INTERLOPERS.

I have received the first number of "The Western Courier," a paper printed in Homer Village, by Messrs. Roberts and Hull; a history of the establishment of which, and some remarks, upon the editorial address, will compose the body of this article and will enable the public to anticipate its future character....

No one can more sincerely regret the division of the republican party than I do -- a party to whose principles I have been irresisiibly attached, even from my infancy; and there is a responsibility resting somewhere, which ought to fall heavily on the faction which caused its disunion. The cause of the breach has heretofore been touched upon in this paper, and will be passed over at present, with a promise to renew the subject, as soon as my opponents may think proper to call me to the field.

It is in consequence of this breach, however, that I have lost the support of some of my futmer patrons, and to which the editors of the Western Courier, are indebted for their establishment... A few men of this county, of both ancient political parties, have leagued together; bought a press, and enticed a couple of young men from Albany, who appear as editors of the paper mentioned at the commencement of this article. They profess to be republicans, and call for the support of their republican friends. How numerous these are, I shall not pretend to say; but they will undoubtedly have the support of those who own the press, so long as they are obedient to their employers -- I will not say... They probably consider their prospects better than mine, supported as they are, by a combination of men, whose prejudice and whose interest both unite, to keep them in existence.


Note 1: At the end of September, 1820, Elijah J. Roberts and D. G. Hull established the Western Courier, a "Republican" newspaper, in Homer. David Campbell (then editor of the Repository), evidently obtained his first copy a week or two later, and was unhappy to see another "Republican" paper starting up in his home town. In subsequent mentions in his columns, Campbell called Roberts and Hull "Bucktails," or De Witt Clinton opponents. But those two journalists also used that same term in a derogatory manner, typical of a third New York faction of the splintering Democratic-Republicans. Roberts and Hull were perhaps financed by the "People's Party," a Republican faction opposed both to the Van Burenite "Regency" and to the prospect of Clinton regaining the governorship.

Note 2: Whatever their political motivations may have been, after publishing two volumes (in 1820-21 and 1821-22) Roberts and Hull gave up their efforts in Cortland County and sold the Western Courier to a young Homer resident named William W. Phelps. He announced his affinity with the Yates administration in Albany, and extended the Courier's support to Samuel Young, as the "Regency" geared up to oppose Clinton's return to power. That left Homer with one "independent" shett and two others advocating the old Democratic-Republican principles: the combative David Campbell was unhappy with this outcome. In retrospect, he reported: "After a very short time this [Courier] establishment was removed to Cortland, and then began a wordy battle more bitter and persistant than the former one * * * between the new candidate [W. W. Phelps] for political fame and the Republican (see Lois Bryson O'Connor, Sylvia G Faibisoff, et al., "A Bibliography of Newspapers in in Fourteen New York State Counties -- Cortland," in New York History LIV, 1973, p. 95).

Note 3: Following his move to neighboring Cortland Village, W. W. re-named his paper the Cortland Courier. By then he was a master printer (and evidently a Master Mason, as well). In order to prepare for his career as a practical printer, William must have previously served an apprenticeship in a printing office -- somewhere. He may have gained that experience with Campbell's Courtland Republican, or with Homer's earlier paper, Searl's Courtland Repository, or perhaps the apprenticeship was served in some other, long-forgotten upstate New York newspaper office.

At a meeting of the Canvassers duly organized and held in and for the county of Cortland, at the Clerk's Office, in the village of Cortland, town of Homer, in said county, on the 12th day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1822, Martin Keep, Esq. was chosen Chairman, and Matthais Cook being Clerk of the said county, was ex officio Secretary... The Board having calculated and ascertained the aggregate amount, or whole number of votes given at an Election, held in and for the county of Cortland, on the 4th day of November, 1822, and the two succeeding days, inclusive, for the purpose of electing members of the Assembly, one Sheriff, one Clerk, and four Coroners, do certify, determine, and declare conformably to the statements or certificates made and delivered by the Inspectors of Elections, of the several towns in the said county, that Daniel Sherwood and John Gillet, Esqrs. by the greatest number of votes in said county, were duly elected members of the Assembly...

State of votes given in an Election in the said county, on the fourth day of November, 1822, and the two succeeding days, inclusive, for the purpose of choosing one Governor, one Lieutenant Governor, four Senators, and one Representative in the Congress of the United States, to wit: --

Governor:
{Joseph C. Yates 1125
{Solomon Southwick 3
{De Witt Clinton 5
{William W. Phelps 1
{Daniel Sherwood 2
{William Hunter 1
Note 1: The single W. W. Phelps-for-Governor vote was cast in Homer, where Phelps was still living in 1822. This election took place about a month after he had taken over the Western Courier in that town, and it is possible that some enthusiastic advocate of his editorship chose to celebrate the event by writing W. W.'s name on a slip of paper and placing it in the ballot box (or the polling hat, as was more likely the situation in those early days). Another possibility is that Phelps himself cast the lone, strange ballot. A few years later, in Canandaigua, he would compose the manic message: "...it is my province to hold over, until I have a successor appointed equal in power and glory! I cannot expect any tidings less..." Such a mind might well nominate, second, and attempt to elect itself Governor of the State of New York (or lieutenant governor -- see E. D. Howe's 1834 remarks regarding Phelps).

Note 2: Solomon Southwick's name would again appear juxtaposed with that of W. W. Phelps in numerous subsequent publications. See, for example, the Livingston Journal of Aug. 12, 1829. Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography supplies this explanation of why Southwick's name would have come up, in an 1822 election in Homer: "in opposition to the views of a majority of his party, [Southwick] presented himself as a candidate for governor."

CORTLAND COUNTY.

At a meeting of the republicans of the county of Cortland, conveued at the house of J[abez] B. Phelps, in Cortland Village, pursuant to public notice, Moses Hopkins, Esq. was called to the chair, and John Gillet, Esq. appointed secretary -- whereupon it was

Resolved, Flint David Coys and Washington G. Parker be a committee to meet the Senatorial Convention at Oxford on the first Tuesday of October next.

Resolved, That C. W. Lynde and C. Comstock be substitutes.

Resolved, That E. C. Reed, N. Dayton, W. W. Phelps and Levi Bowen, be a committee to draft resolutions for this meeting --

Whereupon the following were reported, and unanimously adopted: --

Resolved, That we consider the selection of candidates for elective officers, by delegates chosen for that purpose, to be the strongest and securest safeguard of Republican principles and the mode of nomination most consistent with our representative form of government.

Resolved, That regular nominations have been sanctioned by the approbation of the most distinguished statesmen of our country, and the uniform practice of the republican party.

Resolved, that we consider it the duty of republicans to adhere to that method of nomination, as the only means by which they have secured the ascendency of their principles, and by which they can hope to contend successfully against the machinations and intrigues of their political opponents.

                              MOSES HOPKINS, Chairman.
JOHN GILLET, Secretary.

The Cortland Courier adds the following remarks to the above proceedings:

The editors of the Albany Argus have published the proceedings of a convention held at Auburn, Cayuga county, on the 2d inst. They say they breathe a strain of devotion to correct principles, worthy of the source from whence they are derived, and prove that the republican party in that part of the state at least is not "dissolved by the hand of time and power of circumstances."

We can assure the editors of that paper, that time, and the machinations and influence of our opponents, have done little towards a dissolution of the republican party; and as to circumstances, we are apprehensive that they may have affected but few that could not well be parted with. We think we may be justified in saying that unity in our ranks, is, in a measure increasing. The great question: -- 'Who shall be the next President?' which has long agitated the public mind, will eventually terminate in a contest between two candidates; the one who receives the regular nomination, will be supported by the republicans, and the other, by the Federalists.

In our convention, noticed above, the concord of republican sentiment, the avowals of republican principles, the free expression of public opinion, and the firm reliance in regular nominations by delegation, as the only sure mode of perpetuating the inestimable blessings of liberty and independence in a representative form of government, prevailed without dissimilarity.

Note: The remarks quoted from the Western Courier were probably written by W. W. Phelps.

The editor of the Courier, says, "I shall not desert the good cause, so long as I have the Doctor's certificate, (under OATH!) that he believes I am "of a good moral character."

REPLY.

As a School Inspector, I did sign the certificate alluded to, but I did not know, at the time, that Mr. Phelps was the same identical William W. Phelps, the fifer, who deserted the Army in 1813. Now Mr. Phelps, be still, and "hold up a spell," and we will let you alone.

Note 1: Dr. Jesse Searl, editor of the Homer Cortland Repository, here provides what is probably the genesis of a nickname that dogged W. W. throughout the remainder of his tenure in the state of New York: "Fifer Phelps." Dr. Searl mentions that he previously had provided W. W. with a certificate that included a recommendation of his "good moral character." Since this was issued by Searl the "School Inspector," presumably it had something to do with educational facilities/institutions in Homer. Maybe the Courier editor had once applied for a teacher's job in that town, before setting his sights on the loftier position of newspaper editor. Whatever the case may have been, Phelps chose to characterize the paper as a physician's certificate -- the sort of document that (perhaps) a homesick private in the state militia would obtain in order to get released from service.

Note 2: There were a number of U. S. citizens wearing their country's army uniform in 1813, whose names were "William Phelps." There was even a "William W. Phelps" who enlisted in Schoharie County. But none of these War of 1812 servicemen is listed as being a regimental fifer. Such a position was typically occupied by the youngest member of the group and William W. Phelps of Homer was a over-ripe adult of twenty-one winters by the year 1813. Although it seems unlikely that he ever enlisted as a Cortland (then Onondaga) militia fifer, that possibility cannot be totally ruled out. A deserter who had only recently joined the army might have escaped being listed on the official rolls. Also, an older soldier who was unfit for combat could have been assigned the less dangerous rank of fifer. W. W. appears to have never denied the charges thus leveled against him -- or, if he did attempt to refute them, they did not disappear.

Note 3: Geneva Gazette editor James Bogart was an old hand in the rural New York newspaper game. He was in a position to have known something about W. W. Phelps as early as 1822, when the latter first began publicizing himself in the Courier. Bogart first coined the term "phifer Phelps" in his issue of October 20, 1830, when John C. Spencer was reported to have met with W. W. in Canandaigua. If editor Bogart was attempting to undermine the presumed reliability of Spencer's new friend, he chose a subtle way of hinting that the Phoenix editor Phelps, might prove to be a deserting phifer from the cause of political anti-Masonry (and from that of politician Spencer as well). Bogart resumed his journalistic assault at a much higher intensity, in the special supplement accompanying his issue of Nov. 1, 1830. Here the "phifer" term is employed repeatedly, in order to lampoon and discredit Phelps' interactions with prominent anti-Masonic politicians, such as John C. Spencer (John C. Somerset) and Stephen Bates (Stephen Sapboiler), etc. The Palmyra Wayne Sentinel picked up on this trend in its Oct. 11, 1831 number, and the Rochester Republican joined the attack on Aug. 21, 1832 and Sept. 18, 1832. By July 3. 1833 the memory of W. W. in upstate New York was beginning to fade -- but his infamous nickname lingered on, for at least a couple of years following his departure (some would call it a desertion) for a new life in the West.

FROM  THE  CORTLAND  COURIER.

MARRIED.

How much is comprehended in these two syllables -- "the twain are one flesh!" The contemplative mind anticipates in it the future history of man. It means a look on matrimony, but at the same time, is the outset of living; the outfit of enterprise; the stepping-stone of pleasure and happiness; the main-spring of prosperity; the rag-wheel of adversity; and the high-way of life. By this Heaven-instituted right, the great chain of being is constantly progressing; its links are almost innumerable, and reach from sea to sea. To the interrogative -- "Where is your darling?" how often is the answer: -- "Married, and gone to the new countries!" In truth, the statesman, the orator, the hero, the genius, the artist, yea, the king and the beggar, and virtuous and vicious, are all indebted to this tie for their existence. The first consideration after we have ate our white bread, is a life partnership -- this formed, we see in the newspapers, between the passing events and deaths of the day -- Married -- and here, save a hearty laugh or two, the matter ends. So it goes -- but why should it? It is the fortune of some and the fate of others. He married a fortune, is a common saying, and a true one, when a young man of decorum unites with a lady, whose portion is prudence, virtue, and refinement -- but he [who] weds an heir to poverty and seals his fate, who takes to himself a dashing dame, whose only endowments are beauty, pride, and discontent. How pleasing are the prospects of a new married couple! The honey-moon of fancy beams in every feature; their minds are big with future happiness; they sport in contentment, and carol in expectation, but their unknown destiny, like all created things, is mixed with good and evil. The fond solace of Marriage is lost in the busy bustle of business -- care and anxiety, pleasure and pain, health and sickness, are the allotments of life -- youth is succeeded by age and   "Death comes next -- they make their exit."

Note: A few months earlier Cortland Courier editor William Wines Phelps and Stella Waterman Phelps had celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. Perhaps this piece was inspired by W. W.'s retrospective pondering of that milestone. As was often the case, his poetic musings ended on a somber note -- compare the above with the final lines of his 1830 blank verse: "Let us be mindful that such scenes, / Are representations of death & glory in miniature."

"Procul! O procul! este profani"
Proxime! O proxime! este probe!"

'The deed is done!' -- The Utica Convention has labored and brought forth De Witt Clinton and James Tallmadge, as candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of this state. There are now [three] sides in politicts -- Republican, and Federal and Clintonian; and we, as attached to the principles of the former, as friends of the present administration; as advocates of the rights of man; and as heralds of the passing tidings of the times, proclaim in the language of the venerable, but deceased George Clinton -- "BEWARE OF DE WITT! Esteem his talents, but check his ambition!"

Note: The exact date of W. W. Phelps' exasperated editorial remarks in the Cortland Courier is uncertain. The quotation is taken from the Geneseo Livingston Register of Nov. 2, 1824. Clinton received the Democratic-Republican nomination for Governor at Utica on Sept. 22. It would have taken a few days for Phelps to absorb the unhappy news and to get his response in print. Possibly it appeared in his penultimate Oct. 7th issue. But by then the "writing was on the wall," and it is likely that whatever political-financial support the Courier had been receiving was scheduled to end with its fourth volume. Phelps was able to turn the ownership and editorship over to the young Dan Smith after that volume's last issue, on Oct. 14th. The following week Smith changed its name to the Cortland Courier. The sickly young editor's proprietorship was short lived and he was forced to sell out to John C. Contine a couple of months prior to his untimely death on Feb. 14, 1827.

On the night of the 29th ult. the store of Mr. W. W. Phelps, in Cortland Village, was burnt, together with its contents. It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary, who plundered the store of a part of its most valuable goods, previous to setting it on fire.

Note: The Boston Independent Chronicle of Oct. 8, 1825 also reported this unfortunate turn of events, and estimated Phelps' uninsured loss at $3,000 -- a considerable sum in the 1820s. This may help explain M. M. Noah's characterizing Phelps being as "accursed of fortune" and needing to "gain reparations for the many evils with which he is afflicted," a few months later.

TO THE PUBLIC.

On the 11th of September, William Morgan, a native of Virginia, who had for about three years past resided in this village, was, under pretext of a justice's warrant, hurried from his home and family and carried to Canandaigua. The same night he was examined on a charge of petit larceny and discharged by the justice. One of the persons who took him away immediately obtained a warrant against him in a civil suit for an alleged debt of two dollars, on which he was committed to the jail of Ontario County. On the night of September 12th he was released by a person pretending to be his friend, but directly in front of the jail, notwithstanding his cries of murder, he was gagged and secured and put into a carriage, and driving all night he was left, as the driver of the carriage says, at Hanford's Landing, about sunrise on the 13th, since which he has not been heard of.

His distressed wife and two infant children are left dependent on charity for their sustenance. The circumstances of the transaction gives rise to the most violent fears that he has been murdered It is, however, hoped by his wife and friends that he may be now kept concealed and imprisoned in Canada. All persons who are willing to serve the cause of humanity, and assist to remove the distressed apprehensions of his unfortunate wife, are earnestly requested to communicate to one of the committee named below, directed to this place, any facts or circumstances which may have come to their knowledge and are calculated to lead to the discovery of his present residence or the particulars of his fate, if he has been murdered.

Batavia, October 4, 1826.

T. F. TALBOT,     JON. LAY,
D E. EVANS,     T. FITCH,
T. CARY,     L. D. PRINDLE,
WM. KEYES,     E. SOUTHWORTH,
WM. DAVIS,     JA'S. P. SMITH.
                          Committee.

N. B. It is hoped that Printers throughout the state, in Canada, and elsewhere will give the above a few insertions, and thus serve the cause of justice and humanity.

Note: The Seneca Farmer was published and distributed in the region of rural New York where William Wines Phelps was living in 1826. If he did not read this particular issue, he certainly soon became aware of the fact that Mr. Morgan's disappearance was causing a major uproar in western New York. Being himself a Master Mason, Phelps would have naturally followed the news of the day that made mention of "the Craft," both pro and con. Also, having only been advanced as far as Masonry's third degree, Phelps was likely curious as to what the "higher degrees" offered by the organization might entail. News of a controversial disclosure of Masonic secrets, coupled with the kidnapping of Morgan, the hostile critic, must have captured the interest of the intelligent and literate W. W. Phelps. At that time he was, evidently, both a failed newspaperman and a failed storekeeper. His hopes of raising a living by writing novels was not working out -- perhaps he sensed potential opportunity in this new turn of events.

The Fate of William Morgan Disclosed. --

The following full and unequivocal statement of the melancholy fate of William Morgan, is made by one of the Editors of the Rochester Telegraph. The names of the persons immediately concerned in the horrid transaction, remain to be revealed:

Capt. Morgan. -- We have for some months abstained from remarking upon this painful subject, waiting the issue of trials that we were well assured must vindicate the material fact which we asserted last January, that WILLIAM MORGAN WAS TAKEN TO FORT NlAGARA, MURDERED AND THROWN INTO THE RIVER! The evidences of this appalling catastrophe are full, convincrng and undeniable. -- We speak advisedly. The trials which were pending at Canandaigua have prevented the disclosure of facts which have been known some time to those who are concerned in the investigation of this most unhappy transaction. So much, however, calculated to increase the impatience of the public has been developed, and so much anxiety is manifested to learn the fate of Morgan, that we are induced to give a brief relation of what passed, from the time of his departure from Canandaigna, until the termination of his life, at Fort Niagara.

Morgan was decoyed, in the manner already related, from the jail, and forcibly put into a carriage, which was driven with all expedition to Hanford's tavern, where a relay of horses was in readiness to receive him. A person was ahead of the carriage, furnishing facilities for passing the captive along to his immediate destination, Fort Niagara. Fresh horses, owned and driven by men who could not have been ignorant of the enterprise, were in readihess at reasonable stages upon the Ridge Road. From Lewiston, he was conveyed to the Fort in the manner related by Corydon Fox, the young man who drove, & upon whose testimony evety reliance may be placed. To render Morgan quiet and passive during this jaunt, he was plied with liquor and laudanum. He was taken to the Fort and lodged in the Magazine, which had been prepared for his reception. In the course of that night he was taken across the river, and remained in charge, by the shore, for an hour and a half or two hours until some gentlemen in Canada were consulted, and then was remanded to Fort Niagara.

On the night of the 14th, a number of gentlemen assembled at the tavern near the Fort to concert some measures for his safe keeping or disposal. One of this number proposed to put him to death, and one or two others concurred, but after along debate, it was overruled. Other, and numerous projects were submitted, discussed and rejected; one of which was that he should he taken over to Canada and set at liberty. The ultimate decision of the council was, that a message should be despatched to Rochester informing the persons who sent him to Niagara, that they must take the responsibility of disposing of him, and advising that he should be set at liberty. Upon the receipt of this message, a person was despatched to Niagara, but we are ignorant of that person's intention or instructions. If pacific, they were overruled by an individual who seems, from the beginning, to have resolved to imbrue his hands in Morgan's blood. At any rate, on the 17th September, the miserable man was murdered and thrown into the river.

Facts and circumstances have been combined, which indicate unerringly, the number and names of those who assisted in perpetrating this deed of darkness. We are not now, however, called upon to disclose either. Time will soon develop all.

Morgan's murder, as we have always believed, was the result of accident rather than design -- or rather, we mean to say, that those who took him from Canandaigua and carried him to the Fort, contemplated nothing beyond his confinement, or perhaps, transportation. The arrangements for hurrying through the country, were briefly made, and few, if any, concerned as agents. knew what was intended. When the Canadians refused to receive him, those who found him thrown back upon their hands, were seriously embarrassed. They could not advance, and dare not recede; and at an evil hour, under the influence of a strong delusion, they were left to shed the blood of a brother. It is some consolation to know that the foul deed was not authorized deliberately, as was at first represented, by 8 or 9 respectable men. The Macbeth of this tragedy had his two assistants only, and they were weak, deluded men. But for the folly and madness of one individual, not a hair of Morgan's head would have been injured.

The first conspiracy to remove Morgan from Batavia, only had for its object, the disgrace which attaches to, a conviction for larceny. -- When acquitted from that charge, knowing that it would not do to let the man return to his purpose, with the ability to excite sympathy, by a tale of wrongs and oppressions, Chesebro got him imprisoned on the civil process, merely to give time to them to mature the conspiracy, which progressed and concluded in the manner we have related.


Note 1: At this late date it is impossible to know how William Wines Phelps reacted, upon hearing that one of the most prominent pro-Masonic newspapers in western New York had tacitly admitted that former Freemason William Morgan had been murdered by prominent members of "the Craft" residing in that part of the country. Being a Master Mason himself, Phelps would have been aware of the often-repeated allegation -- that Masons had kidnapped and murdered Morgan, to stop him from publishing Masonic secrets. Certainly a man of Phelps' intelligence and experiece would realize the contradiction in the Telegraph's assertion: "The first conspiracy to remove Morgan from Batavia, only had for its object, the disgrace which attaches to, a conviction for larceny." Phelps would have understood that Morgan's unique status, (that of being an announced, intended betrayer of Masonic secrets) placed him in a special class of enemies, ranking high above perpetrators of petty larceny.

Note 2: It is tempting for the modern investigator to speculate upon Phelps' probable anquish, at seeing his hometown newspaper prevaricate upon this important news and to fall back upon the Telegraph's disingenuous, pro-Masonic reporting, without adding any commentary. The Cortland Observer was operated by Phelps' former rivals in the county's newspaper business, and that fact may have galled him all the more, because he no longer ocuppied an editor's desk and had no journalistic mouthpiece at his disposal, to answer back. That unhappy situation would soon end, however, and William Wines Phelps would obtain an editorial soapbox via his own Lake Light newspaper.

CORONER'S  REPORT.

A Coroner's inquest was held on the 7th inst. over the body of a man unknown, on the lake shore near the mouth of the Oak Orchard creek, in Carlton, Orleans county. Verdict of the Jury: suffocation by drowning. The body was discovered at the margin of the water, probably thrown on shore by the surf. The body being in so putrid a state it would be difficult to give a very minute description of it; it appeared, however, to be the body of a man about forty-five or fifty years of age; about 5 feet 8 inches in height; hair about the ears considerably gray.

There was apparently an old scar on the forehead over the right eye -- teeth sound excepting two missing on the lower jaw -- a set of what is generally termed double teeth in front. His clothing was frock coat, of black broadcloth of a good quality, pantaloons and vest apparently the same. A white homespun flannel shirt, flag handkerchief around [his] neck, an almost new pair of cow-hide shoes, and coarse socks. No papers were found about him to give any light: all that was found in his pockets was simply four religious tracts printed in London -- a scrap of paper, on which was written September 24th, 1828, Mr. James Websa, and two plugs of tobacco.
R. M. BROWN, Coroner.
Carlton, Oct. 8, 1827.
Note 1: At the time, the body discovered "near the mouth of the Oak Orchard Creek," was generally thought to be that of William Morgan the anti-Masonic martyr. See the pro-Masonic Rochester Daily Advertiser of Oct. 18, 1827.

Note 2: The discovery of a body, purported to be that of William Morgan, the anti-masonic "martyr," was the watershed event that opened a new and plausible way for political adventuring in western New York. It is probably no coincidence that "Messrs. Phelps & Bloomer" (see the Geneva Gazette of Oct. 17th) proposed "publishing an Anti-Masonic paper at Trumansburgh," at this time. Phelps & Bloomer's intended venture, in establishing "Shin Hollow's" first newspaper, may have not originated in the growing William Morgan frenzy, but they took quick advantage of that popular phenomenon to insure themselves of a ready readership for the Lake Light.

...We know not -- and should say, if there is be one solitary being who hates a newspaper, that he ought to be blown to Symmes' pothole in a whirlwind, sucked into the bowels of the earth by the attraction of gravitation, and nibbled to death, piece-meally, by animalculae.

Defeat does not always disgrace the projects of the mean; nor success suceed the plans of the mighty; but where the sun shines, there is always day: Sp, whether we are rewarded with good, or with evil, for our labor, where our paper circulates, there shall be more light.

To accomplish our purposes, and gratify the public's desire, we ask a liberal patronage; and countenanced so far, we hope to have it -- our object is good for public good.

Touching the establishment of a new paper in Tompkins County, we only remark -- The people said, Come! our necessities said, Come! Morgan's spirit said, Come! and here we are.

_____

TO  THE  PUBLIC.

The proprietor of this paper has taken some pains to obtain the services of W. W. Phelps, a gentleman of distinguished talents, as an assistant in managing the concerns of the establishment, which with every attention his own abilities can bestow, he hopes to be able to present the paper to his patrons in a style, and with a portion of talent, that will merit a [liberal] support.

R. M. BLOOMER.            

October 10, 1827.


Note 1: The first extract has the tone and flavor of a W. W. Phelps diatribe: compare its florid hyperbole with the words of Phelps' editorial in his Ontario Phoenix of July 2, 1828: "Every man who says there is beauty, wisdom, worth or religion in masonry -- is a nincompoop, and ought to be nibbled to powder post by grub worms." --- The second item was evidently the handiwork of Mr. Bloomer, who was largely content in turning over responsibility for the composition of Light Light's columns to Phelps.

Note 2: The initial issue of the Light appeared on Wednesday, the tenth of October -- the same day that the Orleans Whig announced news that a body, presumed to be William Morgan's corpse, had just been discovered on the shore of Lake Ontario. Perhaps Phelps and Bloomer felt a need to digest this potentially important development, as it might relate to newspaper publishing. There was no issue of the Light printed on the following Wednesday, and the paper resumed its delivery of the news on Monday, Oct. 22nd, establishing a new schedule adhered to for the remainder of its short life under Phelps' editorship.

New Business. -- ... Report says that Eli Bruce, late sheriff of Niagara, has removed himself -- or, in other words, fled from the country.

Isaac Marsh, of Victor, in this county, has published his withdrawal from the society of Freemasons.

Col. Miller, of Batavia, is about to publish an Anti-Masonic paper at Buffalo; to be called the "Western Advertiser."...

Messrs. Phelps & Bloomer propose publishing an Anti-Masonic paper at Trumansburgh, Tompkins county, to be called the "Lake Light."...

---

A gentleman from the west informs us that the dead body of a man was found on the shore of Lake Ontario, near Oak Orchard Creek, on Friday or Saturday of last week, which was supposed to be that of the unfortunate WILLIAM MORGAN -- It is said that Mrs. Morgan was conveyed to the spot, and from certain marks and appearances has no hesitation in identifying the body. Others were of the same opinion...

CORONER'S  REPORT.

From the Orleans Whig, Oct. 17.

FOR  THE  LAKE  LIGHT.

THE  DEAD.

(Occasioned on viewing the grave of Frank Lyman,
who went to his "Long home," last Fall, aged 6 years.)

It is a solemn grief and pleasure,
    To muse among the slumb'ring dead --
A time of gloomy, holy leisure,
    As o'er silent tombs we tread!

Vain man! - the grave has no distinction --
    In dust, the whole sleep side by side,
With here and there a short inscription --
    "Was born, and liv'd; deceas'd, and died."

O life! to be! to live! -- what is it,
    With all the flames that flesh can find?
A little spirit on a visit,
    That comes and goes like gusts of wind.

There's Franklin's narrow habitationa! --
    Alas, how short the time since he,
By parents' final anticipation,
    Was nurs'd upon his mother's knee!

Why did disease so soon affect him?
    Why none, on earth, that cause explain?
Is there a reason to expect him,
    Alive, in this frail world again?

The spring returns to cheer the lily,
    And deck the flowers on the sod; --
But Franklin comes not -- na; nor will he --
    He lives, in yonder realms, with God.

     Cortland Village, April 5, 1827.   W. W.
Note: This is the first known poem written and published by W. W. Phelps, later the author of lyrics for such well known LDS hymns as "The Spirit of God..." and "Redeemer of Israel."

Proposals for Establishing
IN Canandaigua Ontario county
a new weekly Newspaper entitled the

ONTARIO  PHOENIX,
BY W. W. PHELPS & Co.

