment which they
possess? I do. And I know—I cannot help but know—that there are a
great many more afflictions yet awaiting this nation. But would I put
forth my hand to help bring them on? God forbid! And you, you
Latter-day Saints, would you exercise your influence to the
accomplishment of an object of that kind? God forbid! But we cannot
help but know these things. But our foreknowledge of these matters
does not make us the agents in bringing them to pass. We are told that
the wicked will slay the wicked. We are told in sacred writ, "that
vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay." And in speaking
of ourselves we need not be under any apprehensions pertaining to the
acts of men, for the Lord has said, "It is my business to take care of
my saints;" but it is our business to be Saints. And to be
worthy of that character it is our duty to live by the principles of
virtue, truth, integrity, holiness, purity, and honor, that we may at
all times secure the favor of Almighty God; that His blessings may be
with us and dwell in our bosoms; that the peace of God may abide in
our habitations; that our fields, our flocks, and our herds may be
blessed of the Lord; and that we, as a people, may be under His divine
protection. Fear him and keep his commandments, and if we do this we
need know no other fear either on this side of heaven or of hell, for
God has pledged himself to take care of his people and to sustain and
deliver them from the hands of their enemies, Therefore we may feel
easy, and we can always afford to treat all men right. What! Would you
treat your enemies well? Why, yes. If they were hungry I would feed
them; if they were thirsty I would give them drink; if they were naked
I would clothe them; but I would not be governed by their principles,
nor influenced by the feelings which animate their bosoms. I would try
and imitate and cherish the same truths that dwell in the bosom of
God, who makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and the
rain to fall on the just and on the unjust. Then, having done that, I
would leave them in the hands of God, and let him direct his affairs
according to the counsels of his own will.
I am sorry to see this murderous influence prevailing throughout the
world, and perhaps this may be a fitting occasion to refer to some of
these matters. The manifestations of turbulence and uneasiness which
prevail among the nations of the earth are truly lamentable. Well,
have I anything to do with them? Nothing; but I cannot help but know
that they exist. These feelings which tend to do away with all right,
rule, and government, and correct principles are not from God, or many
of them are not. This feeling of communism and nihilism, aimed at the
overthrow of rulers and men in position and authority, arises from a
spirit of diabolism, which is contrary to every principle of the
Gospel of the Son of God. But then do not the Scripture say that these
things shall occur? Yes. Do not the scriptures say that men shall grow
worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived? Yes. Do not the
scriptures tell us that thrones shall be cast down and empires
destroyed and the rule and government of the earth be trodden under
foot? Yes. But I cannot help but sympathize with those who suffer from
their influences; while these afflictions are the result of wickedness
and corruption, yet we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that those who
engage in these pernicious practices are exceedingly low, brutal,
wicked and degraded. I would say "my soul come not thou into their
secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united."
I have traveled abroad myself, quite extensively among the nations of
the earth. Did I ever interfere with them? No, not in the least
particular. Did I see things that were wrong? Yes, but it was not for
me to right them. That was not my mission. I had no command of the
kind. My mission was to preach the Gospel of salvation to the nations
of the earth, and I have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles to do
this, without purse or scrip, trusting in God. And so have many of my
friends traveled. We did not hurt anybody, did we? For instance, now, right in our own city, we have Methodists,
Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics, Episcopalians, and all kinds of
isms. Do we interfere with them? We do not. Would you interrupt them
in their worship? I know of no such thing, good Latter-day Saints will
not do it. Would I malign or persecute them? No, I would not. If we
told the truth about some of them it would be quite bad enough without
stating falsehoods, and if other men cannot afford to treat us aright,
we can afford to treat them properly and to give the fullest and
broadest liberty to all who come within our reach; liberty to do
right, not liberty to oppress, not liberty to trample upon correct
principles, not liberty to rob men of their property or religion. Men
who would do this are villains which we want nothing to do with; but
all honorable men, all men who do right and maintain the laws and the
Constitution of the United States, we are their friends and will
sustain them to the last. These are my thoughts in relation to that
matter.
In connection with President Garfield, have we any feelings of enmity?
No; I have none. I feel truly to sympathize with him in his
affliction, but I feel more profoundly moved that deeds of this
description can occur in a free, liberal and enlightened government
like this. We might expect such things in some of the European nations
where the principles of nihilism exist to so great an extent, and
where there seems a disposition to subvert all rule and government and
place the people and nations in the hands of irresponsible mobs, and
of low, brutal, murderous men, without any regard to the principles of
law, order, justice, equity and righteousness. I could account for
some of these things taking place there. It is really astonishing to
see what efforts are being made to accomplish the overthrow of rule
and government in Russia, Austria, Germany, Spain, England, Italy,
France, Turkey, etc. These things are beginning to spread among and
permeate the nations of the earth. Do we expect them? Yes. These
secret combinations were spoken of by Joseph Smith, years and years
ago. I have heard him time and time again tell about them, and he
stated that when these things began to take place the liberties of
this nation would begin to be bartered away. We see many signs of
weakness which we lament, and we would to God that our rulers would be
men of righteousness, and that those who aspire to position would be
guided by honorable feelings—to maintain inviolate the Constitution
and operate in the interest, happiness, well-being, and protection of
the whole community. But we see signs of weakness and vacillation. We
see a policy being introduced to listen to the clamor of mobs and of
unprincipled men who know not of what they speak, nor whereof they
affirm, and when men begin to tear away with impunity one plank after
another from our Constitution, by and by we shall find that we are
struggling with the wreck and ruin of the system which the forefathers
of this nation sought to establish in the interests of humanity. But
it is for us still to sustain these glorious principles of liberty
bequeathed by the founders of this nation, still to rally round the
flag of the Union, still to maintain all correct principles, granting
the utmost extent of liberty to all people of all grades and of all
nations. If other people see fit to violate these sacred principles,
we must uphold them in their en tirety, in their purity, and be
patriotic and law-abiding and act honorably toward our nation and to
its rulers. It is truly deplorable to see our President, the President
of this great and mighty nation, one of the greatest rulers in the
world stricken down by an assassin. Yet these things we have to mourn
over. But in all cases it is for us to be true to our God and to our
religion, to obey the laws of God, cleaving to correct principles,
letting purity, virtue, honor, truth and integrity characterize all
our acts, that we may be the blessed of the Lord.
I pray God to bless you, and that we may be led in the paths of light;
and I pray God to bless all honorable men everywhere, and to bless our
President and our rulers who rule in righteousness, and that wherein
any of them are doing wrong, that they may be led in the right path,
and that we may be led to pursue that course at all times that shall
secure the approbation of God, the approbation of our own conscience
and the esteem and respect of all honorable men everywhere. Regarding
the notions of others, we care nothing; our trust is in God; and we
will try and observe His laws and keep His commandments. May God help
us to do so in the name of Jesus. Amen.