The object of starting another paper in Ontario county, when there are already six respectable ones issued weekly, is to give the people more light in masonry. -- Necessarily, then, its principles will be strictly anti-masonic; -- its aim, to expose the evil consequences of secret societies in a free government, and its course independent, -- manly, and free from the cousining of monied aristocracies, or dictation of individuals for personal glory. The time has arrived in the United States for every unshackled citizen to rise in his might and crush an institution, which, in the dark ages, was formed by tyrants for self ends, -- and has been continued through blood and terror for individual or party benefit, till it has become a monstrous machine of evil on the earth -- as contemptible as the oriental Juggernaut. To prove which we shall recur to the fatal tragedy of William Morgan, who, for publishing the secret to the world, was inhumanely kidnapped and murdered by minions of masonic vengeance, -- and is among the noble martyrs of liberty.

Our discussions shall be candid, prudent, decent, and reasonable, without paining individuals, unless guilty. A prostration of masonry is our design: -- not to scatter fire-brands among men, for honesty is every day bringing masons from darkness to light; and from what assurances are given us by our friends, we hope to be able to unravel the hitherto hidden end of Morgan, and explain the whole of the great mystery, that has been dark for ages,

As to politics, in their proper time & season, a mild, steady course will be pursued, and the sovereign will of the people; that patriotic democracy which prospered a Washington in the field; supported a Jefferson in the hall, and has happified a nation for nearly a half a century, shall, while we have "love for country" be cherished in the Phoenix, rather than the kingly doctrine, that "the world was made for Caesar alone;" or an "enlightened few" are a privileged order, and the rest of mankind must serve them, (not probably as slaves) but ascreatures to enrich and ennoble them.

Religion through the merits of a Saviour shall receive our aid.

Intemperance, that odious sin; that canker worm of morality; that fell destroyer of health; that ruiner of domestic felicity, shall be pointed out as it is, a curse to a country.

Finally the Phoenix will be a newspaper of imperial size -- embracing anti-masonry, correct notions of liberty, anti-intemperance, poetry, amusement, the doings of state & national governments, foreign news, passing events, and literary advances, and to support which we ask the patronage of a generous public.

TERMS -- $2.00 to mail and office subscribers, in advance. $2.50 to village subscribers, furnished. Advertisements, the usual price.

Jan. 15, 1828.


Note 1: W. W. Phelps began the anti-Masonic Ontario Phoenix in Canandaigua in April of 1828. He did not disclose who provided his financial backing, but it probably came from anti-Jacksonian professionals in Ontario county who hoped to influence political affairs, in order to gain office or increase their influence in local and national elections.

Note 2: Phelps' brief notice: "Religion through the merits of a Saviour shall receive our aid," merits particular attention. The Ontario Phoenix was not a religious newspaper, but its readership was presumably Christian, for the most part. Thus, his emphasis upon "a Saviour" in this Prospectus would likely have been shrugged off by readers who identified themselves as Jews, Universalists, Freemasons, "infidels," etc. It could be reasonably argued that W. W. Phelps came from a Christian family (his parents were evidently either Presbyterian or Episcopalian) and that he retained some of his ancestors' religious views, even before his own public profession of Mormonism. However, his opponents of those times still found reasons to question and disbelieve the sincerity of his occasional off-handed pious remarks in the Lake Light and the Phoenix. Since neither of those papers published much in the way of overt Christian material, perhaps that fact, in and of itself, betrayed Phelps' general disinterest in the subject.

Morgan  Monument.

It would be no bad calculation, we suppose as Gov. Clinton has recommended in his late message, the idea of raising Monuments to departed Heroes of the Revolution, to petition the Legislature for the purpose of having money appropriated for the noble object of rearing a suitable monument to the memory of Capt. William Morgan. Washington won liberty and Morgan died for it: The former has his fame engraved in the hearts of his countrymen -- and shall the latter remain hid in secret "and not a stone tell where he lies?" No, if the legislature refuses their aid in the premises the people will not; "The young Lion of the West,'' never shun hers in a good cause. -- Brock has his Monument on the Canada side, for his services in the cause of the King and let Morgan have his, on the American side for his martyrdom in the cause of liberty.

From the National Observer.

THE LAKE LIGHT. -- This is the title of a paper, published at Trumansburgh, Tompkins county, by Messrs. Phelps and Bloomer. In his last number, Mr. Phelps comes out in honourable and manly style, as follows: --

RENUNCIATION.

Considering secret societies incompatible with the principles and derogatory to the constitution of a free government; living in a land of liberty; -- being engaged in conducting a paper devoted to "equality to all," -- and having been regularly initiated, passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason, I hereby withdraw myself from any connexion with masonic lodges, and renounce the self-organized institution of free masonry. -- I shall hereafter consider myself at liberty to answer any question relative to the secret, that I may be acquainted with -- for in the language of the learned Doctor Paley "an obligation from which a man can discharge himself by his own act, is no obligation at all." "The guilt therefore," if any there be in denouncing the system of speculative free masonry "lies in making, not in breaking" the masonic oaths.

W. W. PHELPS.          

January 14, 1828.

Note: William W. Phelps renunciation of Masonry evidently first appeared in his Lake Light of Jan. 14, 1828, the 14th number of the first volume of that paper. The communication came several weeks after Phelps began publishing articles critical of Masonry in the Lake Light. A week or two later, the "Renunciation" was noticed by Anti-Masonic editor Solomon Southwick and reproduced by him in his Albany National Observer.

From the Cazenova Monitor.

The progress of light. -- A new anti-masonick paper is shortly to be established at Palmyra, Wayne co. under the title of the "Palmyra Freeman," by D. D. Stevenson, late editor of the Rochester Balance. The latter paper has been transferred to Mr. Samuel Heron, by whom it has been enlarged to an imperial size, and otherwise improved in appearance. It is, as it always has been, a valuable journal. We wish its late editor success in his new undertaking.

W. W. Phelps & Co. are about to establish at Canandaigua, an anti-masonick paper to be called the "Ontario Phoenix," -- Mr. Phelps is one of the editors of the "Lake Light," at Trumansburgh. He has severed the cord, or "cable-tow," that bound him to a corrupt institution, and is determined to bear testimony against it. In his prospectus, he says -- "The time has arrived in the U. States, for every unshckled citizen to rise in his might and crush an institution, which, in the dark ages, was formed by tyrants for selfish ends, and has been continued through blood and terrour, for individual or party benefit, till it has become a monstrous machine of evil on the earth -- as contemptible as the Oriental Juggernaut..."

From the Lake Light.

MORGAN  MONUMENT.

It would be no bad calculation, we suppose as Gov. Clinton has recommended in his late message, the idea of raising Monuments to departed Heroes of the Revolution, to petition the Legislature for the purpose of having money appropriated for the noble object of rearing a suitable monument to the memory of Capt. William Morgan. Washington won liberty and Morgan died for it: The former has his fame engraved in the hearts of his countrymen -- and shall the latter remain hid in secret "and not a stone tell where he lies?" No, if the legislature refuses their aid in the premises the people will not; "The young Lion of the West," never slumbers in a good cause. Brock has his Monument on the Canada side, for his services in the cause of the King, and let Morgan have his, on the American side for his martyrdom in the cause of liberty.

To which the Geneva Gazette adds the following.

The "Lake Light" proposes that a fund be raised to erect a minument to the memory of Captain William Morgan, on the American side of the Niagara. Better first provide for the support and education of his bereaved widow and tender orphans."

---

DIED. -- On the twelfth of this month, Margaret, wife of George W. Harris, of this village, in the forty first year of her life. For four years, she pined under a slow and lingering sickness; and in all her troubles, bowed before the Almighty, with the weakness and resignation of achristian. A fond husband, with all his wearied attention, could not alleviate her pain, or parry the darts of death. -- Lapped in the dreamless sleep, the untenanted spirit, raised where happy spirits dwell, and receives those joys which are the rewards of virtue....

---

PROPOSALS for establishing in Canandaigua Ontario county a new weekly newspaper, entitled the ONTARIO PHOENIX, by W. W. PHELPS & Co.

The object of starting another paper in Ontario county, when there are already six respectable ones issued weekly, is to give the people more light in masonry. -- Necessarily then, its principles will be strictly anti-masonic; its aim, to expose the evil consequences of secret societies in a free government, and its course independent manly and free from the cousining of monied aristocracies, or dictation of individuals for personal glory. The time has arrived in the United States for every unshackled citizen to rise in his might and crush an institution, which, in the dark ages, was formed by tyrants for self ends, -- and has been continued through blood and terror, for individual or party benefit, till it has become a monstrous machine of evil on the earth as contemptible as the oriental Juggernaut. To prove which we shall recur to the fatal tragedy of William Morgan, who, for publishing the secret to the world, was inhumanely kidnapped and murdered by minions of masonic vengeance, -- and is among the noble martyrs of liberty.

Our discussions shall be candid, prudent, decent, and reasonable, without paining individuals, unless guilty. A prostration of masonry is our design: not to scatter fire-brands among men, for honesty is every day bringing masons from darkness to light; and from what assurances are given us by our friends, we hope to be able to unravel the hitherto hidden end of Morgan, and explain the whole of the great mystery, that has been dark for ages.

Intemperance, that odious sin; that canker worm of morality; that fell destroyer of health; that ruiner of domestic felicity, shall be pointed out as it is, a curse to a country.

The Phoenix will be a newspaper of imperial size -- embracing anti-masonry, correct notions of liberty, anti-intemperance, &c. at $2.00 per year for mail subscribers.
          Jan. 15, 1828.

---

PROSPECTUS of a weekly newspaper, to be published in the village of Palmyra, Wayne co. N. Y. under the title of the PALMYRA FREEMAN. The subscriber proposes to establish a paper under the above title, in the village of Palmyra, in the county of Wayne. Before the public are willing to bestow their patronage upon a new paper, they generally require to be informed as to the principles upon which it is to be conducted, in order to knew whether it shall deserve such patronage. With this reasonable requisition it is my purpose freely to comply

It is now more than one year since an outrage was committed upon the liberty & life of Capt. William Morgan, for revealing the secrets of Free Masonry, by persons connected with that institution. The Press, at that time and afterwards, was so over-awed by the influence of the Masonic Society, that so far from this outrage being visited with that merited reprehension from the press, which its aggravated nature demanded, scarce was any other notice taken of it by the press, than to throw doubts upon the truth of facts clearIy established, ridicule upon those honestly investigating the dark mystery, and approbrium upon the hapless victim of masonic vengeance. It is true that the progress of the investigation has been such, that the people are in a great degree awakened to the alarming nature of the outrage, and to the dangerous tendency of that society in whose bosom it originated. Editors of public papers have in some instances found that the community would sustain them, even though they lost Masonic patronage, and have ventured to express their sentiments with more freedom. It was, however, when the press was the most thoroughly shackled, that the subscriber, without means, without patronage, and without any influential friends, established the Balance in the Village of Rochester. He determined to appeal directly to the virtue and good sense of the people. -- He did so, and was not disappointed. The efforts made by the subscriber thus to assist in developing the circumstances of that shocking tragedy, to aid in extending information in relation to the dangers of the institution by whose members it was transacted, and to warn community of the little safety there was to the liberty of the citizen, under the influence of such an institution, were not without their effect. The circulation of the Balance extended beyond the most sanguine hopes of the publisher; the community were awakened, and at the election, executed in a triumphant manner, the only justice in their power. The subscriber has since disposed of his interest in that paper, and now proposes to establish another in the village of Palmyra. It is almost needless to say, that the principles advocated by the subscriber, while proprietor of the Balance, will be the leading principles of the freeman. Believing, as he does, that the institution of Masonry is dangerous in a free government; that all secret self created societies may be made the [engine] of much mischief, he would be wanting to himself and his patrons if he would not attempt to expose such dangers, and warn the people against secret self-created societies. This will be the leading principle. The Freeman will be anti-masonic in its character, as Iong as it is controlled by the subscriber. This however will not be so engrossing as to exclude other topics of general interest.

==> The Freeman will be published on a super-royal sheet, at $2.00 per annum.
                      D. D STEPHENSON.
Palmyra, Jan. 8, 1828.

Note 1: The Ontario Phoenix and the Palmyra Freeman were born almost simultaneously. The editor of the former would go on to become a prominent Latter Day Saint, while the editor of the latter (Jonathan A. Hadley) would publish the very first news report on Joseph Smith and his golden bible.

Note 2: Thurlow Weed's Rochester Anti-Masonic Enquirer of March 4, 1828 published a slightly lengthier version of the Freeman Prospectus, which included the additional pledge: "The subscriber intends that the columns of the Freeman shall contain such information, such miscelany, such news, and such variety as is usually found in other journals, and will strive as much as possible to furnish something for the various different tastes, hoping that he may please, and meet with the patronage of all." A year later the Freeman moved from Palmyra to neighboring Lyons, and continued publication under the title of "The Countryman." The latter paper occasionally reprinted material from W. W. Phelps' Canandaigua Ontario Phoenix but it appears that when Hadly was editing the Palmyra Freeman he was more inclined to copy material from Rochester and Batavia's anti-Masonic papers.

MASONIC  ANTI-MASONICK  MEETING.

At a convention of Freemasons, opposed to secret societies, held at Le Roy, in the county of Genesee, N. Y. on Tuesday, February 19th, 1828; The convention organized at 1 o'clock P. M. and Elder David Bernard, of Warsaw addressed the Throne of Grace. Leonard B. Rose, Esq. of Castile, was called to the Chair; and Elder David Bernard appointed Secretary. Voted that the Rev. James Cochrane, of Batavia, be requested to deliver an address to the convention upon the subject of its present meeting.

The objects of the meeting having been stated it was agreed that the principles and obligations of Freemasonry be freely discussed: --
Therefore

Voted, that the first obligation in masonry be read, Mr. H. A. Read read the obligation of an "Entered Apprentice," as published by Capt. William Morgan. The chairman addressed the meeting on the binding nature of masonick obligations. Mr. S. D. Green of Batavia followed him on the same subject. --

Mr. H. A. Read of Le Roy, spoke largely on the principles and obligations of the order; he was followed by J. Hascall, Esq. on the same subject. The Secretary then addressed the convention on the antiquity of the Institution, showing that it was not ancient; on the morality of the institution, showing that it did not promote morality; on the benevolence of the institution, showing that it was not benevolent; on the ceremonies of the institution, as far as the Royal Arch degree, showing that they were not only degrading to human nature, but blasphemous; on the principles of the institution as a system of Religion, showing that they were opposed to Christianity and gave his reasons for believing it the duty of honest masons to expose its secrets and obligations to the world.

Voted, that the second and third obligations in masonry be read. They were accordingly read as published by Morgan.

Voted, that the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th obligations be read, as submitted to the convention, in manuscript. They were accordingly read by Mr. Read.

Mr. Read then spoke very extensively upon the obligations of masonry; showing that they were diametrically opposed to good government and subversive of the principles of justice and good order.

The convention then adjourned until 7 o'clock P. M.

During the adjournment Solomon Southwick Esq. of Albany, who had been invited to attend the convention arrived, to take his seat as a member. A large and respectable concourse of citizens having convened, and being anxious to see the man, whom they considered the champion of their liberties, were admitted into the convention chamber, when Mr. Southwick was introduced by Elder Bernard. He briefly addressed them upon the effects of secret self-created societies in any government; particularly a republican government: reminded them with what jealousy the people of these U. S. had watched the introduction of societies and combinations, anti-republican in their tendencies, and instanced the decline of the Cincinnati society, composed of many of the veterans of the Revolution, and the opposition to that article of our federal constitution which authorizes secret sessions of congress, although they had not until lately become suspicious that the masonick institution had been all this while growing up amongst them, with their indulgence, to subvert their liberties. -- He remarked that he had not the least anticipation of being called upon to address his fellow citizens, that he was wholly unprepared and completely exhausted with his journey.

The citizens then departed and the convention re-organized. The following resolution was passed unanimously:

Resolved, That the book written by Capt. William Morgan and published by Col. David C. Miller, entitled "Illustrations of Masonry," is a fair and full exhibition of the three first degrees of speculative freemasonry; that we solemnly and unequivocally testify to the above, we cheerfully subscribe our names thereto. We certify according to the degrees we have taken:

Entered Apprentices -- Piatt S. Beech, Henry Peck, David C. Miller.

Fellow Craft -- George W. Blodget.

Master Masons -- Leonard B. Rose, George W. Harris, James Cochrane, Jonathan Foster, Edmund Badger, Orsamus Bowers, Jason Gratton, James Gray, Benjamin Codley, Enos Bachelder, A. E. Hutchins, John Tomlinson, Samuel D. Green, Pelatiah Dewy, Adam Richmond, David Snow, Seth M. Gates, Elijay Gray, Pascal D. Webb, John Anmock, James Taylor, William W. Phelps, B. Bliss.

Mark Master -- Solomon Southwick.

Royal Arch Masons -- Miles P. Lampson, David Bernard.

Knight of the Red Cross -- Richard Hollister.

Knights Templars and Illustrious Knights the Cross -- Anthony Cooley, Cephas A.Smith, Augustus P. Hascall, Hollis Pratt, Herbert A. Read, James Ballard, John Hascall.

The obligations of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch Degrees were again read as follows: --

... [lengthy excerpts from Morgan's book, not transcribed]

After another short discussion, the Knights present then unanimously

Resolved, That the foregoing obligations are substantially correct; and by this convention, unanimously, that they are neither legally, morally or religiously binding, and that they be published to the world.

The convention then adjourned to 9 o'clock of the next day.
                  LEONARD B. ROSE, Ch'n.
DAVID BERNARD, Sec'y.

---

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1828.              

The convention met, putsuant to adjournment.

In the absence of Messrs. Rose and Bernard, Solomon Southwick, Esq. of Albany, was unanimously chosen Chairman, and Richard Hollister, Secretary.

The Chairman addressed the meeting briefly to the following effect:

Gentlemen -- I have a proposition to make, which is demanded by what we owe to the character of our country, and the cause in which we are engaged. If it be true, as has been stated, that William Morgan was incarcerated in the magazine of the fortress of Niagara, it was a prostitution of that bulwark of our freedom and independence, unparalleled in the history of our country, or in that of any other country pretending to the possession of civil liberty. If done, it must have been done by or through the tacit permission or direct agency of the person or persons having charge of that fortress as servants of the people of these United States; and hence both the government and the people owe it to their own dignity of character and the cause of civil liberty, to discharge the guilty from their service, if true; or to wipe off, both from the accused and themselves, the foul stain, if the report be false. For myself, I know nothing of the facts; but I have seen them stated under sanction of such names as command my full confidence. I allude, gentlemen, to what is called the Lewiston Convention; the authors of which, though greatly abused, I believe to have been actuated by the purest of motives, and to deserve the gratitude of their country. They have made the Report on testimony satisfactory to themselves; and it is now due to the character of our country and its government that the charge be investigated by those whose particular, if not exclusive province it is in the first place.

The chairman then moved the following resolution which was unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draft a memorial to Congress, on the subject of the prostitution of the Fortress of Niagara, to the incarceration of William Morgan, a free citizen of the U. States, by persons calling themselves Free Masons, and without any legal authority for such violence and coercion.

Resolved, That Solomon Southwick, James Ballard, John Hascall, Herbert A. Read, Anthony Cooley, W. W. Phelps, and Edward Badger, compose the said committee; and that they sign the memorial in behalf of this convention.

On motion,
Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be appointed to prepare the degrees of Free Masonry above that of Master, for publication; and that Elder David Bernard, Elder John G. Stearns, Solomon Southwick, Rev. Reuben Sanborn, David C. Miller, John Hascall, Herbert A. Read, Richard Hollister, Samuel D. Green, Oliver Forward, Edward Giddins, Judge Hinman, (of Pike, Allegany county,) William Terry, and W. W. Phelps, of the state of New-York, and Martin Flint, of the State of Vermont, compose the said committee.

On motion,
Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to draft a circular invitation to all Free Masons, who are opposed to the institution of Masonry, and to secret associations in general, in the United States, to meet at this place on the 4th of July next; that they prepare an address to be delivered on the occasion; and that Solomon Southwick, John Hascall, J. Tomlinson, Herbert A. Read, David C. Miller, W. W. Phelps, and A. P. Hascall, compose the said committee.

The convention then adjourned, to meet again at Le Roy on the 4th of July next.
                S. SOUTHWICK, Ch'n.
RICHARD HOLLISTER, Sec'y.


Note 1: The Le Roy Gazette version of this report added the following paragraph at its end: "Resolves, That the editors of the following papers, be and they are hereby requested to publish the proceedings of this convention, to wit: -- Republican Advocate, Western Advertiser, Buffalo Patriot, Jamestown Journal, Western Star, Le Roy Gazette, Livingston Register, Anti-Masonic Enquirer, Seneca Farmer, Lake Light, Cazenovia Monitor, National Observer, Sandy Hill Sun, Palladium of Liberty, N. J. Union Telegraph, Indiana and Jefferson Whig, National Intelligencer and Georgetown Columbian. And all others who are willing to give the public information upon this subject."

Note 2: W. W. Phelps probably participated in earlier, local anti-masonic meetings, but his attendance at the Le Roy Convention of Feb. 19-20, 1828 marked an important advancement, both in his state-wide responsibilities and in his growing reputation as one of the rising leaders in the New York anti-Masonic movement. He became a member of the committee assigned with the task of promoting the the follow-up Le Roy convention of July 4, 1828, and thus became immediately involved in anti-Masonic affairs at the state level. These were events that eventually led to the establishment of the anti-Masonic party of New York.

From the Lake Light.

MORGAN  MONUMENT.  

It would be no bad calculation, we suppose as Gov. Clinton has recommended in his late message, the idea of raising Monuments to departed Heroes of the Revolution, to petition the Legislature for the purpose of having money appropriated for the noble object of rearing a suitable monument to the memory of Capt. William Morgan. Washington won liberty and Morgan died for it: The former has his fame engraved in the hearts of his countrymen -- and shall the latter remain hid in secret "and not a stone tell where he lies?" No, if the legislature refuses their aid in the premises the people will not; "The young Lion of the West," never slumbers in a good cause. -- Brock has his Monument on the Canada side, for his services in the cause of the King and let Morgan have his, on the American side for his martyrdom in the cause of liberty.

Until further discoveries are made relative to the location of Morgan's remains, it would be about as difficult to fix upon the proper site for his monument, as it was to determine the paddy's birth-place who was "born all along the sea-shore!"


Note 1: The first paragraph above was written by W. W. Phelps; the remainder is a comment from the Album editor. The Ontario Phoenix of Sept. 14, 1831 published a drawing of what appears to be a proposed design for a William Morgan Monument; however, it was not accompanied by any explanatory text.

Note 2: The Geneva Gazette of Feb. 6, 1828 printed a similar response: "The 'Lake Light' proposes that a fund be raised to erect a monument to the memory of Captain William Morgan, on the American side of the Niagara. Better first provide for the support and education of his bereaved widow and tender orphans."

At a public meeting held at the house of Samuel D. Green, in the village of Batavia, on the 26th day of February 1828,to take into consideration the propriety of nominating a suitable person to fill the executivechair of this state, at the next election, John Hascall in the chair, and O. Williams secretary -- after a short discussion on the subject Solomon Southwick, Esq. of Albany, was named as such candidate, whereupon it was unanimously, with the exception of one dissenting voice.

Resolved That reposing full and entire confidence in his ability, integrity and patriotic devotion, we present to our fellow citizens SOLOMON SOUTHWICK as a candidate in whom is combined all the pre-requisites necessary in a chief magistrate, and that we will support him as Governor of this state at the ensuing election.

Resolved, That David C Miller, Geo. W. Harris, and James Cochran, Sen. be a committee to wait on Mr. Southwick and make known to him the sentiments of this meeting.

The committee having performed the duty assigned them; Mr. Southwick repaired to Capt. Greene's and addressed the assembly as follows: --

GENTLEMEN,
            Believing that the spontaneous expression of the people's will, is the only correct expression of it; that it is always perverted when produced by secret intrigue and selfish combination; And knowing, as I do, that the flattering compliment you have been pleased to pay to my humble talents and services, flows from the unbiased and independent exercise of your elective franchise, as well as the ardent love of liberty which animates your hearts -- I shall not refuse, however I may hesitate, to accept the proffer of your suffrages for the office, to which your generous partiality would elevate me.

It is true, gentlemen, that I am not a man of fortune; and it may be thought by some that this is an obstacle in the way of your wishes; but I will frankly say on this point, that I consider a republican government one of business, and not of show -- of economy and not of waste -- of industry, and not of idleness -- of labour for the public good and not of elegant ease for private gratification -- and therefore, this considerrtion is of no weight in the present case.

A sense of duty to myself, gentlemen, as well as to the cause in which we are mutually engaged, demands of me to state explicity, and truly, that I have not sought this honour; although it is already asserted by our enemies that I came here to intrigue for a nomination. The fact is, that I received repeated and earnest invitatious by letters from our friends at Le Roy, to attend the Convention there; and although I did not conceive that my presence could be necessary; yet, considering, the goodness of our cause, their request seemed to me so much like the voice of the saints of old, crying, "come over to Macedonia and help us;" that I could not consistently refuse. At Le Roy the proposition was spontaneously made to me to become a candidate, to which on reflection, I consented. I was afterwards invited to come here; and here the proposition has been reiterated, and you all, Gentlemen, know the result. So far, therefore, I can say with sincerity, that it has progressed upon the principle of popularity which follows, and not that which is sought after.

I shall barely add, gentlemen, that should Divine Providence incline the hearts of a majority of our fellow citizens, to approve of the nomination you have spontaneously made; I shall, with a firm reliance on the same all-wise Power, proceed to a faithful and impartial, if not fortunate discharge of my official duties.

Accept, gentlemen the sincere expression my lasting gratitude and respect.

On motion, the thanks of this meeting were unanimously presented to Mr. Southwick as the intelligent, manly, patriotic and ardent champion of the People's rights through a long life of usefulness and especially for his bold and virtuous stand in repelling masonic outrages and exposing masonic errors.

Resolved, That the following persons, together with the Chairman and Secretary be a committee of Correspondence to carry into effect the above nomination.

Elnathan Scranton, Jarius Cruttenden, Luther A. Baker, Samuel Moss, Sol. Kingsley, H. B. Sprout, Reuben Benham, Harvey Putnam, Lyman Dayton, Seth Melvin, Elisha Smith, Levi Hibbard, David H. Baily, Adolphus Gardner, William P. Crosby, F. C. Farnham, Charles Wilder, Wm. Chase, E. E. Bartlett, Luther Smith, Artemus Shelden, Tho's. Wilder, Chester Townsend, Alfred Shipherd, Amos Tyrrel, Arunah Samens, Cyrel Pierce, Obadiah Jenks, Libbeus Fish, A. Vancleve, James Cochran, Sen., Wm. Platt, Wm. J . Wood, Sam'l D. Greene, Geo. W. Harris, Wm. Fursman, Horace Gibbs, Wm. Dickinson, Chauncey Kirkham, Jonathan Foster, C. L. Swart, R. P. Betts, Aaron Gary, Arthemus Johnson, Burnham Gilbert, D. C. Miller, Joseph Aplin, Cha's. Woodworm, E. D. Davis, Wm. B. Garfield, Philip Garfield, Jehoida Paige, Charles Williams, Th. Williams, Henry Peck, Francis Faxton, Edward Dickson, James B. Lay, John Davids, Martin Montgomery.

Resolved that the chairman and secretary be authorised to call a county meeting at such time and place as they may deem, proper to promote the foregoing nomination, and that these proceedings be published.   JOHN HASCALL, Ch'n.
       OSWALD WILLIAMS, Sec'y.


Note 1: W. W. Phelps, who promoted the selection of Southwick as an anti-Masonic candidate in the 1828 election for New York Governor, is strangely absent from this "committee of Correspondence." Phelps apparently rushed back to Trumansburg, in order to report on the Le Roy developments and to begin his move from that place to Canandaigua. For further comments on the Southwick nomination, see notes attached to the Geneva Palladium of Mar. 19, 1828.

Note 2: Solomon Southwick attended the anti-Masonic 'convention" in Le Roy on Feb. 19-20 and evidently tarried in the area in order to do some work involving his committee asignment. Thus it was that the man could so quickly respond to the nomination coming out of nearby Batavia.

Some of the citizens of Batavia, the theatre of masonic violence and outrage, whose feelings have become highly and justly excited, have been surprised into a step, which, a moment's reflection will satisfy, them, was ill-judged and premature.

Mr. SOUTHWICK, the fearless champion of civil libarty, while at Batavia, received a public dinner, to which, when the generous feelings of the citizens bordered on enthusiasm, was added a nomination for Governor. This hasty proceeding, if persisted in, would be productive of great mischief. We have other objects in view, and higher duties to perform. The men who have the sacred cause of conscience and liberty at heart, will not seek their own aggrandizement from the conflict.

We have known Mr. Southwick long and intimately, and on proper occasions have indicated both our regard for his interests and our zeal for his prosperity. We are familiar with his strong virtues, his glaring faults, and his manifold misfortunes, and can therefore account for the infatuation that has beguiled him into a scheme, which, if not promptly overruled by the good sense of the community, would ruin him, and depress and embarrass a cause which is uniting the best exertions of patriotism and Christianity. The deep and general sentiment of hostility towards Free Masonry cannot and may not be diverted from its legitimate purpose. It contemplates neither the elevation or oppression of individuals. Its single aim (and that aim will not be misdirected,) is to benefit the "country, the whole country, and nothing but the country.''


Note: See also Thurlow Weed's remarks in the Enquirer of Sept. 23, 1828.

'Masonic - Anti-Masonic.' -- A meeting of masons, who have withdrawn from connexion with the institution, was held at Le Roy, Genesee county, on the 19th and 20th of Feb. last. The first day, Leonard B. Rose was chairman, and Elder David Bernard, secretary. The individuals composing the meeting, 39 in number, certified to the correctness of Morgan's book. Obligations of the upper degrees, to the Templars, read, certified to, and ordered to be published.

On the 2d day, Solomon Southwick acted as chairman, and Richard Hollister as sectetary. -- A committee, consisting of Messrs, Southwick, Ballard, J. Hascatt, Read, Cooley, Phelps and Badger was appointed to draft a memorial to Congress on the subject of the confinement of Morgan in Fort Niagara. A committee of 15 was appointed 'to prepare the degrees of Freemasonry, above that of Master, for publication.' This committee consists of Elder David Bernard, Elder J. G. Stearns, Solomon Southwick, Rev. Reuben Sanborn, David C. Miller, John Hascall, Herbert A. Read, Richard Hollister, Sam'l. D. Green, Oliver Forward, Edward Giddins, Judge Hinman, (of Pike, Allegany county,) William Terry and W. W. Phelps, of the state of New-York, and Martin Flint, of the state of Vermont.

The convention adjourned to meet again on the 4th of July next: and all Masons who are opposed to the institution and to secret societies, invited to attend. -- Ith. Chron.


Note: This was the first of three important gatherings of anti-Masons at Le Roy, held during the first half of 1828. Their respective dates were (1) Feb. 19-20, (2) Mar. 6, and (3) July 4-5. -- A related meeting was held in Batavia on Feb. 26th. W. W. Phelps took over the press and office of the old Ontario Freeman in Canandaigua, shortly after that paper suspended operations (after publishing its final issue on March 11th). Phelps evidently printed a pilot issue of his new Ontario Phoenix on March 18th, but the paper did not begin regular publication until April 30th. Thus it was that the news coming out of the first two anti-Masonic meetings in Le Roy was already "stale" by the time Phelps had his Canandiagua operation up and running. Some initial reporting from W. W. appeared in the final issues of the the Lake Light, that were under his editorship, but the Phoenix finally brought its readers up to date on these Genesee County developments on July, 9, 1828.

Le Roy Convention. -- We learn from a gentleman who attended the Anti-Masonic Convention held last week at Le Roy, that 77 delegates met and presented their credentials, twelve counties being represented. The meeting was organized at 11 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, by appointing Gen. William Wadsworth, president, and Dr. Matthew Brown, jun. and Robert Fleming, Esq. secretaries; and after being incessantly engaged in their labors, that and the following day, adjourned on the evening of the latter, sine die. The prominent objects acted upon, were the adoption of an address to the people of the state, detailing the outrages committed upon William Morgan and David C. Miller, and shewing the dangerous tendency of Free Masonry, to the institutions and liberties of our country; the adoption of a memorial to Congress, in regard to the incarceration of William Morgan in Fort Niagara, while that fortress was under the charge of an officer in the service of the United States; the adoption of a memorial to the legislature of this state for prohibiting [---- ----- ------ ------] of the sense of the convention, in relation to the principles and institution of Free Masonry, and the recommending a state convention at Utica on the first Monday of August next, in order to take the most effectual measures to destroy masonic influence, and banish the institution from our state and country.

We shall probably receive the proceedings of the convention in time for insertion next week.

Note: Although the news had yet to spread far from its origin in western New York, one of "the most effectual measures to destroy masonic influence," coming out of the February meetings in Le Roy was the surprise nomination of Albany's Solomon Southwick, as a candidate in the upcoming Governor's race in that state (see the Republican Advocate of Feb. 29, 1828). The idea of scheduling an anti-Masonic "a state convention at Utica," was obviously one intended to draw political support away from New York's National Republicans (fellow anti-Jacksonians who were also planning to gather together in that place).

Governor. -- Mr. Weed, editor of the "Anti-Masonic Enquirer," published at Rochester, has demurred to the nomination of Solomon Southwick, for Governor. This has exicted some surprise. But it will be understood, when it is known, that an extensive combination has been entered into between certain individuals, to use the Morgan excitement for securing the election of Albert H. Tracy, as Governor of this state, and aiding the General Government. Mr. Weed went to Washington during the past winter, for the purpose of procuring the aid and co-operation of the General Government....

Note 1: Thurlow Weed's failure to fully support the political ambitions of Solomon Southwick (editor of the Albany National Observer,) and Francis Granger, served to drive a wedge between himself and W. W. Phelps (who zealously promoted both of these doomed candidates). A. P. Bentley, in his 1874 History of the Abduction of William Morgan, and the Anti-Masonic Excitement, offered this summary: "The excited state of the public mind was now seized upon by certain ambitious and unscrupulous politicians to organize a political party whereby they hoped to ride into power. Through the seceders' convention, at Leroy, and the Anti-masonic committee, as organized at Lewiston, the germ of a powerful political party was formed. Thurlow Weed, then editor of a small newspaper, at Rochester, changed its name to the "Anti-Masonic Inquirer," and became a most prominent and active leader. The great talents and energy of Weed as a journalist and political leader, soon brought the organization into complete working order. He was assisted by many of the most effective and talented men of Western New York, among whom were Wm. H. Seward, Francis Granger, John C. Spencer, Myron Holley, Frederick Whittlesey, Robert S. Rose, Solomon Southwick, Albert H. Tracy, and others.... Where the established newspapers would not support the Anti-masonic party, nor denounce all secret societies, as inimical to free government, new presses were set up and every county in the central and western part of the State had its organ red-hot for the strife. For instance, in Canandaigua there were two old established newspapers -- the "Repository" and "Messenger" -- the former "National Republican" in politics, and supporting John Quincy Adams for re-election to the Presidency -- the latter "Democratic," and supporting Gen. Jackson. Neither of these papers would espouse the cause of antimasonry, and the anties in Ontario county were without an organ. But it was not long before a new press and type were procured and a genuine Anti-masonic paper started by one W. W. Phelps, assisted by Francis Granger and Stephen Bates. Phelps called his paper the "Phoenix," and it was conducted with all the bitterness of his nature. It would astonish some readers of the present day to read the blasphemous editorials that he put forth. He continued the publication of the paper until political Anti-masonry began to wane in 1830, when he joined Joe Smith and his Mormon band, went to Jackson county. Mo., where he commenced a Mormon publication, and died a raving maniac. As in Ontario, so it was in other counties, and the party had more organs in the State of New York than any other party ever had before. Among the most influential and leading ones of these organs were Thurlow Weed's "Anti-Masonic Enquirer" and Solomon Southwick's "National Observer," at Albany. The others were mostly subordinate to and mere echoes of these master journalists.... These worthies -- Weed and Southwick -- like loving brothers continued giving tone to the Anti-masonic press and shapng all the policy of the party, until Weed removed to Albany in 1830 and took charge of the Journal, when he and Southwick soon quarrelled, and Weed drove his former coadjutor from the tripod."

Note 2: Thurlow Weed provided these thoughts in his 1884 Life of Thurlow Weed: "[Many delegates at the 1828 Utica National Republican Convention] were warmly in favor of Smith Thompson, a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, of conceded ability and irreproachable character..... An Anti-Masonic paper at Canandaigua, edited by W. W. Phelps (who subsequently became a Mormon, and is now, I understand, one of Brigham Young's elders), denounced that nomination, and came out with a call for an Anti-Masonic State convention. The Anti-Masonic paper at Le Roy responded warmly... An Anti-Masonic State convention was immediately called, which met at Utica, and nominated Francis Granger of Ontario, for governor, and John Crary, of Washington County, for lieutenant-governor."

==>We copy the following remarks from the Ontario Chronicle, published by Mr. F. Cowdery, formerly of this village.

If masonry had been belied, and the character of the institution traduced, by those of its protestors who betrayed its secrets at Le Roy, six or eight weeks since, have not the fraternity had sufficient time to satisfy the public mind on the subject? Yes; the public mind is satisfied, that the disclosure is undeniable in truth and that honest men, as well as some not quite honest, have been led, blindfolded and haltered, to the higher and more wicked abominations of this earthly pandemonium, to become "kings," "scribes" and "priests" to his "royal arch highness," who once, showing to the Saviour the kingdoms of the world, said, "all these I give you to fall down and worship me."

We were "blinded," and, some eight or nine years since prevailed upon to "pay money for that which profited not." In "search of more light," we were raised to the third degree -- no more. The Le Roy disclosures have given "more light," not only, but have "opened our eyes," therefore, be it known to the world that we now declare total absolution, from this time for ever, from the institution of free masonry; assuring all persons, at the same time, that we know not of an individual mason, against whom we harbor the least degree of enmity or ill will.

Our paper henceforth, so far as we may engage in the subject at all, will be pledged to the cause of anti-masonry; under the self-approving confidence, that the best interests, nay, the freedom of our country required it, have come to this conclusion.

MASONIC  ANTI-MASONICK  CIRCULAR.

Addressed, in behalf of the Masonic Anti-Masonic Convention, held at Le Roy, Feb. 26, 1828, -- To the honest and disinterested Free Masons of the United States, who are willing to renounce their masonic ties and obligations, and to aid in putting down the Institution, as hostile to morality, religion, and liberty.

Brethren and Fellow Citizen!

The undersigned committee of the Le Roy Convention of Free Masons, of Feb. 19th, 1828, beg leave to address you, in behalf of said Convention, on a question of the utmost importance to the true peace, liberty and welfare of our common country. We claim a candid and impartial hearing; and feel confident, that with the most enlightened, honest, and independent of our brethren, we shall not be disappointed in obtaining it.

It it true we appear before you in the character and garb of reformers; and although as such, we are aware that we shall have to encounter the sneers of selfish and conceited brethren of the mystic tie, and the jealousy of political demagogues, as well as the honest prejudices of many good-natured and unsuspecting, but misguided men, who have embraced Free Masonry, and are weak enough to think it an object worthy of their serious attention, yet neither these considerations nor any other, shall deter us from performing the task we have undertaken, of addressing you on the present occasion, as a duty we owe, not only to the Convention from whom we derive our authority, but to our consciences, our country, and our God.

Most of you, brethren, must long since have learned -- not from the public journals, we admit -- for these, with but a few honorable exceptions, have been employed to conceal the truth -- but from other sources of which you are well aware -- that in September, 1826, our legitimate masonic brother, Capt WILLIAM MORGAN was forcibly seized, under color of legal process, which proved to be surreptitious, by a number of our brethren, at the village of Batavia, in county of Genesee; and contrary to the laws of God and our country, taken by violence from one place to another, until he reached Fort Niagara, in the magazine of which he was unlawfully imprisoned for several days and finally put to death, by the same persons or others acting in c oncert, and connected with them, who first seized him at Batavia.

You must, likewise have learned through the same medium, (we mean, to speak in plain English the Royal Arch Chapters, and other masonic Lodges,) that Col. DAVID C. MILLER, editor of the newspaper, entitled The Republican Advocate, of Batavia was unlawfully seized by the same persons -- at least in part -- who seized and carried off Capt. Morgan; and that had it not been for the timely interference of a spirited band of the friends of law and liberty, in Batavia, and the adjacent country he would, there can be no doubt of it, have shared the awful fate of Capt. Morgan.

These events, apparently so unprecedented in our country, and so alarming to the real friends of civil liberty, of all parties, have naturally produced an excitement in the public mind, against our Order, which is supposed, by the uninitiated to have sanctioned these violent and atrocious outrages and this supposition, you will readily perceive, as all candid and rational men must do, is founded on the well known fact, that both Morgan and Miller were seized and condemned to death (the latter escaping only by a Providential interposition) for being concerned, as was alledged by their captors, in divulging, by the pablication of a book, the secrets of Free Masonry.

Thus it was, that the excitement was produced which now threatens, as we think justly, to level our Order with the dust. It has been kept alive, not only by the virtuous, and highly laudible indignation, felt at the commencement of these outrages; but by the subsequent and reprehensible conduct of by far too many of the craft, who, instead of evincing a disposition to bring the guilty to justice, have exerted themselves to stifle enquiry, to suppress truth, and to aid the criminals, concerned in the murder of Morgan, to escape the arm of the law: of the truth of this assertion we could, if the object of this address required it, produced ample and unequivocal proof. This sinuous and unprincipled course, on the part of the craft, has not only increased the excitement, but has strengthened in the minds of all, and fully confirmed in ths minds of many, impartial and disinterested observers, the belief, that the kidnapping and murder of Morgan, and the kidnapping and intended murder of Miller, have flown from the legitimate principles of our Order, the penalties of our oaths and obligations.

The excitement has not only been kindled and kept alive, pure and holy as the vestal name of antiquity, in the heart of every enlightened, honest and independent freeman, in the western counties of this state; but it has at length, through the exertions of a few honest men, above the mean struggle for the loaves and fishes, which animates too many of the old political parties, reached some of the northern, eastern, and southern counties, in which it is daily increasing, and we have no doubt will finally prevade the Union, until in every State, and in every circle, where honor, honesty and patriotism are to be found, the solemn and imposing, the thundering and appaling question will be asked --

Was WILLIAM MORGAN EXECUTED by FREE MASONS, in CONFORMITY to the LAWS of FREE MASONRY, and CONTRARY to the LAWS of GOD and of OUR COUNTRY?

The answer to this awful question, brethren, we must all confess, will be in the affirmative, if given truly, without any disguise, equivocation, or mental reservation. For although those among us, who think the salvation of our Order of more importance than the preservation of those republican laws & liberties, for which our fathers bled & died on the field of battle, have pretended, that there is nothing in the ties, oaths, obligations, or principles of Free Masonry; which called for, or sanctioned, the Batavia outrages, and the foul murder in which they terminated; although this assertion has been boldly made within the halls of legislation, by men clothed with the confidence of the people; yet you well know it, and we equally well know it, to be utterly false, to be without even a shadow of foundation. For we assert, and fearlessly appeal to our Creator to witness the truth of it, that both you and we do know by experience, that every masonic oath, we have taken, and all of us have taken more or less, the horrid penalty of death or destruction, in some shape or other, and in several instances; in the most frightful and horrible shapes the imagination can conceive, is annexed to the violation of it: -- And now we ask, is Free Masonry so weak, so frivolous, on the one hand, as to expect to hold its members to their allegiance by bugaboos, penalties never intended to be executed, and consequently losing all terror, as well as all binding force, in the minds of those who subscribe to them, and thus defeating themselves? Or is it, on the other hand, so seriously intent upon preserving its secrets (such as they are, and such as Morgan, and the Le Roy Convention, have truly depicted a part of them,) that its oaths are administered with the determination to exact a rigid compliance with their promises, or an absolute and unqualified submission to their awful penalties, if violated? -- This question is answered by reference to the fate of Morgan; as well as of others, who have been made the victims of their own temerity, in violating the obligation of our Order, by the enforcement of the penalties of those obligations. Let the mouldering ashes of Smith, Murdock, and Mitchiner, as well as those of Morgan (to say nothing of many European victims) bear witness to the vengeance, which has hitherto fallen, with unerring and relentless aim upon the heads of all who have been suspected or convicted of betraying the secrets of Free Masonry!

Under these circumstances; with this view of the nature and tendency of masonic obligations, under the full conviction that these obligations are at war with the paramount duties which we owe to God, and to our country; and after calm and dispassionate reflection upon the inutility, folly, absurdity, and wickedness, of the Masonic Institution, as well as the pernicious effects which it has produced on our civil and political relations; it was solemnly determined and declared, by a Convention of Free Masons, assembled at Le Roy, in the county of Genesee, on the 19th day of February last, that the obligations of Free Masonry are neither legally, morally, nor religiously binding. The Convention, at the same time, appointed a committee to procure and prepare for publication, the secrets of the Order, so far. as they might be able to obtain them; and another committee of which the undersigned are the members, to draft a circular, to be addressed to each of their masonic brethren, throughout the United States, as may feel disposed to join us in the holy work -- for a holy work it is -- of unveiling to the world a Secret Association, whose system of fraud, deception, weakness and wickedness has no parallel; and which has been suffered, by far too long, to impose upon the credulity of the weak and unsuspecting; to lead simple and inexperienced youth to destruction; to confirm hoary-headed vice and infidelity in their vicious and impious courses; to promote private intrigue and iniquity; to impair the foundations of social order, and corrupt the fountains of public liberty and justice.

In pursuance, then of the object of our appointment, and guided by the facts herein stated, the views which they naturally suggest, and the conclusions which irresistably flow from them; we call upon all honest Free Masons, throughout the United States, to sit down calmly and conscientiously to the discussion, in their own minds, of the real nature and tendency of Free Masonry, as it now exists; and as it bears upon tbeir social, mural and religious obligations. We call upon them to enquire seriously into its origin -- its aim -- its principles -- its rites -- its inevitable tendency to corruption -- its horrible and blasphemous oaths. In this discussion, in their closets, and with their minds unbiased, we conjure them, by their love of country, and their reverence for God and his holy laws, to throw out of view entirely [as] private emolument, all public offices and honors, which they may expect to obtain, [or enjoy] from their connection with this secret society. We conjure them to reflect seriously upon the fate of William Morgan, and get rid, if they can, of the conchrston, that horrible as it was, it flowed from the legitimate principles of Free Masonry! We conjure them to turn their eyes to the halls of Congress, and of the State Legislatures; to the Executive snd Judicial Departments of their country; to all the seats of power, and all the sources of official dignity and influence throughout the land; and behold all these high places, all these fountains of wealth and honor, and all the avenues which lead to them, filled by the disciples of Free Masonry, and guarded by her myrmidons, as closely as the dragon of the Hesperides guarded the golden fruit! And we call upon them to say, whether all this monopoly of the honors and emoluments of a free government, be the work of chance or design; whether it flows from the unbiassed suffrages of the people, as a just tribute to the all-commanding, and superior virtue and wisdom of Free Masons; or whether it is not the effect of the dark intrigues of secret conclaves, scattered through every State, and controlled by their midnight management, the ballot boxes and the appointing powers. We conjure them to determine for themselves whether this dark and secret influence does not constitute an imperium in imperio, a government within a government and whether it was for this, that our country threw off the ancient yoke of the British Monarchy in '76, and the federal Aristocracy, and would-be Monarchy, own soil, in '95. We conjure them diligently to seek for truth upon this subject, certainly the most important that has agitated the minds of our countrymen, since the declaration of Independence; and with this view, to read, in the spirit of candor, and unbiased by masonic laws, or prejudices, the works of several writers, who have lately taken up their pens to expose a long concealed deception. We would particularly request their earnest attention to the ill fated Morgan's Illustrations of Masonry; Stearns's Enquiry into the Nature and Tendency of Speculative Free Masonry; Southwick's Solemn Warning; & Hotchkin's Candid Appeal to the Professors of Religion on the subject of Speculative Free Masonry. The last mentioned work is so small and cheap, that the poorest can afford to purchase it; and no Chrisitan can read it but with profit and pleasure. We conjure them to lose no time in the prosecution of this enquiry; but to commence it without delay, and with an earnest desire, expressed in prayer and supplication to the Giver of every good and perfect gift, to enlighten their understandings, to awaken their consciences, and to lead them out of the paths of darkness, and delusion; that they may no longer violate HIS holy laws, and pervert the freedom of their country or cause the wounds of their blessed Saviour to bleed afresh, on account of their connection with a superstitious, corrupt, unprincipled and wicked Institution. And finally, we conjure them, by their love of Liberty, and by the blood of the martyrs to her cause, who fell in our glorious revolution to meet us at Le Roy, on the fourth of July next, then and there to abjure for ever all allegiance to the Masonic Fraternity; to throw off the trappings, and the shackles of dark and barbarous ages; and to renew at the same time, the ties of virtue and patriotism; of morality and religion which bind all good men to maintain and defend the just laws and liberties of their country, and to love and reverence the name and the throne of JEHOVAH.

In behalf of the convention --
SOLOMON SOUTHWICK,
JOHN HASCALL,
JOHN TOMLINSON,
HERBERT A. READ,
DAVID C. MILLER,
W. W. PHELPS.
A. P. HASCALL. April 22, 1828.         Committee


Note: This "circular" first appeared in the Le Roy Gazette of May 8, 1828.

Another Free Press. -- An Anti-Masonic paper has been established at Canandaigua, by Messrs. Phelps and Bloomer, entitled the Ontario Phoenix. The people can but hail with honest joy, every such aquisition to [the] strength, and righteous, and patriotic opposi[tion to masonry]...


Note 1: Like Jonathan A. Hadley at the Lyons Countryman, Albion's Timothy C. Strong paid attention to the offerings of the Ontario Phoenix, and occasionally copied articles from Canandaigua's anti-Masonic paper into his Orleans Advocate. On this first notice Strong mentions that R. M. Bloomer joined with W. W. Phelps in starting up the Phoenix in Canandaigua. Bloomer's name was later dropped from the paper and it is possible that he remained at Trumansburg and continued his association with the Lake Light.

Note 2: The Advocate was not the first paper to notice the arrival of the Ontario Phoenix on the scene -- the Geneva Gazette printed this brief remark on May 7th: "An Anti-Masonic paper was commenced at Canandaigua on the 1st instant, entitled "The Ontario Phoenix" -- by Phelps and Bloomer, for the Proprietors." The #1 issue was evidently dated April 30th, but Gazette editor James Bogert may not have obtained his first copy until May 1st.

Mr. Crary's speech. Through the patriotic efforts of S. Southwick, esq. the antimasonic papers have been enabled to lay before the public this sound document -- Without exception we pronounce Mr. Crary's remarks the, most able, reasonable and philosophical we have yet seen on the subject of masonry. -- Ontario Phoenix.

---

The Lake Light has been transferred to Mr. St. John, by whom it will be published on the same principles that have heretofore characterised it.

Note: The Trumansburg Lake Light had been operated by Reuben St. John and Orasmus B. Clark during the first part of 1828. Clark evidently left the paper (as had his previous partner, R. M. Bloomer) shortly before the Advocate published this notice.

TO  THE  PUBLIC.

Induced by the repeated solicitations of three Masons, and possessing a desire to know somehing of the mysteries of their celebrated institution, I became a member of the Rising Sun Lodge No. 165, at Saratoga Springs, in the winter of 1827 and was very soon raised to the degree of Master Mason. Before I was initiated I had read Morgan's Illustrations of Masonry, and enquired of several Masons as to its truth, who informed me that it was not true. I found however on becomming a member that Morgan's Book was true masonry, and that it corresponds with the forms, ceremonies and doctrines, as far as I advanced, and I have no doubt it contains all that belongs to the three first degrees. Finding myself thus duped and cheated, immediately after taking the Masters Degree, I resolved never to have any thing more to do with masonry, and have not attended a lodge since, altho' repeatedly solicited by masons to so so. From what I have seen of masonry I am convinced it is productive of no good, but serves to unite bad men in the bonds of brotherhood and secrecy, who are thus rendered bold by their numbers, lose that fear of the laws and dread of public censure and reproach which they entertain when they stand singly and alone.

Soon after my initiation the master of the lodge W. A. L., said to me in a very familiar brotherly way, "Morgan was a great rascal for revealing our secrets, he ought to have been killed, he deserved to be killed," to this I made no reply, nor exactly comprehending his meaning as he had previously informed me that Morgan was only an entered apprentice and had not revealed the secrets of Masonry, but on his repeating it at a subsequent time became convinced from the manner in which he addressed me that he not only approved of Morgan's murder, but wished to inspire me with the same feeling. Upon my expressing disapprobation of his sentiments he desisted for that time, but subsequently renewed the same subject, used similar expressions, and apparently with the same design. What effect the example of such a man using such means might have had upon me, had I continued to frequent the lodges I know not, but I rejoice that I so soon withdrew from their contaminating influence, and would warn all who have any regard for their present or future happiness to shun the doors of a masonic lodge room as they would the Lion's den.

I hereby renounce all connexion with masonry.

WILLIAM W. ABBEY.              

Palmyra, May 20, 1828.

Masonry Nothing. -- A deacon of a certain Baptist church being closely pressed to inform a company of ladies what masonry was, as he had seven degrees, thus replied:

"A man, learning that a ship uncommonly laden had arrived in port, went immediateIy on board to satisfy his curiousity with what might be wonderful. After he had viewed nearly all things thereunto belonging, the Captain brought forward a trunk, sparking with diamonds and glittering with gold. 'What is in that?' inquired the anxious beholder; 'I must know.' Give me $5 and you can, replied the Captain. -- No quicker said than done; out went five dollars; and open flew the trunk. When lo! there was another trunk inside still handsomer than the first! 'O, what is in that!' exclaimed the astonished man. Give me $5 and you may see, says the Captain. As before, the money came out and the trunk was opened almost at the same moment, and so he continued paying $5 to see a trunk in a trunk, until the little 7th beautiful pretty of pretties was opened, and, wonderful to tell, it contained NOTHING!!" -- Canandaigua Phoenix.

MURDER WILL OUT.

[Members of the] fraternity who are sworn to... They have whispered some things so loud as to be distinctly heard. For instance; "That masonry is too powerful for government to suppress." "That the anti-masonic papers are short lived -- so long as masons hold the purse strings. That the editors engaged in giving more light, as they term it, are a set of infamous hirelings, supported solely by the rabble."

THE RABBLE! astonishing! must the laborious farmers of this country, who have fattened the merchants and mechanics around them, submit to such outrageous insults? Must the hardy sons and daughters, who have worn the best of their days thread bare, in fertilizing the wilderness, be jeered at, and called the"rabble" by these purse proud nobIes, who have skimmed the cream off every enterprise? Must we be persecuted and stigmatized for publishing the truth in a land of liberty? No. The people, the intelligent people, will, though insulted "with rabble," hold the reins of power and they will drive the chariot of favors to a better market." -- "Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall." -- Ont. Phoenix.

                             From the Lake Light.

In the year 1824, P. Washburn of Kent, Putnam county, (not a mason) was arrested and brought before a Masonic Justice of the Peace, on a charge of passing counterfeit money....

(read reprint in the Orleans Advocate.)

Note: This account was the first in the series of Lake Light articles, published under the heading "Blessings of Freemasonry." They were signed with the initial "H." -- meaning that W. W. Phelps (who had already left that paper to start the Phoenix) probably did not select the accounts or set their type for printing.

CELEBRATION  AT  LE ROY.

This was a proud day, and will be remembered as long as the ground lasts on which the "noble in soul" stood and declared themselves free from the shackles of freemasonry. On the evening of the third, the people, not only from different counties in the state, but from different states in the Union, began to assemble, and as the shades of night curtained the interesting prospect, the hallowed notes of the bugle sounded the glad tidings of "Freemen shall be free."

The morning of the fourth was ushered in by firing a national salute, which seemed to echo "joy to the world." The seceding masons opened their convention at Dwight's; read and adopted the new Declaration of Independence, and commenced signing off. The anxiety to record their names, and the press of people to see the holy performance, was a scene which may never occur again in a land of liberty. Between 10 and 11 the procession began to form, and in a short time a phalanx of different faces opened, facing inwards, and the orators, committee of arrangements, headed by Gen. Wadsworth, a goodly number of Revolutionary worthies, exposing their silver locks as a token more honorable than the badges of secret societies, the editors of free presses, &c. marched to the Presbyterian church, where preparations had been made for the services of the day. The ladies, committees, editors, &c. occupied the house -- the audience were provided with seats on the green to the east, and the orator's scaffold was erected near a large gothic window on the outside. The services commenced with an appropriate prayer, and after the Declaration of Independence had been read, Mr. H. A. Read, the person selected to address the anti-masonic celebrutors, delivered an oration which reflects honor to his distinguished talents, and was highly applauded by the multitude.

After the performances of the forenoon were through, the procession marched to a bowery in the field, and partook of an excellent dinner. When the cloth was removed, the usual number of select toasts, together with a variety of volunteers, were drank amid the discharge of cannon, accompanied with cheering. At four o'clock the celebrators rose from the table; formed a new procession, marched to the church, seated as before, and Solomon Southwick, Esq. delivered his oration to seceding masons, according to appointment. This may be called his master-piece. At the conclusion of one of his climaxes, the audience burst forth their applause -- and we heard the sound of --"long live Solomon Southwick!"

The performances closed about sundown, and during the day, among this large assemblage of people, from various places, no incident happened -- nor were the streets lumbered with blackguards and drunkards. The number of persons was variously stated, some calculated 12,000, some, 10,000, we, to be within bounds, shall say about 8,000.

The toasts, and a more particular account of the doings of the day, will be published hereafter.

The seceding masons convened again at the church, at 8 o'clock on the 5th. The secrets of freemasonry were than read to the world. A respectable audience, besides the seceding masons, attended through the day, and witnessed the development of the "pestilence that walks in darkness" and lives on human blood.

A delegation was received fiom Monroe county, bringing resolutions expressing the hearty thanks of a meeting in that county, to the seceding masons assembled at Le Roy. A communication was also received from the state of Vermont, containing the good tidings, that the "Green Mountain boys" were with us in spirit.

Before the convention adjourned, a number of resolutions were adopted, one of which is of vital importance to every anti-mason, and precludes the necessity of publishing an at article we had heretofore prepared.

The purport of the resolution is, that we, as anti-masons will not carry the anti-masomc principles into the presidential contest, &c. of course, then, we are happy at this time, to hail every anti-mason as a noble-souled freeman -- no matter whether he is for Jackson or Adams -- our race is not for men, but principles.

Masons and anti-masons seem to agree in the respectability of the celebration at Le Roy. There were men there, second to none in the state, and inferior to none in the United States. We have heard but one aspersion thrown out against it -- and was made by a DANDY JACK, calling the seceding masons at Le Roy, sneaks. Such language, however, befits such animals, and ought to be registered, like Balaam's Ass -- with the sublime command of Jehovah, when he said "let there be light, and there was light."


Note: This report was reprinted in the Geneseo Livingston Register of July 15, 1828.

FOR  THE  CAYUGA  REPUBLICAN.

The celebration of the 4th of July, in commemoration of that glorious day when the United States were declared free and independent, is highly becoming to every patriotic christian freeman...

The proceedings of last week at Le Roy must give a new impulse to the spirit of investigation; and when these proceedings shall go forth to the world in the calm but resistless energy of truth, they cannot fail to awaken in the breast of every disingenuous man, a sense of danger from the Masonic Conspiracy which is already organized in our country, and a determination to act on the side of Freedom and of God. As those proceedings will soon be laid before the publick, I shall not, at this time, attempt a very particular comment upon them. -- Suffice it then to say, that the concourse assembled on the 4th, was more numerous, and staidly respectable, than perhaps was ever witnessed before, in any village in our country. There were not less than 7000, and there may have been 10,000 present on that solemn and interesting day.

The exercises of The Celebration were of the first order. The throne of grace was appropriately and very solemnly addressed by the Rev. Mr. Myres of Le Roy; and an oration delivered by a Mr. Read. The Orator made, if not his best, certainly an extraordinary and successful effort. The exercises of the afternoon commenced at 4 o'clock. Mr. Southwick was on the stage in thebeginning of his Oration when I left Le Roy: I regretted that it was inexpedient for us to stay, to hear him also: for from him, I had anticipated a truly Anti-Masonick address; and doubtless such he there delivered. -- Elder Bernard, whom I am induced to believe, from a short acquaintance with him, to be a very sincere, active and worthy man, was also engaged in the afternoon services. Him, unfortunately, I did not hear. The convention of seceding Masons was in appearance, to say the least, very respectable. The Declaration of Independence adopted and signed by the Convention breathes a spirit worthy the offspring of the patriots and heroes of 1776, and the philanthropick and christian reformers of 1828. The first Declaration of Independence, stands, and forever will stand, the admiration and glory of all free people. It is a document no less valuable, because it was signed, perhaps by some whose religious views and principles all christians agree in pronouncing to have been unsound and dangerous to the soul. -- The second Declaration of Independence, the declaration adopted and signed at Le Roy, is a document which, with the first, will go down to distant posterity, as the admiration, the joy, and the glory of an emancipated world. It will be esteemed no less valuable, if, peradventure, the name of some unhappy unbeliever, shall be found subscribed beneath it. The pious Witherspoon, and the patriotick Washington did not refuse to act in friendly concert with all who would act in behalf of their suffering and endangered country. It is therefore, that now, at this time of dark conspiracy, peril and alarm, it is solemnly urged, and confidently expected that every man of piety, virtue, and patriotism will unite, in feeling and effort, to save themselves, their country, and their country's liberty from the grave which is already preparing for them.   N. D. STRONG.
      Auburn, July 7th, 1828.

FOURTH  OF  JULY.

TABLE TALK

... Elegant Extract. -- The Ontario Phoenix of July 2d contains the following exquisite sentence, embedded in a column of similar gems. We never copy from our cotemporaries without scruple, but from such classick sources as the Ontario Phoenix, we cannot refrain from drawing now and then, even at the risk of promoting its popularity to the prejudice of our own. Here is goes. -- "Every man who says there is beauty, wisdom, worth or religion in masonry -- is a nincompoop, and ought to be nibbled to powder post by grub worms."...

Note: Compare the W. W. Phelps language cited above with a quote from his first issue of the Lake Light: "We know not -- and should say, if there is be one solitary being who hates a newspaper, that he ought to be blown to Symmes' pothole in a whirlwind, sucked into the bowels of the earth by the attraction of gravitation, and nibbled to death, piece-meally, by animalculae."

(From the Ontario Phoenix.)

MURDER AND MASONRY!!

About twenty-five years ago, in Sussex Co., N. J., a little before sun-down, after the soldiers of a militia battalion had been dismissed, Gen. Hill, master of a masonic lodge in that vicinity, is said to have slain with his sword, on account of a trivial dispute, a Mr. Olverson. Hill was immediately arrested, and contrary to the general rule of law, was not confined in jail, but gave binds for his appearanceto court, of $2,000. He was indicted by the grand jury for murder -- but the petty jury, who were all masons, acquitted him, and, for any thing known to the contrary, he is still living.

If we are not mistaken, the grand jury in the state of New-Jersey, are drawn from the boxes, and the petty jury summoned by the sheriff, which, to every rational mind, is "proof strong as holy writ," that masonry saved this man from the gallows. Our informant, who is entitled to full credit for this statement, being an intelligent, respectable citizen of this county, who lived near where this bloody deed was [transacted], and is positive the whole transaction can be substantiated nearly as [is possible]....

[---- ---- --------] and earth, what is masonry but an engine of power over law, life, and liberty! Being after being has been sacrificed to glut its vengeance, and still its "sons of Belial," are singing the people to sleep with

          "Hail masonry divine!"

Solemnly, if there is divinity in masonry, there is religion in murder -- but pause. God will bring every thing to light, whether good or evil." -- Ontario Phoenix.

Note: This article was also reprinted in the Geneseo Livingston Register of July 8, 1828.

TABLE TALK

Elegant Extract. -- The following is one of those petit moraums which abound in the columns of the Ontario Phoenix. "Masons and anti-masons seem to agree in the respectability of the celebration at Le Roy -- there were men there, second to none in the United States. We have heard but one aspersion thrown out against it -- and that was made by a DANDY JACK, calling the seceding masons of Le Roy sneaks. Such language, however, befits such animals, -- and ought to be registered like that of Baalam's Ass -- with the sublime command of Jehovah, when he said 'let there be light, and there was light.'" The same Ontario Phoenix speaks of the great paragraph we noticed some time ago in the Boston Free Press, and says, -- "You will find it extracted from the Escritoir, vol. I. no. 44, page 1, and paragraph 1. Men of mystery! Of a truth Child lies!" We stated before that the sentence as quoted in the Free Press never appeared in the Masonick Record, nor ever came from the pen of its editor, nor any person who ever for a moment performed the duties of an editor for the Record. We now say that it never appeared in the columns of the Escritoir, nor was ever penned by any one who contributed in in any shape to the columns of the Escritoir. Do we lie now?

Note: W. W. Phelps began publishing his Ontario Phoenix in Canandaigua on March 18, 1818 -- so this notice in the Masonick Record was one of the first critiques offered in the pro-Masonic press. The editor's expressed indignation over Phelps' often ridiculous hyperbole and injudicious name-calling would be a recurring theme in subsequent responses from the Jacksonian and Masonic newspapers.

From the Ontario Phoenix.

"MEASURES  NOT  MEN."

Every day's experience convinces us that anti-masonry ought not to be connected with the presidential election. -- "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" in this matter, and he will do all in his power to prostrate masonry. It is already understood, or ought to be, that anti-masons go hand in hand in the county and state election. This is the only way to act consistently, and the true course to obtain the voice of the people. -- The following article from the Cazenovia Monitor, is exactly in point:

The True Course.-- We learn from Pompy, that an anti-masonic meeting was held in that town on the 5th inst. when a resolution was passed to this effect -- that whatever differences of opinion might exist between anti-masons, on the presidential question, they should not be suffered to interrupt the harmony or impair the strength of the anti-masonic party, in reference to our state and county elections. This is as it should be. A resolution of this kind should be passed at every anti-masonic meeting -- a feeling of this kind should fill every anti-masonic bosom. Every stratagem has been, and will be employed by our secret opponents, to divide and subdivide us, and to draw off our attention from the main object, that of delivering our country from the bondage of masonry.

Note: This piece by W. W. Phelps probably appeared in his Phoenix of July 16th. In the number for July 9th he said: "...we, as anti-masons will not carry the anti-masomc principles into the presidential contest... of course, then, we are happy at this time, to hail every anti-mason as a noble-souled freeman -- no matter whether he is for Jackson or Adams -- our race is not for men, but principles." Nevertheless, it may be confidently deduced that Phelps himself was an anti-Jacksonian, as well as an anti-mason during this period.

The Devil wants an Apron. --

The following advertisement appears in the "Lake Light," printed at Trumansburg, Tompkins county.

We wish to buy two or three Masonic Aprons. Our Devil says he cannot work at press without a Lamb-Skin! Those of Entered Apprentice will do -- he dont like them with daggers on -- he says they would force bad associations to his mind.

From the Lake Light.

BLESSINGS OF FREEMASONRY. -- NO. 1.

In the year 1825, P. Washburn of Kent, Putnam county, not a Mason, was arrested and brought to a Masonic Justice of the Peace on a charge of passing counterfeit money. The Justice on hearing the evidencecommitted him to gaol, he not being able to get bail. Shortly after the commitment of Washburn, suspicion fell upon a freemason residing in Kent, of being an accomplice of Washburn. He was arrested and brought before the same Masonic Justice who committed Washburn, and the proof being too strong to be overcome by masonic obligations, hewas bound over, not [to] the next oyer & terminer, at which Washburn was tried, but at the next court of oyer and terminer after his commitment, and sentenced to the state prison for ten years. On his trial he stated to the court that he was led into the counterfeiting business by the aforesaid Mason, who furnished him with funds to purchase the counterfeit money, and that the avails were shared equally between them.

Now reader, mark the difference between the fate of these two culprits and let it sink deep into your hearts as a truth never to be forgotten, that this Masonic Villain escaped the punishment due to his crime, the intervention of Masonry, as will appear in the sequel.

The Sheriff of the county was a mason, the Grand Jury were mostly masons, and although it was proved that the accused had passed a number of counterfeit bills, and that a ten or twenty dollar counterfeit bill on the same bank of those he had passed was obtained, from him by stratagem, yet a Masonic Grand Jury refused to find a bill of indictment against him, and he was discharged while the victim of his villany, who unfortunately for himself was not a mason is yet in state's prison.

The unavoidable inference from the facts is that the obligations taken by masons are in most cases deemed by them paramount to their obligations to society and their creator, and that they do in consequence interpose the shield of masonry to protect from punishment those of their order who are detected in violating the laws of their country. As a confirmation of their inference, recollect the testimony of H. A. Read, Esq. that being one of the Grand Jury of Genesee shortly after the abduction of Morgan, the foreman, a Knight Templar, told him that a majority of the Jury being masons, their brethren must not be indicted, regardless of the solemn oath he has just taken, to present every criminal transaction witout fear, favor or hope of reward. H.

From the Same.

BLESSINGS OF FREEMASONRY. -- NO. 2.

It has often been asserted and as often denied by freemasons, that the unhallowed obligations imposed on their deluded disciples, led them, in violation of the duties which they owe as members of civil society, to their country, to protect their brethren from punishment, even when known to be guilty of the most flagitious crimes. Since the exposition of the principles and obligations of the order many facts have been exhibited, which go to show most conclusively, the difficulty, and in many instances, the impossibility of bringing to justice a masonic criminal, how ever richly he may deserve state prison or the gallows.

The following case, exhibits in a striking point of light, the importance of being a member of the masonic society, to every man who wishes to violate the laws of God and his country with impunity.

Asher Selover, of the Town of Enfield, in Tompkins county, was arrested in Schenectady, on a charge [of ------ -------- ------ ---------] that the court would sentence him to state prison. But Selover was a freemason! [And one] possessing such talismanic power, that even the arm of justice is paralyzed by it, and the locks, bars and cells of Schenectady jail, yield to its magical influence, and the self-convicted culprit is again at large to renew his depredations upon society.

In plain English, the Court adjourned without sentencing Selover; he was remanded back to jail, but to the astonishment of every one not acquainted with masonic management, he was soon liberated on his parole of honor (masonic honor we presume,) and permitted to go and come at pleasure -- he made short excursions on the canal, and for a while regularly returned to prison; but finally made a long trip, and forgot to return.

He is said to be skulking about his former residence, and will, doubtless, soon resume his former habits, secure from punishment, while free masonry can exert her almost omnipotent power, in protecting her deluded votaries, in their high career of antiquity.

There are just grounds for believing that the extraordinary course pursued in relation to Selover, proceeded from the fact that he was one of the gang of villains who have long been employed in circulating spurious money about the country -- that this gang were all freemasons: and that Selover, unless extricated, would expose such an extensive combination of fraud and villany, as would shake to the centre, the already rotten and crumbling fabric of masonry. H.


Note: These two stories were the second and third in the series of Lake Light articles, published under the heading "Blessings of Freemasonry." They were signed with the initial "H." -- meaning that W. W. Phelps (who had already left that paper to start the Phoenix) probably did not select the accounts or set their type for printing.

TABLE TALK

... Elegant Extract. -- The Ontario Phoenix has furnished us with another superlatively beautiful paragraph, which we cannot help copying.

"Let our children be taught the horrid secrets of "murder and treason not excepted," and instead of their becoming statesmen, or ornaments to society, they would grow to gallows-birds and jail worms; more terrible than cannibals, and not less dreadful than the poison of the Bohon Upas.

Elegant Toast. The following toast was offered at the famous Le Roy celebration: --

"By David C. Miller, esq. The three great lights in Masonry, the Sun, Moon, and Master of a Lodge. The Sun is darkened, the Moon is turned to blood, and the Master is, or ought to be, black in the face....

We understand that the administration convention which met at Utica on the 24th inst. nominated Smith Thompson for Governor, and Francis Granger for Lieutenant Governor. It is a naked hook -- the bait won't take. Should Mr. Granger claim the proffered honor of Lieutenant Governor, we think he stands the best chance of any individual in the state of being elected Governor, by his friends.

Note: Ronald P. Formisano's 2008 For the People: American Populist Movements... provides this historical insight, on page 103: "Another problem for Anti-Masonry arose from the continuing hostility of many [John Q.] Adams-[Henry] Clay Republican Masons in eastern New York. Both of these fault lines in Anti·Masonry helped determine the outcome of the 1828 state election. The Bucktails [anti-Clintonians] put forth their strongest candidate, Martin Van Buren,who was looking forward to a Jackson presidential victory and a place in a new administration, but the opposition split between two candidates. The Adams Republicans nominated Smith Thompson, a former Bucktail. Anti-Masonic pragmatists, such as Thurlow Weed, editor of the Rochester Anti-Masonic Enquirer and at the start of a brilliant career as a political manager, hoped to unite the Anti-Masons behind Thompson and Adams. But after a series of conventions dominated by the Christian "ultras," one held at a Utica Baptist church, the Anti-Masons put forward Solomon Southwick, editor of the Anti-Masonic Albany National Observer. Weed and his fellow pragmatists regarded Southwick as "visionary and unsound" and unable to make converts to Anti-Masonry because of his extreme views. Jackson narrowly carried New York's popular vote (51 percent), while Van Buren became governor with a plurality (49.5 percent), with Thompson and Southwick dividing the opposition vote.... Although Southwick's nomination and defeat marked the 'zenith of evangelical religious Antimasonry' in New York, the party continued to find it difficult to make significant gains beyond western New York."

From the Ontario Phoenix.

"MURDER  WILL  OUT."

            Hung be the Heavens in black. -- SHAH.

As we have before stated -- Morgan was murdered by masons. Mr. Giddins has told the story in his Almanac for 1829. Passing by several statements -- we read:

"One of these men observed to me, that Morgan would make no more noise after he got hold of him, he would warrant me; 'for,' said he, 'he fears me as he does the devil, he knows me of old, we are well acquainted.' He then observed that he was a farmer, and resided near Canandaigua, that when he first heard of this affair he was ploughing in the field, but immediately left his work by request, and teIling his wife that he was going away to be absent perhaps a week, had not seen her since."

To this paragraph we shall only ask where is the "farmer" that went to the harvest of death? Shall he live in peace when every zephyr whispers murder? -- Let the people answer.

"A long talk now took place between Morgan and his visitors; he had piled all the ammunition boxes by the door, and this was undoubtedly the barricade he alluded to in the morning; powder was also scattered over the floor, and Morgan hearing it quash under their feet, 'be careful gentlemen, I advise you to be careful, there appears to be powder on the floor, you may blow yourselves up."

Morgan observed that he piled the boxes up, for the purpose of climbing to the window upon them -- that while at the west window he saw a part of a building through the crack, and a black woman coming towards him -- that he cried murder for the purpose of making her hear him, but had concluded she did not hear him. One of the company spoke to her as follows.

"Wretch," said he, "how dare you undertake to break down the barriers of morality? and that it becomes our duty to inflict some of the penalties you bound yourself under in so solemn manner? Prepare yourself," continued he, "make your peace with your God, for you have but a few moments to live." On being asked what death he would choose, he answered "the death of a soldier, shoot me!" "But," continued he, "gentlemen, if you take my life, you know not what an injury you will do masonry, but if you give me my liberty my book will do but little harm."

God of heaven! murderers! Ye "barriers of morality!" Fall on us ye mountains, for man hath outsinned all calculation. Remember this paragraph it is masonry in good earnest -- but supposing the uninitiated had taken a mason, and treated him as masons did Morgan, for the purpose of obtaining the hidden mysteries, -- what would have been the consequence? Massacre of thousands -- nothing less. "Make your peace with your God!" Surely there is power in masonry.

"About the 16th, I will not be positive as to the exact date, I was told by a mason of high degree that he had received a letter, stating that _____ had written to some of the western Lodges, directing that Morgan's publication must be suppressed, cost what it would, even to the shedding of blood. Indeed the subject was stated many times in conversations on the Morgan affair during the months of September and October, and from what I could learn, [I] am convinced that the masons of that neighborhood acted or thought they acted, in this affair as directed, or at least recommended by their ______.

On the 16th and 17th, the person to whom the key was given when I returned it. having charge of the Magazine, several times called on me for bread for his prisoner. He has since told me that he had much conversation with Morgan, but did not go into the body of the building, and did not distinctly see him as the room was dark.

Soon after my return, (I think the same evening,) I was called on by a mason ( _____ ) who with a great degree of earnestness observed, 'Giddins, they have murdered that man.'

Thus it appears, that an innocent citizen, in a free country, for no other cause than that of telling the truth to expose the iniquity of a corrupt institution, was bound, hoodwinked, tortured & MURDERED! -- and yet the perpetrators are suffered to go unpunished! Even the kidnappers, who tore Morgan from his family, have not been punished! They went to jail, to be sure, [but] they fared like Congressmen instead of criminals -- notwithstanding the law of God declares that if a man steals a man, he shall surely be put to death. " Masonry is a powerful institution," beyond everything but public opinion. Before we leave this subject, we must state, that Mr. Giddins, called upon by his conscience, his country and his God, though implicated in the transaction, has dared to tell the truth, whereby he renders himself an object for masonic vengeance, and the public must sustain him. No one need enquire -- "where is Morgan?'" He was murdered by masons, according to the principles of the institution; wo to masonry!

---

From the Same.

ANTI-MASONIC.

The Anti-Masonic Free Press of Boston, has a cut in the head, representing the down fall of masonry. -- Morgan's corpse, which ought to terrify every mason living, lays a bleaching on the square, compass and thigh bones; the pillars, Jachin and Boaz, are tumbling into the gulf of contempt -- the candle breaking over the glory -- the bottle, hour glass & crown, are seen at one end of the wreck, and the noodle's wine goblet, a human scull, stands at the other; the whole surmounted by the great level, public opinion, which in a free country, sinks mountains of vice; exalts valleys of virtue, and makes the rough places smooth. -- The Masonic Record, at Albany, ought to have a similar one, instead of the All-seeing Eye, which is blasphemous carricature on Jehovah. But Child has been so long case hardened in the furnace of masonry, that he does not know morality from mythology. Spoilt Child!

---

BLESSINGS OF FREEMASONRY. -- NO. 3.

"By their fruits ye shall know them."

Masonry is in every important particular, the very reverse of what it professes to be -- it claims to be the "handmaid of religion;" yet it encircles in its communion, men of every faith, the followers of Mahomet and Confucius, the worshippers of Juggernaut and Jesus; as well as the avowed infidel and reviler of all religion.

It professes to inculcate submission to whatever government its followers may chance to live under; and to respect the majesty of the laws emanating from such government. How well their practice corresponds with their professed principles, let the following statement of facts, answer.

Some years since, William Marvin, a royal arch mason, broke into the dwelling of Ebenezer Hayden, a wealthy merchant of Middlesex county, Conn., and after threatening the old man with instant death, if he made any noise, opened his chest and robbed him of $6,000 in gold and silver. Marvin was suspected of the robbery, and on search being made, the money was found in his barnyard, buried in a heap of manure. He was arrested and confined in prison, but immediately bailed in a bond of $4,000 by his royal arch brethren. He was tried at the next term of the superior court, when the jury immediately returned a verdict of guilty; but his counsel moved for a new trial, on the ground that two of the jury had expressed an opinion of his guilt before the trial, which proving to be the fact on examination, the motion was granted, and $1,000 stricken from the bond, on the suggestion of his counsel.

This masonic culprit had two or three more successive trials, was each time convicted, and each time found means to escape the sentence of the law, (state prison for life) by the intervention of the grand hailing sign of distress, and the paramount obligation of masonic oaths, over the laws of the land. His bond was repeatedly lowered by the indulgence of the court to about $1500, when the benevolent and charitable royal arch brethren of Middlesex county, directed this midnight robber to leave the state, and paid his bond!

It is admitted that in the above case, there was no open rebellion against the laws, and that this royal arch villain was not released from confinement by an armed masonic bandit. Yet it is submitted to a candid public, if the secret engine of masonry, is not more to be dreaded, and of more dangerous tendency, in destroying all confidence in our civil tribunals, in subverting all law and all justice, by enabling masonic criminals to escape the punishment due to their crimes; than open and bold defiance of the laws, and the employment of physical force to effect the release of the brethren from "durance vile."   H.

BLESSINGS OF MASONRY. -- NO. 4.

About four years ago, a gentleman in the county of Broome, who is not a mason, borrowed of a neighbor who was a mason, a ten dollar bill. Expressing some doubts to the lender of the genuineness of the bill he agreed to receive it again if it should prove bad.

The borrower of the bill, paid a debt with it, and went a journey: -- On his return, he found the same ten dollar bill sent back to him as counterfeit. He immediately called on the person of whom he borrowed the bill, and requested him to take it back according to agreement. He refused, denied any knowledge of the bill, or any agreement to take it back. After a number of ineffectual attempts to settle the difficulty, a suit was commenced; at the joining of issue, the parties agreed to select a jury; the mason chose three of his masonic brethren, and the plaintiff, who at that time had no suspicion of masonic influence, selected one mason, and two who were not masons. On the trial, the plaintiff proved the bill to be the same he had borrowed of defendant, that defendant agreed to take it back if it proved bad, and also proved by a number of the best judges of money that the bill was counterfeit. The jury were out a long time but being unable to agree, were discharged, and the plaintiff not being fond of litigation, gave up the suit and lost his ten dollars.

It will be perceived by the above statement, that the jury in this consisted of four masons and two who were not masons. It was soon ascertained that the jury were divided, four against two, that is, the four masons were for giving a verdict for their brother mason, while the two that were not masons, were for a verdict according to evidence, and according to the solemn oaths they had just taken.

Here then is one more proof of the blessings of masonry; not to the opiniated, not to the community at large, but to a band of midnight conspirators, whose worse than the banditti obligations to each other, led them to violate the plainest principles of justice; to disregard the oath of God, which is upon them either as witnesses or jurors: and to trample on the rights, the feelings & the privileges of the uninitiated, apparently regardless of the laws of the land, or the mandate of the Most High.

If the free and the independent citizens of this favored country, will not unite their efforts to crush this haughty monster, and to eradicate from the land this Heaven daring institution, this foul blot on our history; then they are unworthy of the blessmgs of Heaven; unworthy of the sacred name of freemen, and fit only to be "hewers of wood, and drawers of water" to the grand high priests, and grand kings of the most eminent, and most excellent institution of free masonry. H.


Note: The Ontario Phoenix editor's comments, interspersed throughout the Giddins quotes, are from W. W. Phelps.

Ontario County Anti-Masonic Convention. -- We learn that the Anti-Masonic Convention of Ontario county was well represented, and have elecetd Nathan Pierce, William Canfield, Jonathan Buel, Nathan Jenks, Jonathan Mason, and Timothy Mover, Delegates to the Utica Convention. -- Delegates were also chosen to the Senatorial and Congressional Conventions. So the spirit of Anti-Masonru marches steadily forward. -- Palmyra Freeman.

---

Mr. Southwick has publicly declined a nomination for governor by the anti-masonic convention. He joins in deprecating the attempts to connect the anti-masonic question with the politics of the day.

Note: Unfortunately W. W. Phelps report on this early August, 1828 "Anti-Masonic Convention of Ontario county" has evidently not survived. He would have been both deeply interested and deeply involved in its proceedings and outcome. Thurlow Weed later recalled: "[Many delegates at the 1828 Utica National Republican Convention] were warmly in favor of Smith Thompson, [but] .... An Anti-Masonic paper at Canandaigua, edited by W. W. Phelps... denounced that nomination, and came out with a call for an Anti-Masonic State convention. The Anti-Masonic paper at Le Roy responded warmly... An Anti-Masonic State convention was immediately called, which met at Utica, and nominated Francis Granger of Ontario, for governor, and John Crary, of Washington County, for lieutenant-governor."

ELEGANT EXTRACT. -- The Ontario Phoenix of the 2d July, contains the following exquisite sentence, embeded in a column of similar gems. We never copy from our cotemporaries without scruple, but from such classic sources as the Ontario Phoenix, we cannot refrain from drawing, now and then, even at the risk of promoting its popularity to the prejudice of our own. Here it goes. "Every man who says there is beauty, wisdom, worth or religion in Masonry, is a nincompoop, and ought to be nibbled to powder post by grub worms."

TABLE TALK

... Elegant Extract. -- The Ontario Phoenix continues to furnish us with this article, for which we are very thankful. Ecce signum: --

"If masonry was not stained with the blood of its victims, it ought to be annihilated for creating distinctions among the people. people. If it was not chargeable With titles which belong to despots, it might to be banished for blaspheming Jehovah. If it was not guilty of irreverence to the Supreme Being, it ought to be swept from the face of the earth, for _sitting in secret._ But as it is known to have been guilty of all these crimes, and ten times as many more, it ought to be struck out of existence. And we glory in saying that one bold push towards the accomplishment of so desirable an object, was made at Le Roy, on the fourth day of July, past. Virtue held dominion over vice: patriotism put land marks to power; and principle set an example for men. The word has gone forth in equity, and will not be held in 'durance vile,' by the 'holy brotherhood,' nor snuffed up by such animals ay bore the burdens of their masters in the 'ancient of days.'

"Masonry must sink into its original depravity, THE ARM OF THE LORD SHALL NOT SAVE IT. It has become odious to men, foolish to women, and a bye word for children. Let it be hewn down and cast into the pit 'where their worm dies not, and the fire is not queuched.' The masons who murdered Morgan, murdered masonry -- and blessed be God, for there were need of these means. Selah."

                From the Ontario Phoenix.

ANTI-MASONIC  STATE  CONVENTION.

Agreeably to a resolution of the Le Roy Anti-Masomic Convention, held in March last, a State Convention was held at Utica on the 4th inst., at which FRANCIS GRANGER, of the county of Ontario, was nominated for Governor, and JOHN CRARY, of Washington county, for Lieutenant Governor. Much other business was transacted by the convention, which was in session nearly three days. The proceedings will soon be published in pamphlet form, under the direction of the General Corresponding Committee of the State of New York....

On Monday, when the convention was first organized, 83 members appeared and took their seats, among whom were several members of the present state legislature... These plain, honest, unsophisticated men have never been taught the art of making speeches, yet many in that convention raised their brawny and determined voices in a language too plain to be misunderstood....

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                From the Ontario Phoenix.

A  BRIEF  HISTORY.

MR. EDITOR. -- The following brief history of [-------] is submitted for your consideration... [illegible scan -- see original on microfilm]

STATISTIC  VIEW.

It is now nearly two years since freemasonry in dependence upon its vast extent of power and influence throughout the Union, sallied forth and executed one of the laws of its horrid code against an individual unproved of guile, save against the unnatural and illegal mandates of the brotherhood. But in spite of their carefully devised concert for secrecy, the plot, with all its attendant horror, came to the light of the world, and awakened in the breasts of an insulted public a spirit of inquiry commensurate with the revolting nature of the act, and a consequent curiosity was soon evinced to know more of the principles which tolerated and enjoined such iniquitous proceedings. Men of principle, of character and of standing, who had heretofore, under the influence of well-grounded fears, borne in silence the chains of masonic bondage, now ventured to cast themselves for safety upon the protection of the public, and answer the inquiries that were made respecting the words and works of the order. Their disclosures resulted in the developement of principles and of scenes, shocking to every feeling of humanity, discordant with every principle of republicanism, and fraught with irreligion, and even blasphemy in its most damning shape. Hence arose what has been termed the anti-masonic excitement, which has spread with rapidity astonishing to its friends and disheartening to its foes; a rapidity which manifests that there is a redeeming spirit to meet and vanquish every evil of our land, when laid open to the view of a jealous republic. Masonry has felt the shock and made a show of resistance, but destitute of argument, reason, and every other weapon but slander and scurrility, she has cowered before the unequal warfare, and ere long will only have strength to wail her fallen hopes and chaunt the requiem of her mortality.

To take a cursory view of the present state of the excitement which is fast producing these wholesome results is the business to which we have now assigned ourselves. A few months ago this might have furnished matter for a single remark, as the state of feeling in a few neighboring towns would have bounded our view. But now not a few towns, or counties, or even our own state alone demand our attention, but the maledictions of masonry throughout every part of the Union, point out to us the footsteps of anti-masonry. For example we particularize the exiting feeling in a few of the states....

New-York -- Here the patriotic flame was first kindled up, and here it burns with the brightest effulgence. Upon its western section the light first beamed, but it was too brilliant to be shrouded, too mighty to be compressed. Upward it rose and onward it gleamed until the sky above reflected its light, and our remotest corners beheld with rapture its grateful ray. The eastern now rivals and threatens to outstrip the western part of the state in zeal of patriotism; the northern counties have thrown out the gauntlet to the southern and bidden them to a trial of their prowess. But they war not as enemies -- they hail each other as compeers in a glorious work, and each acclaims with a gladsome heart his fellow's deeds. The churches of Christ have commenced the work of purification, and civil compacts have given their suffrages to men unshackled by its horrid thrall. The following list of independent papers in the state, shows that masonry is losing the power of her charm and the terror of her wrath.

Watertown Republican, by S. A. Abbey.
Censor. (Jefferson Co.) by T. Parsons.
Sandy Hill Sun, by A. Emmons.
National Observer, by S. Southwick.
Cazenovia Monitor, by J. F. Fairchild.
Auburn Republican, by T. M. Skinner.
Lake Light, by St. John & Clark.
Seneca Farmer, by W. Childs.
Ontario Chronicle, bv Jackson & Cowdry.
Ontario Phoenix, by W. W. Phelps.
Palmyra Freeman, by D. D. Stevenson.
Rot luster Enquirer, by Weed kHeron.
Livingston Register, by J. Perchal.
Le Roy Gazette, by Hotchkin & Starr
Buffalo Patriot. by H. A. Salisbury.
Jamestown Journal, by A. Fletcher,
Westfield Star, by H. Newcomb....

BEAUTIES OF THE ONTARIO PHOENIX. -- We have seen the "Beauties of Ossian," -- "Beauties of Sterne," -- "Beauties of Watts," -- and the same of a score of elegant writers; but our readers have as yet been in total darkness, compared with that intellectual light, which we are about to embody, under the title of "Beauties of the Ontario Phoenix." We must crave the indulgence of our readers, if in our attempts to illustrate the brilliant ideas we are about to quote, any material beauty should escape us; for in such a situation, the ideas act upon our understanding like the Paddy's ducks; while he was taking aim at one another intervenes, -- and indeed to name them would be more than a match for the pen of a Southey.

The first article we shall notice is a poem, -- and what a pity, too, -- the only article of that kind which has originally appeared in that paper. It is entitled the "Feast of Le Roy," -- and we are sorry we cannot find room for the whole of this truly curious production. The two first stanzas follow.

The day rise with splendour, the world gazed with wonder.
     The heart beat with triumphant pleasure and joy;
The cannon were playing, the banners displaying --
     To grace the great day at the feast of Le Roy.

The printer and patron, the new bride and matron,
     And ladies of sixteen so graceful and coy;
Great men of the nation, of wealth, rank, and station, --
     Were proud to be seen at the feast of Le Roy.

The cannon were playing," &c. The excellence of figure in this line is more than sufficient to atone for the gramatical anomaly. What can be more expressive of universal peace, than the idea of the cannon playing -- for instance, like the Iambs. Other great poets have used similar figures.

"And ladies of sixteen," &c. There is a Wonderful beauty in this line. Think of the scene, and you cannot but admire the author's mode of expression. The idea of "graceful" naturally follows that of being "ladies," -- and for the idea of "coy," only imagine them crammed into the slips and aisles of the church, amidst "the aged so hoary," with no other air than the fumes of gin and tobacco, -- and we should naturally suppose "coyness" would be a matter of course. Why our author has taken the title "ladies," in preference to the more common one of "maidens," we are at a loss to discover. He, being personally acquainted with the audience he is describing, is without doubt a better judge of the fitness of names, in this case; and we presume he has given them the more appropriate title of the two. We will now pass on to the fifth stanza.

The jacks stood amazed, and silently gazed,
     Their joys and their pleasures were struck with alloy.
They "knew in all reason," their good friends the masons.
     Would lose all their power at the feast of Le Roy.

The application of this stanza to what arc termed masonick Jacks, renders it needless for us to comment upon the sentiments. The idea of "joys and pleasures" being "struck with alloy," is however entirely original. The structure of the stanza, both as it respects rhyme and euphony, is truly exquisite. We shall now pass to the three last stanzas of this fine poem, and after a few notices of their peculiar beauties, turn our attention to the beauties in prose, for which that paper is yet more famous.

The splendid oration can challenge the nation --
     The day closed with transports of peace, Love, and joy,
And poets unburn will sing of the morn,
     That rose on the glorious feast of Le Roy.

May heaven aid lend us, from this Independence.
     To purge out the "beast" and his kingdom destroy;
May we be united and always delighted.
     As when round the board at the feast of Le Roy.

No more shall the masons deceive a great nation.
     With nonsense unfit for an ignorant boy;
The "wisdom of sages and wonder of ages"
     Is all come to nought at the feast of Le Roy.

The first stanza is intended to compliment "the honourable Solomon Southwick, Esquire," orator of the day. But the two last lines speak of "poets unborn," we think rather needlessly. If our opinion may be allowed to have any weight against the excessive modesty of the poet who is already born, we must say that the "Bard of Steuben," author of this very poem, has done the business already. No one need to expect to sit where he has so well filled the seat.

We are at a loss to explain the allusion to "an ignorant boy," but our devil is of opinion that it refers directly to the fact, that masons do not admit boys to a participation of their privileges. Now for our promised prose extracts.

"if masonry is not prostrated till we talk it out of the United States, farewell to freedom; when the sun shines in the night there will be no need of candles.

"No, fellow citizens -- publick opinion can no more break down the masonick institution, than a drove of cattle can drink up a river.

"Masonry is a huge monster with many heads and many horns, and while we cut off one, another comes out. It is master of all tongues and languages, and fitted for every element, and every clime, who then can laugh it to sleep, or talk it to death? no-one: and so with the Highlander's laconic address to his troops we will leave the Autocrat of Terror for this week: 'Now brave boys, do you see your enemies yonder? well, if we don't conquer them, they'll conquer us: charge upon them!'"

Writers of first rate talents always succeed best in matters of fiction; but here we have not only a little truth mingled with the outpourings of the editor's imagination, but a great deal of real good sense. He sees farther into the nature of the institution than many of his editorial brethren; and candidly acknowledges that masonry cannot be "talked to death," nor "laughed to sleep," and recommends to them the very means of extirpation we always have pointed out as their sole hope, for its destruction: -- to wit, -- the axe and the halter. This is their dernier resort. They hope, by pretending to talk it down, to propagate their faith, till they have enrolled a party strong enough to venture on a general plan of universal proscription.

(From the Ontario Phoenix.)

ANTI-MASONIC CONVENTION.

The state anti-masonic Convention, assembled at Utica on the 4th inst. continued in session three days. Eighty three delegates appeared and took their seats on the first day. Although attempts were made to divert the attention of the Convention, and turn the holy ardor of an enlightened people into political purposes, to promote the election of one or the other of the presidential candidates, yet, with a firm and fixed resolution, almost every man present, raised his hand and voice against such a mean mercenary measure, and boldly stood forth as an apostle of equal rights, to heal the dear bought liberties of our cable towed country from the bloody stab of masonic VENGEANCE!

The spirit of the "west" was there; a part of the stay and staff of the state, the farmer, was there; the crucible to melt error over the fire of "public opinion," was there, and that 'still small voice' which whispered to TEN THOUSAND freemen at Le Roy, on the 4th of July 1828 was there -- to put down secret societies, and save our government and country from a labyrinth of ruin, planned by the midnight overseers of "murder and treason not excepted!"

Cooley's Masonic Gallery. -- We have been much pleased with the Masonic Paintings of Mr. Cooley, now exhibiting at the house of [Win. Haling?], in this village. We have every reason to believe that they are executed with great accuracy, and that refined taste which but few of the American artists possess, is plainly distinguished in them.... A portrait of the patriotic Solomon Southwick, as well as those of the unfortunate widow and children of the Martyr Morgan, are annexed.... Palmyra Freeman.

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Masonic meanness and outrage. -- An attempt was made on Saturday evening last, by some masonic villains, to destroy some of the paintings in Mr. Cooley's gallery, and had it not been for the presence and interference of the person in attendance, much injury would have been done. Under pretence of viewing the paintings, they approached very near them and attempted to cut them in pieces. The same malignity and black-heartedness whichstained the deadly knife in the blood of the martyr Morgan, prompted these villains to the use of same weapon in the destruction of a true and faithful representation of their midnight orgies and bacchanalian revels. A stab was given to the portrait of Solomon Southwick, and we doubt not if the same facility and impunity had existed, but the wretch who committed the act, would have as readiIy aimed the blow at the heart of that respected citizen. We are happy to learn, that the injury is not serious, and can be repaired so as not to be perceptible to the eye of the general observer. Palmyra Freeman.

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The trials of Bruce, Turner and Darrow, for the abduction of Morgan, are to come on this week, at Canandaigua. The public attention is turned to these trials with painful solicitude. Four terms of the court have been eluded by trick and chicanery. It is now to be seen whether justice is to be forever mocked. The person appointed by the state authorities to prosecute these trials, with full powers to secure the attendance of witnesses, has had three months to prepare for them. The proof within his reach is overwhelming. The committee have furnished him with information that cannot fail to... [illegible scan -- see original on microfilm] ... Ontario Phoenix.

Note 1: The "Masonic Paintings of Mr. Cooley" were the property of Anthony Cooley of Le Roy. They were evidently all totally destroyed by vandals, a year after their exhibition in Palmyra and other western New York towns (see the Batavia Republican Advocate of Oct. 2, 1829 and the Palmyra Reflector of Nov. 4,1829). Cooley was one of the signers of the July 4, 1828 "Declaration of Independence from the Masonic Institution." He also worked with W. W. Phelps, Solomon Southwick and others on the committee "to draft a memorial to Congress," which was formed at the Le Roy Anti-Masonic Convention of Feb. 19-20, 1828.

Note 2: The content of one of Anthony Coolry's portraits survived -- in the form of a steel engraving facsimile, that served as the frontispiece for David Bernard's 1829 Light on Masonry. -- Anthony Cooley was a close relative of (Edwin) Alanson Cooley, an anti-Masonic printer at Lockport. He printed Lyman A. Spalding's monthly Priestcraft Exposed, as well as an illustrated almanac: The Analetic Calendar... to expose the craft of the priesthood in Christendom. This Mr. Cooley evidently had some role in the creation of William Morgan's engraved portrait (based upon one of Anthony Cooley's paintings). In later years, E. A. Cooley was a partner with Oliver Cowdery in the publication of the Wisconsin Walworth Democrat.

                  From the Ontario Phoenix.

Morgan Trials. -- The persons indicted for a conspiracy in the case of William Morgan, were brought to trial at the General Sessions of this county, on Tuesday last. Mr. Giles, whose bonds were to have been estreated, was re-recognized on the said bonds and will have his trial hereafter.

Eli Bruce, the late sheriff of Niagara county, who was removed from office by the governor last fall, and Darrow and Turner, were put on trial; the testimony had progressed some time when Edward Giddins, the main witness in the whole transaction, was called to the stand: -- an objection was raised as to his being a competent witness, on account of his religious tenets, and after a multiplicity of testimony and arguments on both sides, he was excluded by the court.

The court decided on the well known rule of law, and with all becoming defference to it, it may be justifiable, but our duty compels to give our opinion also.

The balance of the testimony was that Mr. Giddins was an honest man, and believed in an overruling power -- a God -- though his notions of a future existence were different from some others: and especially from a Canadian, who volunteered his services against Mr. Giddins as British testimony, which, like British influence, ought never to disgrace the purity of American liberty.

The constitution of the United States grants us the liberty of conscience, and we have a right to elect a president without regard to religious principles; he may "believe in twenty gods or one," his oath of office is not questioned, though it might be with as much propriety as was Mr. Giddins' in this case. The constitution of the state says:

"The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed in this state, to all mankind."

Now, in accordance to the above and agreeable to the resolution of the senate, made on account of a similar decision, given by judge Spencer, we say to exclude a witness on account of his religious principles, is unconstitutional, and contrary to the rules of moral philosophy. If Mr. Giddins had committed perjury there was a remedy, but we pass, for the subject can go before the legislature.

Darrow and Turner, for want of Giddins' testimony, went clear, but Bruce was brought in GUILTY.

We understand that ten of the jurors were agreed in a short tune, after they retired, but two, both masons, held out some time.

Mr. Masely, assisted by the district attorney, conducted the prosecution. The trial continued about four days, during which time, though present but a part, we observed masonry enough to convince us, that the law was a mere bubble. We were actually astonished that Giddins should be questioned, when jurors were admitted who were bound in unconstitutional obligations to keep sacred a brother's secrets right or wrong.

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Morgan Trials. -- We publish to-day, to the exclusion of many other interesting articles, the trials of Messrs. Bruce, Turner, and Darrow; which came on at Canandaigua week before last. The former was found guilty, and the two latter were acquitted, owing to the exclusion of the testimony of Mr. Giddins, the main witness against them. -- The court has impended the sentence of Bruce until the Supreme Court shall have decided upon the objections raised by Gen. Mathews. Bruce has in the mean time been admitted to bail. The result of these trials, so contrary to what was anticipated, is another proof of the potent arm of freemasonry, and shows the insufficiency of the laws when in opposition to its interests.

Note: W. W. Phelps gave a paraphrase of the famous Thomas Jefferson quote, which says: "it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god." Why he chose to remove its atheistic component is unclear, but perhaps Phelps wished to avoid any talk of Mr. Giddins being too much of an infidel to swear an oath in a Christian court. His retention of the polytheistic component may also be significant. Phelps was not yet a Mormon and no Mormon doctrine of a plurality of gods yet existed in 1828 -- but Phelps had been a Mason and that fraternity stood ready to admit into its lodges polytheists in such far-flung corners of the British empire as India. Perhaps W. W. Phelps, as early as 1828, really did not care whether his personal friends and associates chose to "believe in twenty gods or one."

FRANCIS  GRANGER,  ESQ.

The following communication, sent to us for publication, settles the point in relation to Mr. Granger's nomination for governor. Under all circumstances he has done right. Political honor should never be sacrificed for party benefit.

Palmyra, August 28, 1828.          

To Francis Granger, esq.

Sir -- On my return this day from Canandaigua, I received a letter from Mr. Childs, one of the committee appointed by the anti-masonic convention, held at Utica on the 4th inst. to announce to you, your nomination to the office of Governor of this state, written on his return from Saratoga, authorizing me as a member of the committee, to communicate with you in his behalf, on that subject -- similar authority has sometime since been given to me by Mr. Cary, the other member of the committee.

I herewith enclose to you the proceedings of the convention, and as a part of the duties enjoined upon the committee, beg leave to solicit your answer.
            I am, sir, most respectfully,
                       Your obedient servant,
                                  ISRAEL J. RICHARDSON.

Canandaigua, August 30, 1828.          

To Israel J. Richardson, esq.

Sir -- Through you, as the organ of communication of the committee appointed by the anti-masonic convention, I was yesterday formally apprised of my nomination for the office of governor of this state.

Before proceeding to state the reasons which, in my view, impel me to decline this flattering distinction, permit me to make a passing remark upon my present situation in relation to the parties by whom I have been honored with nominations for the two highest stations in our state government.

It has been erroneously asserted in various public prints that I had accepted the nomination of lieutenant governor, and it has been intimated directly, or by insinuations more base and cowardly than a direct charge would have been, that after receiving the nomination of the 23d of July, I had consented to that of the 4th of August, and that letters had been written by me to the members of the anti-masonic convention, leading to different conclusions; that while by one letter it appeared that I could not accede to a nomination, the other evinced a willingness to be wooed to its acceptance. All such statements or insinuations are without colour of truth, and are the offspring of party fraud or personal malice.

I had hoped that upon full consideration, the convention of the 4th August would have adjourned without nominating candidates for office, yet when, upon mature reflection, it was determined that candidates should be presented, heavy as is the responsibility it has cast upon me, the distinction conferred merits and receives my warmest gratitude.

Whatever may have been said by public journals concerning the motives by which some of that convention may have been governed, I well know that the majority of its members are citizens of pure lives and honest hearts -- friends who would gladly have spared me the embarrassment which they foresaw that this nomination, when connected with that of a former day, would throw around me; most of whom were not informed as to the situation in which I was placed in relation to the candidate already before the people, but who, in bestowing this distinguished mark of their confidence, were governed by feelings and by motives alike honorable to them and gratifying to me.

Both nominations have been conferred without my consent, neither has yet been accepted, nor have I hitherto rejected either, and in coming to a determination upon this question I have endeavoured to learn my duty to both parties, and also what is due to political faith and personal honor.

The embarrassments created by the first nomination, and they are not few, have borne less upon me, than has the circumstance that my name had been used by my friends in the convention of the 23d of July, for the highest office, and that whatever may have been my pretensions to that station they had been over-ruled in favour of one of acknowledged talents, of long experience and of unsullied virtue.

Professing not to belong to that school of politics in which success is honour, no matter by which (what) means it may have been secured, and believing that political fidelity and private worth are inseparable in the same bosom, I cannot reconcile to my own sense of delicacy and of duty, the assumption of a station, where I must conflict with one towards whom I am thus situated. In accepting this nomination, under existing circumstances, I should feel that my motives might well be suspected, and that my conduct would justly excite that never slumbering jealousy, which, in a free government, must ever stand as the watch-tower of liberty, to give warning to the presumptuous and to arrest the career of unchastened ambition.

Having thus stated the prominent reasons flowing from political and personal considerations, which compel me to decline the proffered nomination, I proceed to those, which, in my views, should prevent its acceptance, in reference solely to the cause for which you are contending.

The work in which you are engaged is one of no ordinary character. Hitherto you have advanced steadily towards your object, until what was the mere assemblage of a neighborhood has become a powerful party, commanding the ability and energy for continual action. The nature of the transaction from which this party has sprung, renders it difficult for distant spectators to appreciate the motives by which you are governed, and upon this ignorance, those by whom you are opposed are constantly endeavouring to superinduce the belief, that your only desire is the possession of power, and that the rewards of office are the limits of your patriotism. Should I consent to become your candidate for governor, having been previously selected for a subordinate station, I should be pointed at, as having rendered myself obnoxious to these imputations and as ready to sacrifice integrity and honour for my own advancement. Where the causes which prompted to this nomination are understood, these charges might fall harmless, but in distant counties and in sister states, its acceptance would inflict a wound alike fatal to my character and to your prosperity

Upon this question I have acted after much reflection, and with a sincere desire to perform my duty. Should this decision meet the acceptance of those from whom has emanated this high evidence of public consideration, their continued approbation would be cherished as a proud testimonial of their confidence in the purity of my motives and would ever command the grateful remembrance of their friend and fellow citizen.

FRANCIS GRANGER.

Note 1: No reason was given, as to why Francis Granger chose to make this announcement in the columns of the 19th number of the nascent Ontario Phoenix. If Granger wished to make use of a journal published in his home county, the Ontario Repository must have then boasted of a far wider circulation and a less biased readership than the Phoenix could offer. Perhaps the hidden answer lies in the probable support that local politicians and men of influence had begun to place with W. W. Phelps' newspaper. Whatever his reasoning may have been, Granger could be assured that the major newspapers in Albany, New York City, and even Baltimore (for Washington, D. C. readers) would quickly reprint the Phoenix article. In the process, anti-masonic editor W. W. Phelps was suddenly thrust into a greater prominence than he had previously enjoyed. The high water mark of his anti-masomic career might reasonably be assigned to the remainder of 1828 and to the following ten or twelve months.

Note 2: For a brief moment or two, New York's anti-masons might have thought that Granger's not accepting the Governor's spot on the fall ticket, left them with but one possible choice -- to vote as Republicans and attempt to elect Smith Thompson Governor and Francis Granger Lieutenant Governor. But fast moving events would quickly alter that deduction -- by the re-introduction of Solomon Southwick's name into state-wide anti-masonic politics.

ANTI-MASONIC CANDIDATES.

Below, the reader will find the correspondence between the anti-masonic candidates (Messrs. Southwick and Crary,) and the committee appointed to apprise them of their nominations. Both accept; so that an independent anti-masonic ticket is now before the public.

(From the National Observer.)

In consequence of the preceding notice, (calling the meeting at Le Roy,) one of the largest meetings took place ever known in the county of Genesee, of which the following is the result:

Solomon Southwick and John Crary, esq'rs.
      Gentlemen, -- At a numerous convention of anti-masons, assembled at Le Roy from different towns in Genesee county, on Saturday the 7th of Sept. 1828 -- after deliberating upon the present situation of the anti-masonic party, as pledged to support candidates for the two highest offices in the state, wholly devoted to that cause, it being the only party at the present time deserving the support of true patriots; and as they have at Utica, on the 4th of August, erected a standard which they have pledged themselves to support; and as Francis Granger, Esq. has abandoned that standard, and left us without a rallying point, as a state party --

It was animously Resolved, That we will support that standard, and nominate a candidate for governor, independent of all existing political parties: -- also, that we will support SOLOMON SOUTHWICIK, Esq. by all honourable means in our power, at the next election, for governor; and most cordially second the nomination of JOHN CRARY, Esq. made at Utica, on the 4th of August last, for the office of lieutenant governor; and use all honourable means in our power to effect their election.

We, therefore, as a committee of that convention, would inform you of this result; and request an immediate answer of acceptance or declination.
       We are, gentlemen,
              With sentiments of due respect and esteem,
                      Your obedient servants, JOHN HASCALL,
DAVID C. MILLER,
RUFUS ROBERTSON,
ELIJAH OLMSTED,
A. P. HASCALL,   Committee.

Extracts from Mr. Southwick's Reply.

"Albany, Sept. 19th, 1828.         

To Messrs. John Hascall, David C. Miller, Rufus Robertson, Elijah Olmsted, and A. P. Hascall, committte of the Le Roy anti-masonic convention of the 7th of Sept.,1828.

"Gentlemen, -- I have this day had the honor to receive, by the hands of your worthy representative in the house of assembly, Mr. Blakesley, your letter, addressed to Mr. Crary and myself, announcing our nomination, by the convention of which you are the committee, to the offices therein mentioned."

(After alluding to his nomination in February last, by a numerous anti-masonic meeting; his address in July, in which, for the sake of producing harmony in the anti-masonic ranks, he declined that nomination; and his subsequent support in the anti-masonic nomination of the 4th August, in good faith and in conformity to the sentiments of his address, of Mr. Granger as the anti-masonic candidate for governor, -- Mr. S. adds:)

"It now appears that Mr. Granger will not accept that nomination. The consequence will be, that the party, to which I am sincerely attached, and the success of which I solemnly believe is essential to the salvation of public liberty -- of all that is dear to freemen, will not only be left without a candidate, but will be in danger of being frittered away, and totally lost, in the vortices of the old political parties, unless some other citizen be supported by it in the room of Mr. Granger.

"In this serious dilemma, in which Mr. Granger has deemed it expedient to place the party -- the only party, I hesitate not to affirm, that deserves the confidence or the attachment of the free citizens of this state; seeing, as you do, gentlemen, that there is not time to call another general anti-masonic convention; and feeling deeply, as I know you do, the importance of having a standard erected, to which those generous and disinterested friends of freedom, whose honest and patriotic views and feelings are congenial with your own, may consistently repair: In this dilemma, it seems, that you have, as well as the convention, by whose authority you act, come to the conclusion to invite me to accept of a re-nomination, as the second best measure, in your judgment, for preserving the parly unimpaired, and maintaining most effectually the just and pure principles of freedom, by which it is guided."

Under these just impressions, gentlemen I have coolly and deliberately reflected upon your request, made in behalf of the Genesee convention, assembled at Le Roy on the 7th inst.; and the result of my reflection is, that I am bound by the ties of consistency, honour and patriotism, to accede to it. I therefore cheerfully place my name at your disposal, as a candidate for the office of governor at the coming election." ...

(From the Ontario Phoenix.)

SPIRIT  OF  THE
ANTI-MASONIC  JOURNALS.

The object of anti masons, is... to dissolve and demolish an institution, stained with the blood of an innocent unoffending citizen of this "free country;" it is to perpetuate the blessings of liberty; it is to assert our dearest rights through the ballot boxes, without fear, favor, or hope of reward; it is to sustain public worth, and private virtue by public opinion, and not by swords and daggers; it is to "be just and fear not" the vengeance of a secret foe that winks at justice by day light, and cuts throats by candle light, under the blasphemous sanction of HOLINESS TO THE LORD; it is to set bounds to human speculation, that monied aristocracies may not hoard up treasures, which, in the course of time, might purchase fetters for freemen; it is to put a veto to the ungodly and covert practice of swearing men to vote for a brother of their order in preference to an honest man of equal qualifications; it is to open the channel of information without hindrance or molestation; and it is to purge our courts of justice of men, who, if not guilty of bribery, would disgrace a Jeffreys, by being bound in awful oath, to extricate a brother mason from any difficulty, "whether he be right or wrong."

We are not warring for the splendor of a day, or the revelry of a night, but for the glory of posterity; we are not seeking the fortunes of a king, -- nor augmenting the power of an emperor, but we are laboring for the honor of a nation, and, as faithful servants, we must "do or die."...

"Be just and fear not;" the cause of anti-masonry will grow with the people, and strengthen with the times. Few threw the tea overboard at Boston, but many rept the benefits, -- and have we not good reasons to anticipate as great a result? -- "Men have their exits and their entrances," and so may systems fall and rise.

Note: W. W. Phelps was prone to re-using phrases that particularly stirred his imagination. For example: "Fear not, and be just, for the kingdom is ours." His reference to "Holiness to the Lord" was to the New York Grand Chapter's scriptural motto.

We publish to day the proceedings of meeting said to have been numerously attended at the Capitol, in the city of Albany, where SOLOMON SOUTHWICK was nominated for Governor of this state. This nomination, emanating from that at Le Roy, has been approved, cordially we believe, by the Ontario, and reluctantly by the Wayne county Convention. Other counties, in town and county meetings, will indicate their approbation of the measure, and Mr. Southwick will receive the divided support of the Anti-Masonic party.

This unwelcome state of things has boon brought upon us by the cunning of Free-Masonry. It is a crisis full of perplexing interest. Both political parties have contributed their exertions to cripple and embarrass the cause of the people. They have juggled us out of a candidate for Governor. But a determination to adhere to the principles which they profess, now drives a large number of our friends into a measure of at least doubtful expediency.

The strongest suggestions of patriotism and the highest considerations of duty, united to interest the prominent men of the state against an Institution, towards which Washington pointed his warning admonitions. But these high inducements failed to influence distinguished partizans. The violated laws of the country and the unavenged blood of a murdered citizen, were not questions of sufficient importance to withdraw them from the pursuit of political honors. The road to office, obstructed by the power and influence of masonry, did not appear direct enough to appease their hopes. The people were left to oppose Free-Masonry, without the aid of the laws and unsupported by the countenance of leading men. Indeed so cautious were the prominent politicians, that none of them could be induced to identify their efforts and commit their political fortunes to the hands of men devoted to the cause of civil liberty. Political astrologers could not clearly discern the star by which they were to be conducted to the object of their ambition, and therefore refused to espouse the cause of truth and justice. Hence the embarrassments by which we are surrounded.

If, under these multiplied difficulties, the Anti-Masons incline to bestow their votes upon Mr. Southwick, though our conviction of duty will compel us to withhold our own from him, we shall by no means impugn their motives. The people are entitled to a candidate. Those Anti-Masons who believe Mr. Southwick a suitable person for Governor, act consistently and honorably in supporting him. We, too, shall vote for an Anti-Mason, according to the "strictest order of the sect." But we ask of our friends the same privilege which we accord to them - the right of exercising the elective franchise independently.


Note: Thurlow Weed provided these thoughts in his 1884 Life of Thurlow Weed: "[Many delegates at the 1828 Utica National Republican Convention] were warmly in favor of Smith Thompson, a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, of conceded ability and irreproachable character..... An Anti-Masonic paper at Canandaigua, edited by W. W. Phelps (who subsequently became a Mormon, and is now, I understand, one of Brigham Young's elders), denounced that nomination, and came out with a call for an Anti-Masonic State convention. The Anti-Masonic paper at Le Roy responded warmly... An Anti-Masonic State convention was immediately called, which met at Utica, and nominated Francis Granger of Ontario, for governor, and John Crary, of Washington County, for lieutenant-governor." -- The Albany endorsement that Weed mentions in his Sept. 23, 1828 editorial came after the events that transpired in Utica. See also Thurlow Weed's remarks in the Enquirer of March 4, 1828.

From the Batavia People's Press.

MORE MILITARY CHIEFTAINS IN THE FIELD. -- The last Ontario Phoenix, an anti-masonick paper published at Canandaigua, and edited with great spirit and ability!!! recommends general William Wadesworth, whom he says headed (not be-headed) ten thousand freemen at Le Roy on the 4th of July last, for president of the United States, and Nathaniel Elmaker, of Pennsylvania, whom he recommends as being a whig of the revolulion and a despiser of kidnappers and murderers, for the vice president, to be supported by the anti-masons. He says then they can go the whole hog. We should think they had better.

At the late Oyer and Terminer in the county of Genesee, Judge Cowen presiding, a case was noticed for trial, against the Town Clerk of Bethany, for mat-conduct in his official capacity, in returning several masons, as incompetent jurors, for no other reason than their being masons. -- Judge Cowen refused to try the case, and stated that he "was too much interested" to sit in judgment, involving the rights of brother. This speaks volumes in favor of the honesty of the judge, and of the iniquity of masonry. What! has it come to this, that an honest man dare not decide between the rights of a mason and the rights of a citizen! A Judge of our courts, declares himself incompetent to discharge his duties to community, because he is connected with a society unknown to the laws of the land. The unavoidable inferences, he had not possessed more HONOR than Masonry, he would have decided the cause according to his interest and feelings. We leave this plain and simple fact with our readers and community -- Let them determine whether they are safe when the judge and in many cases the jury are thus shackled by their obligations to masonry. A moment's reflection will convince them that they are not; and as friends to themselves and to posterity, they are bound to use every honorable means to break down the dangerous society, that has grown up among them.

Note: This is an example of a typical Lake Light article, published after Phelps left for Canandaigua.

The following letter, which was sent to the editor of the Ontario Phoenix, exhibits the craft in their true light. Their rage knows no bounds at the nomination of Mr. Southwick, arising from different motives, but generally from the deadly, undying hate they bear him, and centers to one point, which is their aim, his everlasting destruction. They know but for him the cause of anti-masonry was at best in a state of doubtful existence; and that by his talents and exertions, in a time of doubt and dread, it was materially forwarded. They hate htm, and would destroy him if they dare; but the people, we trust will not only preserve him from their vengeance, but honor him with their confidence in such a maimer, as will make the craft tremble. --   Batavia Advocate.

C-iuundaigua, Oct. 6, 1828.            

Editor of the Phoenix:
        Phelps -- Why do you support that notorious Southwick for Governor? Are you void of all reason and common sense? You surprise me; what in the world can you mean? It's foolishness, the height of foolishness to support so mean and low lived puppy as Sol Southwick for Governor of New-York! 'Tis beneath all decency and respectability. And as for you, and that infernal printing shop -- if you intend to stay in a respectable town, you must conduct yourself different in future; if not, God dam you! the hotel and carriages are as good in Cannndaigua as they were two years ago. Before Souihwick shall reign over us, he shall reign over the Demons in Hell! and the cursed anti-masonic editors shall follow Morgan, if it is to the bottomless pit!!     NO JOKE.

The above letter, post marked "Canandaigua, Oct. 7," came into our office just after our papers were off. Any comments of ours would obscure its dreadful splendor. We will only say, that we shall continue to support the "notorious Southwick" while he remains just, and oppose masonry till a kind Providence releases us from a treacherous world. And a greater than Alexander or Bonaparte, with all Europe at his heels, gleaming in steel, will not terrify us, or drive us from our duty. -- "DEATH OR VICTORY!"

Note: ...

The following is from the Ontario Phoenix, a leading anti-masonick print, published at Canandaigua. The _"patriot"_ Phelps is its editor.

"SOUTHWICK. -- It is truly gratifying to see christians of every denomination coming forward to support Solomon Southwick. They have a good reason to do so, for he has long devoted a part of his time and talents to the aid of the christian religion. Heretofore our state has lacked this "one thing needful;" and neither of the old political parties, at present, have presented candidates for governour, that care a straw for "pure and undefiled religion." Let us weigh this matter seriously."

This is the first we have heard of Solomon's conversion. Won't his excellency canonize the "patriot?"

The editor of the Ontario (N. Y.) Phoenix, says "it would be a noble act for virtuous fame," if that state were divided, to call the west part, "the State of Morgan."


Note: The American Masonick Record, and Albany Saturday Magazine of Jan. 31, 1829 also noticed this report, as humorously embellished by M. M. Noah: "A country editor says, "Do, for heaven's sake, divide the state of New-York, and call the west part the State of Morgan." "Call it," says the Ithaca Journal, "the State of Sin and Misery..."

In every bar room, in every grocery, in every gathering of people, and in almost every dwelling house, the topic of conversation is Morgan and the Masons. Hark! 'ye favored and enlightened few!' does this look like the master's oath -- "that there might not be the least track or trace of remembrance remain among men or masons of so vile and perjured a wretch." No: but it seems as if his fame was stereotyped on plates of public opinion, for the benefit of posterity. -- Ontario Phoenix.

MRS. MORGAN. -- One of the Resolves of the Dedham Convention very properly regards the unhappy situation of this amiable woman and her fatherless children, eminently entitled to public sympathies; and pledges that it will exert itself to obtain for her, by subscription, some pecuniary assistance; we trust that this pledge will be honorably redeemed; that the several delegates, on their return home will immediately set on foot the subscription in order to accomplish the object, with as much expedition as possible -- but we address ourselves not to the Delegates only, but likewise to that numerous body of patriotic Citizens whose signatures animated the Convention, in the great cause of Equal Rights. It isalso confidently hoped, that every humane man will bring the subject home to his own breast, and whatever may be his condition in life, that he will evidence the charitable sensibility of his soul, by casting in, like the poor but virtuous widow in the Gospel, his mite -- and the more so, when he reflects that by so doing, he not only contributes to alleviate in a pecuniary way the distresses of an unhappy woman, but that in this exhibition of sympathy, he pours the balm of consolation into her wounded spirit, by thus furnishing her with the best evidence possible, that she and her murdered husband are subjects of public respect and commisseration -- Boston Free Press.

---

Anti-masonic Declaration of Independence.

We have received a number of letters, enquiring when the document, which was agreed to by the seceding masons, who assembled at Le Roy on the fourth of July last, will be published, with the signatures attached to it. We can only answer, that we were on the committee of publication; but as the other members of the committee were on the spot where articles for publication were to be arranged and prepared for the press, it has not been convenient for us to take a part in the business. We regret, however, to learn from the letters we have received, that the enemy is infusing into the minds of antimasons, in different directions, suspicions that all is not fair, or the publication would long since have been made. We can assure our friends, that so far as we know any thing of the matter, there is nothing wrong in the conduct of the acting members of the publishing committee. -- They are, no doubt, able to explain satisfactorily. It is hoped, however, that the document may soon make its appearance, with the names of the signers, which will put suspicion at rest, and gratify many anxious enquires. Its appearance will, we believe, give a new spring to anti-masonry.

Note 1: At some point W. W. Phelps made the acquaintance of William Morgan's widow, Lucinda. This very likely occurred during one of his several trips to the Le Roy-Batavia area in 1828 -- or, if not then, Lucinda became one of his neighbors at Far West in 1838. What these two notable converts from anti-Masonry to Mormonism may have shared in private conversations will, of course, never be known to students of history.

Note 2: The Batavia Republican Advocate eventually published the Le Roy Convention attendees list -- which, of course, contained the name of William W. Phelps.

ANTI-MASONIC.
__________

The following is the Declaration of Independence adopted by the Seceding Masons, on the 4th of July last, together with the names of those by whom it was signed.

When men attempt to dissolve a system which has influenced and governed a part of community, and by its pretentions to antiquity, usefulness, and virtue, would demand the respect of all, it is proper to submit to the consideration of a candid and impartial world, the causes which impel them to such a course. We, seceders from the Masonic institution, availing ourselves of our natural and unalienable rights and the privileges guaranteed to us by our constitution freely to discuss the principles of our government and laws, and to expose whatever may endanger the one or impede the due administration of the other, do offer the following reasons for endeavoring to abolish the order of Free Masonry, and destroy its influence in our government.

In all arbitrary governments free iriquiry has been restricted as fatal to the principles upon which they were based. In all ages of the world tyrants have found it necessary to shackle the minds of their subjects, to enable them to control their actions; for experience ever taught that the free mind ever exerts a moral power that resists all attempts to enslave it. However forms of government heretofore have varied, the right to act and speak without a controlling power has never been permitted. Our ancestors who imbibed principles of civil and religious liberty, fled to America to escape persecution; and when Britain attempted to encroach upon the free exercise of those principles, our fathers hesitated not to dissolve their oaths of allegiance to the mother country, and declare themselves free and independent; and exulting millions of freemen yet bless their memories for the deed. A new theory of government was reduced to practice in the formation of the American republic. It involved in its structure principles of equal rights and equal privileges; and was based on the eternal foundation of public good. It protects the weak, restrains the powerful, and extends its honors and emoluments to the meritorious of every condition. It should have been the pride of every citizen to preserve this noble structure in all its beautiful symmetry and proportions. But the principle of self aggrandizement, the desire to control the destinies of others, and luxuriate in their spoils, unhappily still inhabits the human breast. Many attempts have already been made to impair the freedom of our institutions and subvert our government. But they have been met by the irresistible power of public opinion and indignation, and crushed. In the mean time the Masonic society has been silently growing among us, whose principles and operations artcalculated to subvert and destroy the great and important principles of the commonwealth. Before and during the revolutionary struggle, Masonry was but little known and practised in this country. It was lost amid the changes and confusion of the conflicting nations, and was reserved for a time of profound peace, to wind and insinuate itself into every department of government, and influence the result of almost every proceeding. Like many other attempts to overturn government and destroy the liberties of the people, it has chosen a time when the suspicions of men were asleep; and with a noiseless tread, in the darkness and silence oi" the night, has increased its strength and extended its power. Not yet content with its original powers and influence, it has of late received the aid of foreign and more arbitrary systems. With this accumulation of strength, it arrived at that formidable crisis when it bid open defiance to the laws of our country in the abduction and murder of an unoffending citizen of the republic. So wicked was this transaction, so extensive its preparation, and so opeuh justified, that it aroused the energies of an insulted people, whose exertions have opened the hidden recesses of this abode of darkness and mystery; and mankind may now view its power, its wickedness, and folly.

That it is opposed to the genius and design of this government, the spirit and precepts of our holy religion, and the welfare of society generally, will appear from the following considerations:

It exercises jurisdiction over the persons and lives of citizens of the republic.

It arrogates to itself the right of punishing its members for offences unknown to the laws of this or any other nation.

It requires the concealment of crime, and protects the guilty from punishment.

It encourages the commission of crime, by affording to the guilty facilities of escape.

It affords opportunites for the corrupt and designing to form plans against the government, and the lives and characters of individuals.

It assumes titles and dignities incompatible with a republican form of government, and enjoins an obedience to them derogatory to republican principles.

It destroys all principles of equality, by bestowing favors on its own members to the exclusion of others equally meritorious and deserving.

It creates odious aristocracies by its obligations to support the interests of its members, in preference to others of equal qualifications.

It blasphemes the name, and attempts a personification of the Great Jehovah.

It prostitutes the Sacred Scriptures to unholy purposes, to subserve its own secular and trifling concerns.

It weakens the sanctions of morality and religion, by the multiplication of profane oaths, and an immoral familiarity with religious forms and ceremonies.

It discovers in its ceremonies, an unholy commingling of divine truth with impious human inventions.

It destroys a veneration for religion and religious ordinances, by the profane use of religious forms.

It substitutes the self righteousness and ceremonies of Masonry for the vital religion and ordinances of the Gospel.

It promotes habits of idleness and intemperance, by its members neglecting their business to attend its meetings and drink its libations.

It accumulates funds at the expense of indigent persons, and to the distress of their families, too often to be dissipated in rioting and pleasure and its senseless ceremonies and exhibitions.

It contracts the sympathies of the human heart for all the unfortunate, by confining its charities to its own members; and promotes the interests of a few at the expense of the many.

An institution thus fraught with so many and great evils, is dangerous to our government and the safety of our citizens, and is unfit to exist among a free people. We, therefore, believing it. a duty we owe to God, our country, and to posterity, resolve to expose its mystery, wickedness, and tendency, to public view, and we exhort all citizens who have a love of country, and a veneration for its laws, a spirit of our holy religion, and a regard for the welfare of mankind, to aid us in the cause which we have espoused -- and appealing to Almighty God for the rectitude of our motives, we solemnly absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the masonic institution, and declare ourselves free and independent. And in support of these resolutions, our government and laws, and the safety of individuals, against the usurpations of al! secret societies and open force, and against the "vengeance" of the Masonic institution, "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." July 4, 1828.

On motion it was resolved that the declaration be adopted and signed.
Solomon Southwick, Albany    four [masonic degrees]
David Bernard, Warsaw    ten
W. W. Phelps, Canandaigua    three
... George W. Harris, Batavia    three....
Note: Although the Le Roy declaration bears no author's name, its content and style apepar to be compatible with the writings of W. W. Phelps. Compare "It blasphemes the name and attempts the personification of the Great Jehovah" with "to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge" (Moroni 10:34), and with W. W. Phelps' "Murder Will Out" editorial, reprinted in The Orleans Advocate, July 30, 1828, which speaks of a "blasphemous carricature on Jehovah"

==> Lack-a-day! wo, wo, wo to anti-masonry! bundle up your rags, Governour Southwick; and you of the Niagara Courier, roll up your editorial swaddling clothes, and trudge back to your old sphere in South Gotham! for verily, a wonderful thing hath happened -- a star is set -- the patriot Phelps is gone down from the editorial chair of the Ontario Phoenix, even unto the walks of private life!! The melancholy intelligence reached this city by the western mail of last evening, and we hasten to lay it before our readers in order that they may get their mourning apparatus under weigh as soon as possible, and assist us in bearing the load of grief necessarily attendant upon so sad a bereavement. Our readers will recollect the patriot, as the author of sundry elegant extracts, which at various times graced the columns of the last volume of the Record. We have no time to speak of him at length, and must content ourselves with quoting one of his own comprehensive phrases, with which he attempted to illustrate the character of Dr. Waterhouse, soon after the meeting of the Dedham convention -- "He was a rainbow of magnificent horrour, spanning the divine dead sea of blood and thunder!" But he's gone, -- so weep 'Squire Hopkins -- Governour Granger, weep! and "let the heavens be hung with black."

THE  MORGAN  CONSPIRACY.

The proceedings in relation to this subject at the court of General Sessions of the Peace which was held in this village during the last week, were of a most interesting character.

On Tuesday morning the 19th ult., Mr. Whiting, the district attorney, and Mr. Spencer, the special commissioner, produced the opinion of the supreme court, upon the case, which had, been reserved for their advice, on the trial of Eli Bruce, in which the objections to the jurisdiction of the general sessions of Ontario were, overruled, and that court was advised to render judgment against the defendant. At the instance of one of the counsel for the defendant, the motion for judgment was suspended. On Wednesday morning the motion was made. The special commissioner stated to the court his desire to produce a witness in aggravation of the punishment of Bruce; and called

Hiram B. Hopkins, who being sworn, testified that in September 1826. Eli Bruce was sheriff of the county of Niagara, and that the witness was his deputy. They both resided in the jail at Lockport. Some two or three weeks before the abduction of Morgan, he was informed by Bruce and others, that it was in contemplation to remove Morgan from Batavia, where he then was, directly across the country, to Lewiston, to carry him to Fort Niagara, and ultimately to put him on board a British man of war. On one particular night, six or eight days before Morgan was carried from Batavia to Canandaigua, Bruce called the witness up, from his bed, and told him that he expected Morgan immediately, and that witness must prepare a cell in the jail for his reception. A cell was pointed out for that purpose, which was the most secret and retired in the jail, and which did not communicate with any other. The witness prepared this cell accordingly; but Morgan did not arrive.

The witness was at the installation of the Charter of Royal Arch masons at Lewiston on the 14th of September and was then informed that Morgan had arrived and was confined in Fort Niagara; this was generally known among the masons assembled there.

In answer to cross interrogatories by the counsel for the defendant, he stated that he had not disclosed the facts to which he had now testified until recently, when he had communicated them to Mr. Spencer at Lockport. That he had considered himself bound by his masonic obligations, not to disclose them, until his own reflections had satisfied him that he had no right to withhold them. That he had been unhappy ever since the occurrence, and found no peace of mind until he had, revealed it.

On Saturday night, after the trial of Whitney and Gillis was concluded, the court proceeded to pass judgment on Eli Bruce. We should do injustice to our own feelings, and to the universal sentiment of a crowded auditory, if we failed to characterise the remarks of Judge Howell, preceding the sentence, as one of the happiest specimens of dignified judicial eloquence, ever heard within the walls of our court house.

He then announced the sentence of the court to be, that "You, Eli Bruce, be confined in close and secure custody, in the common jail of the county of Ontario, for the term of two years and four months."

About 3 o'clock, on Thursday, P. M. the court commenced the trial of John Whitney. A mass of testimony was introduced on the part of the people...

Judge Howell then briefly charged the jury, informing them that any verdict to be valid must be rendered by 12 o'clock... The jury then returned a verdict of GUILTY against Whitney, and stated that they had not agreed as to Gillis. The court enquired whether there was any probability of their agreeing soon? To which they answered in the negative, and it being now very near 12 o'clock the jury were discharged.

The court then sentenced John Whitney to imprisonment in the county jail for one year and three months...


Note 1: The incarceration of Morgan Affair conspirators Bruce and Whitney in the Canandiagua jail must have delighted W. W. Phelps. His Ontario Phoenix frequently complained about these two notable Freemasons and the purported protection they had received, right up until their May 18, 1830 sentencing. Henceforth Phelps could enjoy the company of these two arch-villains, right in his own town. There is no evidence that he ever took the trouble to visit Eli Bruce and John Whitney, but any aggressive reporter naturally followed the criminal justice events occurring on his home turf. W. W. would have been well aware of the convicts activities in the Canandaigua cooler. -- all of which raises an interesting question: Was Phelps aware of Eli Bruce's Nov. 5, 1830 interview with Joseph Smith, Sr. in that same place? The elder Joseph Smith was confined in the jail just prior to his conversation with Mr. Bruce, and remained under lock and key for a month. It is reasonable to conclude that Phelps (ostensibly a believer in the Book of Mormon since the spring of 1830) was not only cognizant of Joseph Smith, Sr.'s presence in Canandaigua, but that he made an effort to contact the pious prisoner. There is not a word of any of this in the Phoenix, however. If W. W. Phelps spent any time with the imprisoned patriarch, he kept it a secret.

Note 2: The relevant entry in Eli Bruce's journal (transcribed by Rob Morris) reads as follows: "November 5th - ...Had a long talk with the father of the Smith, (Joseph Smith,) who, according to the old man's account, is the particular favorite of Heaven! To him Heaven has vouchsafed to reveal its mysteries; he is the herald of the latter-day glory. The old man avers that he is commissioned by God to baptize and preach this new doctrine. He says that our Bible is much abridged and deficient, that soon the Divine will is to be made known to all, as written in the new Bible, or Book of Mormon."

“GOLDEN  BIBLE.”

The greatest piece of superstition that has ever come within the sphere of our knowledge, is one which has for some time past, and still occupies the attention of a few superstitious and bigoted individuals of this quarter. It is generally known and spoken of as the "Golden Bible." -- Its proselytes give the following account of it:  In the fall of 1827, a person by the name of Joseph Smith, of Manchester, Ontario county, reported that he had been visited in a dream by the spirit of the Almighty, and informed that in a certain hill in that town, was deposited this Golden Bible, containing an ancient record of a divine nature and origin. After having been thrice thus visited, as he states, he proceeded to the spot, and after having penetrating "mother earth" a short distance, the Bible was found, together with a huge pair of Spectacles! He had been directed, however, not to let any mortal being examine them, "under no less penalty" than instant death! They were therefore nicely wrapped up, and excluded from the "vulgar gaze of poor wicked mortals!" It was said that the leaves of the Bible were plates of gold, about eight inches long, six wide, and one eighth of an inch thick, on which were engraved characters or hieroglyphics. By placing the spectacles in a hat, and looking into it, Smith could (he said so, at least,) interpret these characters.

An account of this discovery was soon circulated. The subject was almost invariably treated as it should have been -- with contempt. A few, however, believed the "golden" story, among whom was Martin Harris, an honest and industrious farmer of this town. So blindly enthusiastic was Harris, that he took some of the characters interpreted by Smith, and went in search of some one, besides the interpreter, who was learned enough to English them; but all to whom he applied (among the number was Professor Mitchell, of New-York,) happened not to be possessed of sufficient knowledge to give satisfaction! Harris returned, and set Smith to work at interpreting the Bible. He has at length performed the task, and the work is soon to be put to press in this village!! Its language and doctrines are said to be far superior to those of the Book of Life!!!

Now it appears not a little strange that there should have been deposited in this western world, and in the secluded town of Manchester, too, a record of this description: and still more so, that a person like Smith (very illiterate) should have been gifted by inspiration to find and interpret it. It should be recorded as a "new thing under the sun." It is certainly a "new thing" in the history of superstition, bigotry, inconsistency, and foolishness! It should, and it doubtless will, be treated with the neglect it merits. The public should not be imposed upon by this work, pronounced as it is, by its proselytes, to be superior in style, and more advantageous to mankind, than the Holy Bible!

The following, it is said, will be the title page of the work:

"The Book of Mormon; an account, written by the hand of Mormon upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi: --

"Wherefore it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, written to the Lamanites, which are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile; written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation; written and sealed and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed, -- to come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof -- sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by the way of the Gentile -- the interpretation thereof by the gift of God: an abridgement taken from the Book of Ether.

"Also, which is a record of the people of Jared, which were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to Heaven; which is to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel how great things the Lord hath done for their fathers: and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever: and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations. And now, if there be fault it be the mistake of men: wherefore condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgement seat of Christ. -- By JOSEPH SMITH, Junior, Author and Proprietor."

---

MRS. MORGAN.

A female subscriber wishes us to request the attendance of females in general, at the approaching celebration. She thinks it would be no more than charitable and proper that they shouldthere contribute for the alleviation of Mrs. Morgan's necessities. This exactly accords with our opinion; and notwithstanding it was expected that females would attend, we now renew the invitation, and hope they will take along a few spare coppers for the benefit of one of their sex, who has been deprived of her husband and supporter.

---

The truth will out. -- We chanced to fall in conversation with a gentleman traveller the other day, who, by the bye, we soon discovered, had been sworn to keep a secret, and we gave him a gentle hint that we knew as much of the old mystery as his honor, and remarked that "the great light of masonry was behind a dark cloud at present." Staring for some time for fear of foes, while we put on a long face, he said -- "yes; masonry in danger of being overthrown. We did wrong in the first place, but have come to the conclusion to be silent about the degrees; Bernard has told the whole story in his 'Light on Masonry' -- but we must not admit it for the honour of the craft. If it was not for the cursed antis and anti-presses we should succeed; carrying the opposition to masonry into the ballot-boxes is the flaming sword: That ruins the influence of the institution -- renders it useless to the members -- but we must cry political anti-masonry and if this fails, masonry is down. Don't you think so?" We replied "yes," just as one of our friends passed by and inquired "when will you give us Bradley's letter to the churches?" Can't tell you, sir. -- The stranger seemed confounded and after heming a spell, asked -- "do you edit the Phoenix?" -- yes, -- "well I'm done."

Ontario Phoenix.              

Note 1: It is almost a certain fact, that W. W. Phelps saw this Aug. 11, 1829 "Golden Bible" article, published in a neighboring anti-Masonic newspaper located practically withing walking distance of W. W.'s Canadaigua office -- and printed on the very same page that related an anecdote about Phelps himself. In his hurry to read that personal anecdote, W. W. may well at first have passed the Joseph Smith account by with only a cursory glance, but soon after the "the work" Freeman editor Hadley referred to had been "put to press," in Hadley's home "village," Phelps had obtained a copy of the new Book of Mormon and a subsequent report said that he "expressed himself much pleased with it." At about that same time (April, 1830) W. W. got in in touch with Palmyra's Martin Harris (who is mentioned in the "Golden Bible" piece, and whom Phelps may have already known) and was soon ordering copies of "the work" to put on sale in his Canandaigua printing office.

Note 2: The modern reader might recall that W. W. Phelps had advertised his plans to publish a book of similar proportions, on what had been his own printing press in Cortland Village, only three years earlier. Like the Book of Mormon, Phelps' envisioned early American narrative would have necessarily reviewed the unwritten history of America's first inhabitants, and would have outlined how those preColumbian tribes had been supplanted by ocean-crossing European Gentiles. Like John V. Yates' 1824 History of the State of New York, Phelps' own volume would probably have made some mention of "the Alligewi, that extraordinary race who had fortified their towns in the vicinity of the lakes," in ancient times, but had vanished before the arrival of "the first settlers on the Tioughnioga." The literate and thoughtful editor of the Cortland Courier would have been aware of Yates' report regarding "The ruins of an ancient city near Palenque," and how such archaic ruins formed the "connecting links of a great chain" of advanced civilization, which once extended from Mexico to "the south of Lake Ontario." In the weeks and months that followed, William W. Phelps came to view the Book of Mormon as supplying at least a partial confirmation of Yates' intriguing conclusion. It is not very surprising, then, that Phelps chose to communicate with Martin Harris and thus learn more of the "Golden Bible."

Note 3: An exhaustive search of old New York newspapers has, so far, failed to uncover any earlier, specific published reference to the Book of Mormon. However, the July and August 1829 issues of the Rochester paper, Paul Pry's Bulletin, make some obscure references to Joseph Smith's "Golden Bible." No contemporary sources provide any indication that Joseph Smith, Jr. was being "persecuted" as early as 1823-27 for claims regarding a gold Bible (or even for his miracle-affirming, restorationist religious views). The picture which emerges from a close study of early sources, is that Smith first began to talk in public about the gold Bible in the year 1827, and that he did not proclaim it to be a divine revelation intended for modern Christians, until 1828. For more details see Jonathan A.Hadley's 1842 letter, in which he refers back to the 1829 Palmyra Freeman piece, and calls it "first ever published about the Mormons."

(FOR THE JOURNAL.)
No. II.

Having in a former number endeavored to present the evidence of the fact that the objects of anti-masonry were exclusively political, we shall next notice the means by which it seeks to obtain those objects and their effects. And as anti-masonry professes to have in view the correction of a great moral evil, and the accomplishment of the most patriotic purposes, our readers will excuse us for the notice we shall take of the character of the agents employed to effect this pretended work of patriotism and moral reformation. And who are those agents? Are they men distinguished for their public or private worth -- for their honesty, morality or patriotism -- Nay, more -- we put the question to the conscience of every candid and intelligent man in the community, are Solomon Southwick, Thurlow Weed, W. W. Phelps and James Percival, conductors of the leading anti-masonic papers in the state, such men as in a calm and healthy state of public feeling would be thonght worthy of the respect and confidence due to honest and honorable men? -- Of the three first named we are authoissed by facts, as well as common fame, to say that they are notoriously destitute of moral character; and that the obligations of honor have no binding force on their consciences or conduct. Phelps and Percival are too ineffably stupid and brainless to be any thing else than the tools of a master, of which the latter has had half a dozen or more since he has lived in this county, to all of whom, save the Messrs. Wadsworths, he has proved recreant and treacherous; and according to his regular movement it is nearly time that he should betray them as he has done every one else that has condescended to make use of him.

The time was when some individuals here named had character, and a standing with honorable men; and would have scorned to lend themselves to so base a faction. They now stand before the public as beacons that should admonish the thoughtless and aspiring of the consequences attendant on moral delinquency and overweaning ambition. They have been well known for years to be alike destitute of public worth or private virtues; and so low had most of them sunk in character and moral standing as to be incapable, from want of influence, of disturbing the public peace howevermuch they might have been disposed to do so. Yet these are the acknowledged champions of anti-masonry, the agents whom God [see Southwick's Solemn Warning] has employed to effect a great moral and political revolution. And is it so? Ask the electors of Albany why it is that Solomon Southwick could not command votes enough to elect him to the most inconsiderable town office, and they will tell you it is because he is faithless, and not worthy to be trusted: And had you put the same question to the electors of Rochester, Batavia or Geneseo, three years ago in relation to Weed, Miller or Percival, they would have given you the same answer...

Southwick manufactured murder stories to order as a shoemaker would furnish his customers; and the trio in our own region republished them with notes and references. Every evil that affected society, either in its social, political, or religious departments, was ascribed to free-masonry, and traced to the fountain head, by the fingers of these anti-masonic worthies, with as much accuracy and godly grimace as any fortune-telling hag would unfold the mysteries of fate, by tracing the lines in a Don Quixotte's paw. If a matron's dinner pot boiled over, Southwick could at once trace the finger of masonry in it; and brothers Phelps and Percival were ready to attest to the fact: And if by chance their worthy friend and associate Hamilton, after the fatigues of an evening's lecture became surcharged with the essence of rye, Weed and Miller could determine, as if by inspiration, that it was impregnated with masonic poison....

The last number of the "Ontario Phoenix," in an article purporting to be a communication from a correspondent, contains a series of interrogatories addressed to us by name, calling upon us, in a tone of more than ordinary assurance and self-complacency, for a full, particular and explicit declaration of our sentiments on the subject of "Masonry and Anti-Masonry," and for an explanation of the views and sentiments on this subject which we expressed, (and as we supposed in language not to be misunderstood.) in our address to the public on the 8th of July last.

Before adverting to the inquiries addressed to us, the remarks by which they are preceded, and which seem to have been introduced as a sort of salvo, or for the purpose of giving those inquiries the appearance of candor and sincerity, which they do not merit, deserve a passing notice. The author of these interrogatories represents himself as entertaining the same political sentiments with our selves, and as being "one of the patrons of our paper." This, of course, we are not at liberty to question; but we may with great propriety ask, if his inquiries were dictated by the friendly feelings and disposition he would have us believe, and particularly as he says he had no reason to doubt but we should answer fully and satisfactorily, why he did not address his interrogatories directly to us, without resorting to the columns of a paper, to give them publicity, with which, or through which, the author, if he be one of our patrons, might have known we could not consent to enter into a controversy, in any shape, for any purpose or under any circumstances?

The object and character of these inquiries and of the incidental observationg which accompany them, deserve attention. It cannot be concealed or disguised that, notwithstanding their apparent gravity and candor, their real object is to engage us in a controversy on the subject of "Masonry and Anti-Masonry;'' and, if possible, to procure from us a virtual, if not an acknowledged, abandonment of the determination which has hitherto governed us, not to suffer ourselves or our paper to become involved in the unfortunate and perhaps interminable agitations which have so long disturbed the peace and good order of this community, and which, it is to be feared, may essentially and permanently affect its welfare and prosperity. --

While we have ever treated the high-handed and merciless outrage which gave rise to these agitations with that marked severity and unsparing reprobation which it merited, and have openly and severely reproved the conduct of those who, by word or deed, gave it their sanction or approval, we are at the same time free and proud to acknowledge that we have not suffered ourselves to engage in an unjust, intemperate and indiscriminate system of proscription, the consequences of which to the community may prove as disastrous as the wanton and unpardonable violations of which we all so justly complain. For the institution of Alasonry, we repeat what we observed on a former occasion, we have neither partiality nor respect. From the developments which have recently been made -- and aside from them we pretend to know nothing of Masonry, its principles, obligations or ceremonies -- we do not believe it presents any claim to public countenance or approbation, and we certainly should hold in but light estimation the individual who should, at this day, connect himself with it. In thus entering our protest against the institution of Masonry and all attempts to sustain the crumbling fabric, we must not be understood as condemning or even censuring, on that account, those who joined the institution when fellowship with Masons was considered not only honorable, but a mark of enviable distinction, and when Masonry commanded the homage of exalted talents, was honored with the approbation and countenance of the purest virtue, and was defined the worthy associate of morality and religion. It never has been, and we apprehend will not now be denied, that Masons generally are, to say the least, peaceable and useful members of society; that they discharge all the civil, personal and relative duties of life with as much fidelity as those whose moral perceptions and sense of duty have not been blinded or impaired by connexion with the institution, and that in general they are active, useful and patriotic citizens. Is it not then, we ask, unwise -- nay, more -- is it not unjust, and does it not involve a palpable absurdity that we should denounce as unworthy of public countenance, confidence or support, the very same individuals in whom we do not hesitate to repose unlimited confidence in the most important transactions of life? Is it not ridiculous inconsistency and unpardonable persecution to attempt to disfranchise and to cut off from the most valuable privileges of free citizens, the very same individuals with whom we would not hesitate to confide the inost important interests relating to ourselves, and, who we are proud to rank among our friends.

The legitimate objects of Anti-Masonry we apprehend to be, the punishment of those who have participated in the violation of tfce laws in the defence and for the protecthm of Masonry, and who have, in any degree, sanctioned or approved that violation; and also, to give such a direction to public sentiment and opinion, as shall eventually lead to the dissolution of an association generally acknowledged to be useless. This can never be effected by violence or persecution. It must be the work of time, of reflection, and of calm and dispassionate, but firm and dignified opposition. -- The injudicious zeal and indiscriminate proscription in which many individuals are disposed to indulge, has done and is now doing infinitely more to perpetuate the instiution of Masonry among us, than every thing it would be in the power of the craft themselves to effect. If Masonry be indeed a dangerous institution, those who join in the at tempt to effect its utter and immediate extermination, by an indiscriminate proscription of all those who are connected with it, must take the responability of having given it a permanency, strength and popularity, which it could not have derived from any other source, or acquired through any other means.

The inquiries addressed to us are respectable in point of numbers, if in nothing else -- ammounting to between twenty and thirty, and filling nearly the column of a newspaper. Most of them, however, are perfectly gratuitous, and have not even the remotest connexion with any thing we have ever published, and could not possibly have been suggested by the article in our paper to which they purport to refer. But most of them are only gratuitous and irrelevant, but of a character which precludes the possibility of a formal and precise answer; being in some instances without point, and in others constituting a sort of inquisitorial censure, and obviously conveying, though language somewhat obscure and equivocal, rebuke and animadversion toward us, for having pursued a course calculated and intended to allay the feverish and excited state of public feeling, to which our interrogator would seem to have us contribute.

The only questions out of this catechetical mass which we feel ourselves called upon to answer, and to which we can with any propriety reply, are the following: after laying the foundation of interrogatory by putting into our mouth the assertion that " there are men of too much sagacity self respect to abandon the institution of Masonry," we are asked if we meant "that it should be inferred that those who have renounced Masonry have too little sagacity and self respect, &c." To this inquiry it would be a sufficient answer, that it calls upon us to explain and to give our interpretation of an assertion which we never made, and for which we are in no measure responsible. Such language was never used by us, either on the occasion alluded to, or at any other time. That which purports to be an "extract from our address, is not so in fact. Our language is garbled and perverted, and, we cannot but believe, for the deliberate purpose of misrepresentation. That this perversion and misrepresentation were intentional and not the result of oversight or accident, will obvious to any one who will refer to the address in question. The following is the extract of which the above purports to give, not only the substance, but the precise words: "There are many, and among them (Masons) some of our ablest and best men, who joined the institution from pure and patriotic motives, and who have too much sagacity and self respect voluntarily to incur the odium of having adhered to the institution, year after year, with full knowledge of its immoral and dangerous tendency, until public opinion, and not a sense of duty, called for its abandonment." Thus it will be seen that the language imputed to us conveys indiscriminate censure against all who have renounced Masonry, while that in fact used by us animadverts upon the conduct of those, and those only, who abandoned Masonry as a measure popularity, and not from a sense of duty. Our interrogator, no doubt, felt the justice of the rebuke.

But to silence all cavil, and for the purposes of this reply, we have no hesitation in meeting the question in its full length, and of repeating our assertion, even without the qualifying connexion in which it was originally made. We have no hesitation in asserting that there are men, and we trust and believe they are numerous, who have too much sagacity and self respect to abandon the institution of Masonry solely from motives of popularity, and to subject themselves to the imputation of want of sense or want of honesty: for we would ask what claim to sagacity, or even common sense, can that man have who has been a member of Masonic institution for fifteen or twenty years, and who, during that time, had participated in its ceremonies and studied aud practiced its principles, without ever having dreamt that the former were childish and ridiculous and the latter dangerous to the purity of private and public morals or to the peace and safety of society? What claim to sagacity has that man who could assume the obligations which the several degrees of Masonry impose, with full opportunities for examination and reflection, without its ever having occurred to him that those obligations were inconsistent with the rightful discharge of the social, moral and relative duties of life; that they impair the superior obligations due to the community at large, and that in their assumption he pledged himself, should be necessary, to trample upon the laws of man, and to violate the positiveinterdiction of heaven? What claim to sagacity has that man who can from time to time, voluntarily utter and solemnly and deliberately repeat the horrid and revolting imprecations, called Masonic oaths, under the firm conviction that they were of binding force, and without ever reflecting that they were disgustingly profane and criminally blasphemous? What claim to sagacity has that man who has passed year after year in close and intimate association with Masons, with the best possible opportunities of witnessing the practical effect of their principles upon their lives and conduct, without having discovered that the necessary and inevitable tendency of those principles was to deprave the morals and corrupt the integrity of those who profess and practice them -- and to render them utterly unworthy of private esteem or public confluence? -- Or if the charitable, though somewhat humiliating apology, to be found in a wanted acuteness and sagacity, is not accepted, we may then ask what degree of self respect does that man evince who, with full knowledge of the corrupt and dangerous tendency of the principles and practices of Freemasonry, well knowing that it renders its members faithless, treacherous and abandoned, incapable of discharging the duties of good citizens and unworthy of the enjoyment of the ordinary privileges of freemen, does not hesitate to practice himself and inculcate in others the same dangerons and corrupting principles, and unite, on terms of even more than fraternal fondness and attachment, with the very same faithless, treacherous and abandoned individuals, without ever pretending to renounce the former or to dissolve connexion with the latter? What claim has that man to self respect, or to the respect of others, whose moral feeling is governed solely by public sentiment, and who judges of his duty by no other standard than its popularity. While we admit that there may be some exceptions, we believe we are justified in asserting that a large proportion of the individuals who have renounced Masonry, have done so solely because it was _unpopular_ to continue the connexion, and not from a consciencious sense of duty. Such we know to be the opinion generally entertained of them, and the Anti-masonic party very properly consider such individuals as intruders among them, and as actuated by sinister and personal views. In what we have said above as to the nature of Masonic ceremonies and the tendency of Masonic principals and obligations, we have, in substance, adopted the language of those who have renounced Masonry without pretending to vouch for its accuracy.

The next and only remaining question that ourselves [are] called upon to answer is to state what we consider genuine Anti-masonry to consist?" Altnough we have answered this question in the general observations we have submitted above, still we will be as explicit as our use of language will enable us. We consider genuine anti-masonry to consist, in the first place in an [explicit] and undisguised reprobation of the outrage committed on the person of WILLIAM MORGAN, and a determination to use every practicable effort to uncover the perpetrators and bring them to punishment. We consider genuine Anti-masonry, in the second place, to consist in openly discountancing, and in severely and unsparingly censoring those who, by word or deed, justify, sanction or approve of that outrage, and in refusing to confer upon, them any office of trust, honor or emolation. We consider genuine Anti-masonry, in the third place, to consist in the adoption of the best [effort] to enlighten and correct public opinion on the object of Masonry, and in the pursuit of such a course towards Masons as will be most likely to result in the general adoption of measures, which will [lead] to a final and general abandonment of the institution. Nothing is more certain than that this [never] can be effected by the odious practice of individual renunciations, which are very properly looked upon with suspicion and distrust, nor by unwise and futile attempts to coerce Masons.

Such from the beginning have been our views, and as yet we have seen no reason for changing them. We been thus particular, because we are anxious not to be misunderstood on a subject of such deep and general interest.

In expressing a hope that our frankness on this occasion will save us the necessity of again resuming the discussion of this subject, we may be permitted to remark, that we by no means consider it our duty to answer the inquiries of every anonymous scribbler who may choose to allude to us.

"SAP BOILER," in the last Ontario Phoenix, has again moistened that paper with a column or two of the sap with which he abounds, on the subject of masonry and anti-masonry, addressed personally to us. By a reference to our reply of last week we apprehend he will find both himself and his remarks effectually disposed of; and we would particularly recommend to his attention the admonition contained in the closing paragraph of that reply.

Having thus far withheld ourselves from a controversy which has hitherto been conducted with unmingled bitterness and acrimony, we cannot now consent, notwithstanding the importanity with which the invitation is urged upon us, to engage in a discussion which could neither interest or inform our readers, nor result in advantage to the public. Our views we have frankly avowed and published, and the course hitherto pursued by us is before the public. In reiterating our adherence to the former, and our firm resolve to continue the latter, we need not repeat our confident reliance that we shall be sustained by the justice and good sense of this whole community.

SELECTED  ITEMS.

==> Timothy Clapp Judas Strong, of the "Anti-Masonic Telegraph," intimates that he will have to pull up stakes if the Antis don't pay up for their newspapers. These "Murder and Treason"editors appear to be hard run about these days; their subscribers, in a general way, only take the papers to encourage the printer -- never thought of being called on to pay.

The "New-Jerusalem Reflector" states that the building of the TEMPLE OF NEPHI is to be commenced about the beginning of the first year of the Millenium. Thousands are already flocking to the standard of Joseph the Prophet. The Book of Mormon is expected to astonish the natives!!...

==> Governor Frank Granger, as Noah used to call our friend of Ontario County, has finally made up his mind to settle the ackward dilemma growing out of the "twin letters," by running for the Anti-Masonic Member of the Assembly. We hope he won't back out again.

Note 1: It is interesting to see how Palmyra Reflector editor Abner Cole wedged his tidbit of Mormon Temple news between items having to do with the then current anti-Masonic movement. Strong's paper was indeed quickly closed down -- and so few copies survive that there is no way of knowing whether he made frequent mention of W. W. Phelps and the Ontario Phoenix. As for "Governor" Frank Granger, his original dilemma was solved on Sept. 3, 1828, with his initial rejection of the anti-Masonic nomination for New York Governor (announced in the columns of the Ontario Phoenix). However, with Martin Van Buren's March 12, 1829 resignation announcement, the necessity of a special election provided Francis Granger with a second opportunity to accept anti-Masonic support in filling the vacant Governor's office.

Note 2: Of course there was no such paper as the "New-Jerusalem Reflector." Cole may have been obliquely referring to some obscure mention of Mormonism in the pages of his journalistic rival, the Palmyra Freeman (see its issue for Aug. 11th), but more likely he was inventing a fanciful name that cast local Mormonism gossip in the light of being just another anti-Masonic "newspaper." Rumors of the Mormons' planned "New Jerusalem" must have been circulating openly during this period -- in his issue for Sept. 23rd Cole said: "We understand that the Anti-Masons have declared war against the Gold Bible... We understand that Abraham Chaddock intends to build the first house in Harris' New-Jerusalem..." History does not record W. W. Phelps' 1829 reaction to the idea of building a Mormon temple in a latter day American Zion, but by the spring of 1830 that seemingly fantastical prospect was already receiving his tacit support.

THE  EDITOR'S  REFLECTIONS  ON
POLITICAL  ANTI MASORY.

The great chartcr of our liberties guarantees to every individual in the community, equal rights. By this sacred instrument, both high and low, rich and poor, are entitled to the same priviges and immunities -- while personal merit is understood to be the only passport to places of honour and profit... With regard to the "Morgan excitement" we have taken not a Iittle pains to give the subject a dispassionate investigation, and without being operated upon by the headlong zeal of a partizan, have come to the conclusion that if our limits would permit, we wouId convince every reasonable man, (office hunters excepted,) that nothing of a political stature should attach to that subject.

The abduction of Morgan was undoubtedly one of the most flagarant outrages ever committed in this section of country, unconnected with my suspicion that he (Morgan) might have been one of the conspirators himself. The mere fact of incarcerating a free citizen in the magazine of Fort Niagara, after a transportation of more than one hundred miles, against his will and consent, is a crime our Iaws cannot too severely punish, and that an honest investigation should arise in the breast of every good man, against the perpetrators, is not at all to be wondered at: it was right and proper that justice should have its course.

But notwithstanding, every freeman should be careful how he suffers his feelings to become enlisted, any farther than may serve the ends of justice.... Why is political Anti-Masonry unjust in its pretensions? Because it wishes to disenfranchise a respectable portion of our fellow-citizens simply for adifference in opinion! Is this right? Can freemen consent to such a principle? No. Where should we land, provided the sentiment should be once adopted? In anarchy or despotism? Will any portion of our fellow-citizens tamely consent to be [disenfranchised]? Let every American answer that question for himself.

The institution of Masonry is said to be an umeaning, as well as useless mummery; but even so; in that case it can surely hurt no one: but their oaths are said to be horrid; we believe that every member of each sectarian church takes upon himself what he considers a most solemn obligation, to observe and keep inviolate the rules and regulations of their respective orders: Iet them do so -- they make it a matter of conscience, and who at this enlightened day will wish to interfere with the tender consciences of his fellow-citizens....

No politics in Anti-Masonry, was the cry; but how long did it last? No longer than the few master spirits who had prepared to mount the "whirlwind and direct the storm," could feel the pulse of the unsuspecting people, and considered them ripe to serve their ambitious purposes. That mask was then thrown off and every mercenary print that could be pressed in this unhallowed CRUSADE, raised the factious shout of "ReligIon and Liberty," and with clamorous tongues demanded that political Anti-Masonry should take the field against a world in arms!!!

But who are the leaders in this holy war? Are they virtuous, honest, and unassuming men, such as the people delight to honour? -- Have they been dragged from a modest retirement for the sole purpose of governning the peopIe with wholesome laws? If so, all should be right; their numbers are but few as yet, and on their present success depends its augmentation. But should the facts prove that they are precisely the reverse of what we have just stated, an honest and indignant community will apply the constitutional remedy at the Polls. -- "We speak as unto wise men -- JUDGE YE."

---

The Niagara Courier informs us that the back-woods-men of "old Kentucky" have lateIy held a real Anti KNOCK DOWN AND DRAG OUT Convention. During the performances it was discovered that Gen. Jackson was a MASON! We think Old Hickory had better keep an eye on the gun, or those Ieather shirted gentry may mount him.

---

The Anties of Philadelphia are obliged to print "an able address" in a pamphlet form, for the want of an Anti-Masonic Press." We would call their attention to "the Palmyra Freeman" and Canandaigua "Phoenix," -- and as talents of suitable size are scarce and rare in that drab-coloured city of the Penn's, we would advise them to take the editors and all; and for fear the Poet's corner should be neglected, we will give them the "Bard of Visions" into the bargain.

Note 1: It was by no coincidence that Reflector editor Abner Cole managed to crowd a warning concerning "No politics in Anti-Masonry," a mention of the rise of Andrew Jackson as a pro-Masonic presidential candidate, the fact that anti-Masonry was not doing well in the big cities, and his desire to send Jonathan A. Hadley's Palmyra Freeman and W. W. Phelps' Ontario Phoenix far away from upstate New York, all into a single column of his miniscule newspaper! To Cole's way of thinking, all of these topics were closely inter-related. Who the local "Bard of Visions" might have been, Cole offers no clear identification (Andrew H. Hedges, in his 2002 article "The Refractory Abner Cole," concluded that it was Joseph Smith, Jr.), but in the months that followed the "Bard of Visions" title could very well have been applied to Smith's poetic convert, William Wines Phelps of Canandaigua.

Note 2: Compare Abner Cole's stance on Freemasonry with that articulated by a contemporary western New York editor, James Bogert, (in his response to W. W. Phelps et al., published in the Geneva Gazette of Aug. 26, 1829). Both journalists opposed political anti-Masonry, but they also seem to have supported what Bogart called "genuine anti-masonry" -- that is, the quest for justice in the kidnapping of William Morgan. The difficulty that both Bogert and Cole quickly ran into, was that Freemasons, beyond simply kidnapping Morgan, had obviously sought to use their clandestine influence to impede that very same quest for justice. The advocates of political anti-masonry sought to combat such hidden power through election crusades and legislation, while less radical voices (like Bogert and Cole) saw no justification for this frenzied activity. In the end, none of the three sides to the issue could claim a complete victory -- the anti-masonic excitement soon faded; the New York lodges were decimated; and "moderate" newspapermen accomplished little in their efforts to halt popular indignation over the covert influence of "secret combinations," both in politics and religion.

Ontario Phoenix magnifies results as follows:

"Last year the county of Allegany gave a Jackson majority of NEAR A THOUSAND, this year it has by NEARLY AS LARGE A VOTE elected an anti-masonic member of assembly."

By this double exageration the editor hits wide of the mark. Last year, the Jackson elector had in Allegany 1614 votes, and his opponent had 1638... But what becomes of the "Jackson majority of near a thousand last year," and the anti-masonic majority "nearly as large" this year? Like the traditions of the Phoenix, it is all a fiction. Will the editor be good enough to "disabuse the public ear on this subject;" and also inform us whether "our sister Steuben" has not this year given one thousand and thirty majority against the anti-masonic candidate for the senate? -- "Facts are stubborn things;" and the anti-republican editors will find their protracted quarrel with them, an unprofitable contest. An inyelligent community will teach them, that facts have more force than epithets.


Note: This article was reprinted in the weekly Argus of Dec. 4th

NEWS ROOM -- The Editor of the Phoenix is about opening a News Room, for his own benefit and the benefit of others; the intention of which is, to be a place for company, and of intelligence, where may be seen papers from most of the cities and counties in the state of New-York; from Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode-Island, Vermont, and Washington city, together with other publications -- the whole embracing Anti-masonry, Masonry, Religion, Temperance, Science, and Politics. To those concerned, it is meant to be a resort worthy of attention, inasmuch as it will give business men a fair opportunity of hearing much for a little, in due time. -- Canandaigua Phoenix.

Note 1: Newspaper editors of this period typically traded free issues of their papers with other publishers, resulting in what amounted to a nation-wide syndication of local and regional news stories. In producing the several papers that he edited during the 1820s and 1830s, W. W. Phelps inadvertantly revealed his own choice of reading material in the "syndicated" news items he reprinted from other sources. Some of these reprints came as second-hand stories, featured in one or another of the "exchanges" Phelps received -- but even that limited combination of physical sheets received seems to have supplied a sufficient weekly stock for his Canandaigua reading room.

Note 2: Contemporary reports do not disclose just how long Phelps kept this "News Room" open to readers. If he continued this public service for at least a year, then it is reasonable to assume that its patrons had free access to the Palmyra edition of the Book of Mormon, from mid-1830 until the closing of the establishment. W. W. said that he obtained his personal copy of the book on April 9, 1830, and his Canandiagua office was selling copies of the Mormon volume as early as the "spring" (late March to early June) of that same year.

ADDRESS OF THE CARRIER, TO THE PATRONS OF

THE  WAYNE  SENTINEL.

...While gospel thunders are abroad,
And "Church and State" is all the word;
When drum and trumpet, orthodox,
Are sounded loud to call their flocks;
When money, once "the root of evil,"
Is hoarded up to fight the d___l;
While Rigdon dipt in many waters,
Preaches Gold Bible to the loafers;
The heart grows sad and splenetic,
And man enacts the “monkey sick”...

Our task is done -- the jaded muse
Begins to fail us, and refuse
To aid us in the prosecution
Of such reform and revolution
As Morals, Church and State require,
And which Philanthropists desire.
Yet while we thank both you and Heaven,
For the small bounty you have given,
Our honest heart is quite sincere,
In wishing you -- HAPPY NEW-YEAR.

Note 1: The above extract is taken from a New Year's poem in which various characters in and around Palmyra are held up before the readers for some mild reproof, castigation, or humorous remarks. Sidney Rigdon had won no friends in the town when he preached the first "professional" Mormon sermon there. So far as history records, he never returned. The local folks appear to have been aware that he had changed his religious affiliation three or four times before joining the Mormons. Probably he was "dipt" (baptized) once as a Baptist (in 1817), again as a Campbellite (in late 1827 or early 1828), and once more as a Latter Day Saint (in Nov. of 1830).

Note 2: A probable Late 1830/Early 1831 Chronology for Sidney Rigdon:

Nov 08 ---- S. Rigdon baptized by Oliver Cowdery at Mentor, Ohio
late Nov -- S. Rigdon and Edward Partridge begin trip to New York
early Dec - S. Rigdon and Edward Partridge arrive at Manchester, New York
early Dec - S. Rigdon preaches equal authority of Bible & BoM at Palmyra
Dec 10 ---- S. Rigdon and Edward Partridge arrive at Kingdom, Seneca Co., New York
Dec 11 ---- Ed. Partridge baptized in Seneca River by Joseph Smith Jr.
Dec 15 ---- Ed. Partridge ordained an elder at Kingdon, New York
Dec 16 ---- Mormon preacher professes "Golden Bible" at Canandaigua
Dec 22 ---- Canandaigua Ontario Messenger says preacher equates Bible & Book of Mormon
Dec 24 ---- W. W. Phelps (and Rigdon??) travels from Canandaigua to Kingdon
Dec 29 ---- W. W. Phelps' Ontario Phoenix mentions Book of Mormon sales in Canandaigua
late Dec -- Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith at Canandiagua (LDS D&C 37)
late Dec -- Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith in the Colesville, area
Dec 31 ---- letter list for Manchester NY, PO -- letter waiting for Rigdon
Jan 01 ---- Palmyra Wayne Sentinel says Sidney Rigdon "Preaches Gold Bible"
Jan 02 ---- Sidney Rigdon and Joseph Smith at Fayette, New York for conference
Jan 06 ---- Lucy Mack Smith writes a letter to her brother, mentioning Ohio Mormons
Jan 15 ---- W. W. Phelps reports having a 10-hour talk with Rigdon (at Canadaigua?)

(From the Ontario Phoenix.)

JONATHAN'S  LETTER, (No. III)

Cannedaigway, Ginuwary the 31, 1800 & 30, 1.         

¶ Good Unkul Since I sent you that letter in the Feuilx last fall, I've felt so much like deth and glory, that I couldent tel at ary eend but I was aty year old -- but I gess I aint, for the nippiest gals, with there fore leg up mutton sleaves, and thare blu Jay-cropple crown bonnets, think as much ov me as I usd to ov Suky -- I am as harty as a hen on a hay-mough of wheat. As I rit tu ye -- Thro-up run behind frank Granger, til he got to the North River, and then the masons made out to throw the little feller into the I Guvenur's chair -- and he fills it about as well as a churn-dasher fills a churn, and the Regency will use im til thay have churnd all the cream ov the State, and then thay'I leeve im fur sumbody else to churn with, unles he can make great men look UP by righting Milk-a-way messages.

§2. Sence the Lockport trials, and the forgery ov the trial against elder Witherit, and the result ov the election has proved masonry to be a politikal mashine, the masons about here look for all the world like the whiffet that was trying to lap taller out of the pot, but he got a little beyond the tarve, and fell sowze into the hot taller, and he howsd out, and send off with one ear up and tother down -- legs as strait as pipe stems, yelping -- twant I -- twant I.

¶ ¶ Granny Crozeld and Jemima Wilkson Weebb and the Harlot Daily are frying wonders for hotter days, but as thay are all behind the intelligence ov the aig, as much as half a country, thay must have a great deal of split vittals on hand -- fur evry body noas that thay have singed their locks with the blaze ov their own glory, tilI thay are as black as the snow on the mountains ov Tofit.

§3. Tu be serius, unkul, I'll bet a hogset ov punkins against fore pense-happenny, that the Rejency and the masons will turn out in the ecud, jist like old Chase and his patent Plow. Old Chase yu no enugered up a patent plow to go by air, and he went out one mornin to try it in a smooth ten acre lot, which had right in the middle ov it a gret white elm 80 foot too a lim; and about 4 rods from it, a gret white oak stump 4 foot threw. He begun to plow right round, round, and the speed of his plow was so great, that the faster he went, the faster he went, and when he came to the stump the plow went right threw it, and he after it, and it shet up so quick, that it nipt off his coat tail close to the hip buttons, and on he went throwing a furror so slick that it lookt like a ring ov dirt struck out by lightnin -- and he see he was goin right threw the Gret Elem and he let go, and the plow went snuge up against a rock at the roots, and nockd it all into one peese as fine as powder, and he come up against the tree casmack, and his heels went up, and his hands lapped round the tree like a griper, and the bark begun to strip up, (fur it wass peeling time,) and it kep on till it skind out almost too the eends of the twigs, and then it begun to snap up towards the clouds, with him on for Ihe snapper -- and it snapt and snapt, and by-m-by off snapt his boots -- and it snapt, and off went his socks -- and it snapt, and off went his trowses -- and it snapt, and off went somthin else, and it snapt, and away went his tonails -- and it snapt, and snapt and kind a waved away down to the ground, and he lit upon his feet as lite as a cat, and peeled it for home, hollerin as he run in that desput half man or wo-man plight, I'm down! I'M DOWN! I'M DOWN!

§4. Tell ant I admire the western foaks, espeshily the gals, fur thay no the valley ov union, as well as yu du the cost of freedom, or the tacks ov stiddy habits. I send all my letters in the pheonix becase it saves postage, and peple tho truble ov inquirin what's in 'em.

Perspectively                                    
JONATHAN HEDDY.         

To Unkle Jo in Connecticut.


Note: Fake political "letters" frequently appeared in the newspapers of this period. The exact meaning of their peculiar contents were probably only fully decipherable by readers who were familiar with all the comings and goings of their local politicians (and of the partisan editors who reported such "news").

The anti-masonic Elucidator, urges upon anti-masons the support of Mr. Clay for president; and adds, "the election of Mr. Clay will be a glorious triumph for anti-masons!" The Ontario Phoenix, another anti-masonic paper, instead of falling in with the views of the Elucidator, alleges that some of the abductors of Morgan are the most active in getting up the Clay meetings, and that nearly half of the convention of the 11th in Ontario, were masons; and that "the man in whose desperate interest they meet is a mason."

There appears to be great discord among the Clay masons and the anti-masons, who leagued together at the last election for the purpose of breaking down the republican party. Having failed in this attempt, the allies are rapidly realizing, the fate which awaits all associations of men who have "no ground of principle to stand upon."


Note: This article was reprinted in the weekly Argus of Feb. 8th.

The Repository cautioned the public to be slow to believe, that masons kidnapped and murdered Morgan. -- Doctor Morse must have thought he was acting as a faithful watchman on the bulwarks of liberty. Four years after, the Repository gives copious inferences on the Book of Mormon. Doctor Morse must calculate that he is rendering his country a service, as all religions are tolerated by the law of the land. But in reply to whether he supports a mason for the Presidency, the Doctor says he "does not deem it of sufficient importance to merit an answer from him." The learned Doctor may hear the "truth sprang out of the ground" and say -- Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.


Note: By this time (early 1831) W. W. Phelps is beginning to sound more and more like a convert to Mormonism ("truth sprang out of the ground") and less and like a purely secular anti-Mason, with hopeful eyes set upon a state office in Albany. Why he chose to pick fights over such matters with the professedly neutral Ontario Repository remains unclear. Extant files of the Repository incomplete for this period and it is now impossible to determine what its editor was saying about the Book of Mormon, freemasonry, or the editor of the Phoenix.

ANTI-MASONIC STATE CONVENTION.

Friday morning, 10 o'clock.          

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment, in the Mayor's Court-room, when the President announced the following Committies: -- ... For the efficient organization of the Anti-masonic party -- Messrs. Clark, Reynale, Philips [sic - Phelps], Turner, Gellespie, Pringle, Payne....

Friday Afternoon 4 o'clock.          

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. The Secretary proceed to call the roll, when it appeared that 43 counties were represented by 93 delegates, as follows:

DELEGATES. ... Ontario -- James H. Woods, W. W. Phelps, Samuel Rawson... Wayne -- Myron Holley, Truman Hart....


Note 1: The "Philips" listed as being a member of the Organization Committee was actually W. W. Phelps. He corrected this spelling error when he reprinted the Journal's report on page one of his own newspaper (see the Ontario Phoenix of March 2nd).

Note 2: According to the published reports, W. W. Phelps was given only one minor committee asignment and did little else to contribute to the 1831 New York Anti-Masonic convention. Although Walter D. Bowen cites Phelps' comments regarding this particular convention as documenting the fact that "newspapers played no little role in the political turmoil between the Masonic and Anti-Masonic party," it seems that W. W. was then experiencing a decline in his own editorial popularity. His attendance at this Albany meeting appears to have been his last notable contribution to state-wide anti-Masonic activities.

IMPRISONMENT  FOR  DEBT.

We have gathered a few plain facts for publication, which fairly [illustrate] the [beauties of] imprisonment for debt...

The Ontario Phoenix states that the sheriff of that county lately committed to jail a respected widow, aged 67, for a debt she was utterly unable to pay.

To adopt the language of a cotemporary, we would ask -- "if facts like these will not [----] our legislature of the evils of imprisonment for debt, and of the propriety and [expediency] of abolishing the law requiring it, what [would it take]...


Note: In 1830-31 the New York newspapers were full of articles criticizing the old practice of jailing debtors for failing to pay small sums owed to creditors. The ostensible unpaid debt imprisonment of William Morgan, at Canandaigua in 1826, stirred up a particular resentment of the practice among the anti-Masons (like Phoenix editor Phelps and Countryman editor Hadley) and their papers continually publicized the controversy. At the time the New York Assembly was considering a bill that would end imprisonment for debt, but it did not go into effect as a law for several more months. In the meanwhile, such notable persons as Joseph Smith, Sr. and W. W. Phelps himself fell victim to the old punishment.

The Anti-Masonic State Convention, (in which we had the honor to act) was undoubtedly the ablest body of Anti-Masons which has ever convened in the State of New York. It was the democracy of the land, the hardy farners and mechanics assembled in mid-winter, to perpetuate the inestimable blessings of equal rights for the enjoyment of their posterity. It was a body of men acting in unity for public good -- "mild in manner but firm in the thing" -- and well calculated not to insult, or be insulted. It went for Anti-Masonry, and hopes for no help but the virtue of the people....


Note: The 1831 New York Convention may indeed have been "the ablest body of Anti-Masons which has ever convened in the State," but it was also a group of men who had to face the sad reality of never being able to elect their own candidates to any higher office than the Assembly in Albany. Within the next few years many of New York's anti-Masons would drift into the developing Whig Party. This was true for James H. Woods and Samuel Rawson (W. W. Phelps' fellow delegates at that convention) and may have been the case for Phelps himself -- he was evidently a closet Henry Clay supporter (and an admirer of the occasional anti-Jacksonian, John C. Calhoun).

MASONRY ITS OWN OPPONENT. -- It is a true saying, that the fraternity do more by their malignity toward anti-masons, to destroy themselves and render their institutions blame-worthy, than the united efforts of the people. Wherever anti-masonry has arisen to vindicate equal rights, there the brotherhood of free masons have invariably labored to misrepresent facts and secretly conspired to ridicule the proceedings of their fellow-citizens. Look on the spotted page of our country's history for the last four years, and behold a body of masons in one county declaring that Morgan's Book was a real catch-penny, and that he had gone. to peddIe it; in another, that Morgan was a perjured wretch, and had received the penalties of his obligations; and in a third, every mason insultingly asked, when it was asserted that the poople would rise en masse at the western outrages,"who are your rulers? Who are your Judges? Who are your sheriffs? And who are your jurors? They are masons and what can you do?" Every meeting and every convention have been trumpeted through the nation as the crazy proceedings of an infamous rabble -- as vague roarings of an uproarous mob! But when facts began to meet facts; circumstances, circumstances; and truths, truths --
"Like whirlwinds when forests were landed,
Or tempest, when naves are stranded," Then the thrice degraded order, eased off a little and cried "persecution, persecution!" Still the pestiferous blast of slander oozes out of the cavern or corruption, and lights upon the brows of the mountain, to glitter a moment before the exhilerating rays of anti-masonry, and then melt into oblivion. The hand that would wither like Jonah's goard in open day light, yet reaches in darkness to curtain its dreadful splendor!

Accordingly, when the anti-masonic, representatives of at least one million of freemen, had libuly to deliberate no measures for public good, in the capitol of the state of New York, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th days of February, 1831, the portrait of Washington was curtained as an insult to the members of the Anti-masonic State Convention, by, through, or in accordance with the meanness of some little animal, that gathered the crumbs from his master's tabIe, even down to the tobacco, for his living; or to satisfy the vengeance of some irresponsible mason, that, like Benedict Arnold the traitor, was with Washlngton and his country today, and with the king and his ruthless foes to-morrow, with all his treacherous infamy upon him!

Such is the charitable hospitality and generous policy of masons towards the people, when investigating the great question: Is virtue a secret? Such are the inducements, and temptations continually held out before a virtuous people to nerve their arms and strengthen their mind against "all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character;" and such is the principles or freemasonry, with all its pretensions to greatness, surrounded with high sounding titles, and splendid superlatives; with a Grand King here, and a Prince of Jerusalem there; with a kidnapper in the west and a forger in the east; with a murder in secret, and a priest in public; yes, such is freemasonry, with one hand in the ballot box and the other on the dagger. -- Ontario Phoenix.

(From the Ontario Phoenix.)

Lockport Trials. -- The recent disclosures at Lockport, set Masonry and its adherents before the world in their dreadful splendor. Notwithstanding there appeared an almost "organized mob" to swear a brother out of all difficulty, right or wrong, and put the laws of the land at defiance, the testimony of Messrs. Giddins and Shed (in another column) shows that every charge made by Antimasons, or set forth in the report of the Lewiston Committee, against masons or masonry, is TRUE! And the conduct of WILLIAM WILLSON, one of the Jurors, (a freemason,) who said Judge Nelson had no business to admit Giddins and Shed's evidence, whereby he stood against eleven jurymen to fufill his masonic oath, and save brother Adams from being convicted, declares, in language that he that runs may read: That a Freemason is not an impartial juror!

The first step of masons, after they kidnapped Morgan, was to deny it, and if called upon to say anything about it, "to swear they knew nothing about it." When it was proved that they kidnapped Morgan for divulging the secrets of the institution, they could swear that they carried him away -- but he "went voluntarily." Voluntarily, indeed crying murder! murder! -- hood-winked! bound with cords! a pistol held to his heart if he attempted to speak! a combination of Canadian and American masons consulting in secret, whether it was best to murder him on the spot, or exile him on board a British man-of-war, to be buried in the rough sands of the sea, a cable tow's length from the shore. Does this look like going voluntarily? Does raising money to hire Giddins to leave the country, and their insults to Mr. Shed as soon as he had sworn to the truth, appear like Morgan's going voluntarily? No! It looks as if Morgan was forced from his family and his country, for revealing the secrets of masonry -- by a secret combination, embracing prominent men in two of the most supposed civilized nations on the globe, for the express purpose of taking his life accorrding to his masonic obligations. It looks as if Mr. Shed was enticed away for fear he might swear to the truth! It looks as if they meant to lure Mr. Giddins to leave the country to keep him from divulging an act "which has no parallel in history." Such is the construction the people will put upon the testimony, and the world will draw the conclusion, that the conspirators and their abettors, are instruments of blood and perjury, wielded by the secret of freemasonry!

(From the Ontario Phoenix.)

Town Meetings. -- We rejoice for old Ontario! She has elected 11 anti-masonic Supervisors and her foes but 2! The enemy left no stones unturned that had masonry under them, but the people did as they pleased. In this town something like a dozen tickets were run against the regular ant-masonic ticket, containing mis-spelt names, antimason, mason, illegal, &c.; and in the disgraceful pickle, Mr. [Oliver] Phelps, who by the bye is (excepting isms,) a good man for the office was elected Supervisor, -- but we carried our two Justices, Town Clerk and most of the other officers.

The town of Phelps has exceeded our most sanguine expectations. With a new ("small light") Judge, and Balch's Royal Arch Republican, the spirited electors of that town have burst forth in the effulgent splendor of antimasonry, and came within 47 votes of electing an antimasonic Supervisor! Two years ago the Regency boasted of its half thousand majority in Phelps; -- but ha!

---

A speck in the North! -- The "blessed spirit'' has awakened and redeemed Old Ticonderoga! Heretofore, but one solitary elector, in this ancient town, deposited his vote for Anti-Masonry. Immediaely after the fall election, light began to dawn upon the people. It spread rapidly and our friends met and nominated a town ticket. The contest was warm, and the result glorious. The entire Anti-Masonic ticket prevailed by a majority of thirty!

N O T I C E.

Having been obliged to yield to Caesar, I appoint T. S. Channing an agent to transact all business appertaining to the Phoenix. He will therefore collect all due to the establishment, and apply them to pay debts; and all persons indebted are requested to settle as soon as possible, that matters may go on like clock-work.

W. W. PHELPS.

Lyons, April 30, 1831.       

Note 1: The story behind this odd notice by editor William W. Phelps in his Ontario Phoenix. is somewhat explained by a letter of his, also dated April 30, 1831, which appeared in the May 11th issue of the Geneva Gazette. In that text Phelps writes from the jail at "Lyons, Wayne County, N. York," saying: "While I was in Palmyra, comparing the "Book of Mormon" with the Bible, to find out the truth, and investigate the matter from public good, -- members of the church [i.e., Presbyterian Church] and pretended anti-masons, sent their foolish clerk from Canandaigua, and took me with a warrant, and obtained a judgment against me, on a balance of their account. This was done after I had engaged a passage home, having learned that my family were sick. An execution was sworn out on the spot, and I was hurried to jail in the course of the night, where I shall stay thirty days, "in durance vile," for a double purpose..."

Note 2: In an 1835 letter published in the April 1835 issue of the LDS Messenger & Advocate William W. Phelps wrote: "On the 30th of April, 1830, I was thrown into prison at Lyons, N.Y. by a couple of Presbyte[rian] traders, for a small debt, for the purpose, as I was informed, of "keeping me from joining the Mormons..." The date of Phelps' arrest, as printed in that paper, is incorrect. The "April, 1830" date printed in the Messenger & Advocate is quite obviously a typographical error; that date should read "April, 1831" (see more notes, below).

Note 3: Bruce A. Van Orden's "By That Book I Learned the Right Way to God: The Conversion of William W. Phelps" (in Regional Studies in LDS History: New York, 1992, pp. 202-213) presents a plausible analysis for what may have happened to W. W. Phelps in April and May of 1831. Van Orden says: " Following the political campaigns of the fall of 1830, in which he played a significant partisan role, W. W. Phelps' attention again turned to the Book of Mormon... By December 1830 he could stay away no longer and he sought out Joseph Smith on Christmas Eve at the home of Peter Whitmer, Sr., in nearby Fayette Township, Seneca County. Phelps came away from his encounter with the Prophet and his scribe Sidney Rigdon with mixed feelings... confused about what action he should take... In late April, while he was in Palmyra... two religiously motivated Antimasons from Canandaigua brought charges against Phelps for indebtedness... he was taken by local officials to the Wayne County seat in Lyons and put in jail... after a week, his obligations were paid and he was set free... He resigned his editorship of the Ontario Phoenix..." Probably, however, the actual Phelps' story is somewhat more complicated -- see related notes on this matter below.

Freemasonry is a malignant spirit. It takes peculiar pleasure in seeking out subjects upon which it can slake its thirst for revenge. There is nothing which calls into active exercise so many of the baser passions of human nature, as the principles of Freemasonry. It seems to be the chosen agent of the author of evil, to work out all sorts of abominations. No man can take and obey its unearthly obligations, without becoming imbued with a demoniac spirit. "And furthermore do I swear," (thus runs the oath of Knights Templars,) "that should I know of a Companion Knight's violating any part of this obligation, I will use my utmost endeavors to bring him to the strictest and most condign punishment -- and that by pointing him out to the world as a vicious and worthless vagabond -- by opposing his interests -- by deranging his business, and by transferring his character after him, wherever he may go, throughout his whole natural life."

The spirit of this obligation is displayed in the columns of the Royal Arch Daily Advertiser this morning. Mr. Phelps, the Editor of the Ontario Phoenix, a renouncing mason, has incurred the penalties denounced in the foregoing oath. He is an eccentric man, and has fallen, it would seem, into a mental delusion. This occasion is seized by the votaries of Masonry, to visit its vengeance upon a renouncing Brother! How magnanimous! How charitable!

Mark the difference between Masonry and Anti-Masonry. A few weeks since, Mr. Hovey, Editor of the Livingston Journal, a Royal Arch Mason, who, for three years, has poured torrents of calumny upon Anti-Masons, borrowed all the money he could raise in the village of Geneseo, got his political friends to endorse notes at the Bank, and ran away! All the circumstances attending the transaction wore the darkest hues of villainy. This man was one of the Pillars of Western Free-Masonry. His elopement opened a wide field for indiscriminate abuse -- but we scorned to enter it. We leave the "common receptacle of undigested scandal" to an undisturbed possession of this creditable species of political warfare.

Note 1: The Journal's anti-Masonic editor's characterization of William W. Phelps as "an eccentric man," must have been a deliberate understatement. Editor Thurlow Weed came from the same region of western New York as did Phelps and the two anti-Masons shared more than a passing acquaintance. Weed never gave much credit to his fellow editor, however -- Phelps merited but a single mention in Weed's autobiography (regarding their disagreement on the candidacy of Francis Granger). Perhaps in 1831 some of Phelps' less antagonistic associates were hopeful that he would soon see the error of his ways and abandon what Thurlow Weed called the "mental delusion" of Mormonism.

Note 2: The 1831 issue of the Albany Evening Advertiser that published the call for an application of Masonic "penalties" to Mr. Phelps has not yet been located for transcription.

An _____ damns -- The Daily Advertiser says, that their erring Royal Arch Companion Phelps, of the Ontario Phoenix, has "both damned and demeaned himself!"

Note: The quote from the Advertiser was a follow-up to that paper's pronouncements of the previous day.

Retribution. -- From the following letter of W. W. Phelps, Editor of the Ontario Phoenix, written in prison at Lyons, it would seem that he is receiving the same kind of treatment that he has for years been laboring to visit upon others. We cannot but think there is in this something of retributive justice. Indeed, in the following language he more than intimates that he has fallen a victim to the persecuting spirit of Anti-masonry! In speaking of his treatment he says, "Is this one of the principles of Anti-Masonry! If it is, save me from its ransacking scourge, for it is cruel as the grave, parting man and wife, and vaunting in the dregs of imprisonment for debt." -- The letter contains some mysterious threats which we do not understand, although we are informed there are those who do, and that steps have been taken to prevent disclosures.

                      LYONS, WAYNE COUNTY, N. YORK.
                          Done in Prison, April 30, 1831.
      I'd be an Editor, shut up in Prison,
      To learn how they punish for debt.

DEAR SIR. -- While I was in Palmyra, comparing the "Book of Mormon" with the Bible, to find out the truth, and investigate the matter from public good, --- --- --- ---, members of the church and pretended Anti-masons, sent their foolish clerk from Canandaigua, and took me with a warrant, and obtained a judgment against me, on a balance of their account. This was done after I had engaged a passage home, having learned that my family were sick. An execution was sworn out on the spot, and I was hurried to jail in the course of the night, where I shall stay thirty days, "in durance vile," for a double purpose.

But is this Religion? If it is, "O my soul, come thou not into the secret," for it is devilish. Is it Liberty? If it is, God forbid that I should enjoy it, for it is a slaughter house with prison walls, where criminals can smile with fire and food, but the debter grins without either. Is this Humanity? If it is, preserve me from it, for Hell boils over with such! Is this one of the principles of Anti-masonry? If it is, save me from its ransacking scourge, for it is cruel as the grave, parting man and wife, and vaunting in the dregs of Imprisonment for debt!

Three years have I labored for public good, and three times have I led the freemen of Old Ontario to victory. I have always meant good, and have had the name of so doing -- then for what act have I been cast into prison? Let public opinion declare! I have risked all and spent all in the cause of Anti-masonry -- my just dues are somewhat more than my debts: -- therefore, if those concerned, and who have had the benefit of my services, will take the while, and spare all, by giving me $150, which is only fifty dollars a year for three year's hard labor, they are welcome to it; otherwise I shall send a fire-brand abroad, which may light an unquenchable flame! I shall not be severed from the Ontario Phoenix by Lord ____, for nothing, nor go into it again disgraced. The people of Ontario will not suffer "CHURCH & STATE" to mix and fat federalism. They will glory in seeing what has been divided in April, scattered in November, unless I receive the meed of my merit.     Yours, &c.     W. W. PHELPS.

---

Myron Holly and J. A. Hadley have become joint proprietors of the "Lyons Countryman," by whom it will hereafter be conducted -- the former as Editor, and the latter as Publisher. Of [---- ----- ---- ] a paper interesting and useful, there can be no doubt, and it is certainly a matter of regret; that talents of so high an order should be engaged in a cause so repulsive to good feeling and honorable motive.


Note 1: In an 1835 letter published by the Mormon press, William W. Phelps wrote: "On the 30th of April, 1830, I was thrown into prison at Lyons, N.Y. by a couple of [Presbyterian] traders, for a small debt, for the purpose, as I was informed, of "keeping me from joining the Mormons" (Letter No. 6," Latter Day Saints' Messenger & Advocate, Vol. I. No. 7, April, 1835). The "April, 1830" date printed in the Mormon newspaper was obviously a typographical error; the date should have read "April, 1831." See also: Bruce A. Van Orden's "By That Book I Learned the Right Way to God: The Conversion of William W. Phelps" in Regional Studies in LDS History: New York.

Note 2: It seems rather strange that Phelps, the vaunted political Anti-Mason, should write his plea for $150 to James Bogert, editor of the antagonistic Geneva Gazette. Bogert also had some fun in juxtaposing Phelps' letter (written from Lyons) with his remarks regarding the Countryman (published at Lyons). The implication was that Phelps had fallen so far from his previous starry position in political Anti-Masonry that even his fellow partisans, Myron Holley and Jonathan A. Hadley, in the same town, would not take the trouble to bail him out of jail. Phelps' letter has more than a little theatrical shading upon it: in writing the communication he may have been both justifying and publicizing his new connection with the Mormons, at the expense of old friends who would not approve of his conversion. Apparently Phelps did raise the necessary cash (from Martin Harris?), soon left the jail, and was spared having to "send a fire-brand abroad, which may light an unquenchable flame" among the proponents of political Anti-Masonry.

Friends and fellow Citizens. -- Circumstances beyond my control, have rendered it necessary for me to relinquish my labors in this paper, -- and, in so doing, permit me to say, I do it with great reluctance. Having grown with your growth and strengthened with your strength, until victory perched upon the brow of Glory -- and your fire, glittering on the distant mountains beyond the Balkan, has become the light house of the west; it seems as if I ought to give you my right hand of fellowship. As one of you, deeply interested in the prosperity of every true friend of equal rights and possessing a warm desire for the laudable success of the laborious farmers, who worthily wield the destinies of Old Ontario, and, above all, anxious for your future welfare, that you may not sell your good name, which has cost the unremitted exertions of three years, pardon me for encouraging you, to continue steadfast in your [warfare] against "all combinations, under whatever plausible character" -- they must be conquered -- or freedom is but the mantle of some avaricious tyrant -- ready to double your [tally] of brick, and that without straw. The paper will be continued, and advocate the same glorious principles, as under my charge, -- persuading all and fearing none, -- and it has my best wishes for its success; for it would sound harsh in my ear to hear that the glory had departed.

While it has been my lot to edit the Phoenix, I have not meant to injure the innocent, or suffer the guilty to pass without their due; so that, conscientiously I can say, though I have accumulated nothing for the future comforts of life, -- I have been a faithful friend, a fearless foe!  
       Farewell.

      May 7, 1831.           W. W. PHELPS.                     

Note 1: By relinquishing his personal management of the Ontario Phoenix at the end of April, W. W. Phelps was able to stay on at the establishment as a sort of editor emeritus -- having no legal connection with the paper, while at the same time using its columns as his private mouthpiece. His "farewell" would be a drawn-out affair, taking several weeks. Reading these mid-1831 issues, the modern student of history comes away with the impression that W. W. was attempting to "have his cake and eat it," all at the same time. His connection with the paper slowly faded, but not until its readers were informed of his conversion to Mormonism and his happy (?) relocation in that sect's Missouri Zion.

Note 2: It is unclear whether Phelps wrote this editor's valedictory from a jail cell in Lyons, or from the comfort of his old office in Canandaigua. At any rate, it appears that Ontario Phoenix editor was not confined for very long and that he was back home before the end of May.

Trouble among the Anti-Masons -- persecuting each other, &c. -- The charge of Masonic abductions and persecutions which has kept political anti-masonry alive, and made this great State the scene of excitement, asperity and ill will beyond measure, is now coming home to the right source. The following shows that anti-masons have arrested and imprisoned upon a pretence of debt, one of their most active and talented Editors, W. W. Phelps, of the Ontario Phoenix, it seems that Mr. Phelps took a trip to Palmyra from a curiosity to compare "the Book of Mormon," a new discovery, with the Bible, and while there was arrested by certain persons living in Canandaigua and thrown into jail, where he must remain thirty days, leaving a sick family at home. This is something like the original arrest of Morgan for a small debt at Canandaigua; but let us hear what he says which is curious:

"Is this one of the principles of anti-masonry? If it is, save me from its ransacking scourge, for it is cruel as the grave, parting man and wife, and vaunting in the dregs of Imprisonment for Debt!

"Three years have I labored for the public good, and three times have I led the freemen of Old Ontario to victory. I have always meant good, and have had the name of so doing -- then for what act have I been cast into prison? Let public opinion declare! I have risked all and spent all in the cause of anti-masonry -- my just dues are somewhat more than my debts: -- therefore, if those concerned, and who have had the benefit of my services, will take the whole and square all, by giving me $150, which is only fifty dollars a year, for three years hard labor, they are welcome to it; otherwise I shall send a fire abroad, which may light an unquenchable flame! I shall not be severed from the Ontario Phoenix by Lord _____, for nothing, nor go into it again disgraced. The people of Ontario will not suffer "CHURCH AND STATE" to mix and fat federalism. They will glory in seeing what has been divided in April, scattered in November, unless I receive the meed of my merit."

Mr. Phelps may make himself easy; the anti-masons will give $150 and thrice that sum, rather than lose an auxiliary so valuable. But it will be asked, what is meant by the remark that old Ontario will not support Church and State for the benefit of the federal party. -- This may be explained by referring to the Albany Evening Journal, which re-publishes a paragraph recommending McLean for President, and Granger for Vice-President. We have long been satisfied that the anti-masons would not vote for Clay; -- the game, then, is to get up such candidates as the anti-masonics could vote for, leaving the strength of the state to be divided between Jackson and Clay; or if they could run in between the two candidates, destroy the electoral vote of this state, by giving it to one who is not in the field. These plans, however, cannot succeed, if they continue to arrest their editors. It may save trouble, to let the anti-masons know that this state will not be broken down in its electoral vote: it will be either Jackson or Clay; and we are willing to abide the result, and meet the conflict whenever it comes.


Note: At least one reprint cites the date of this article as "May 4, 1831," however, no mention of W. W. Phelps can be found in the Courier for that day. Nor is there any indication given as to where editor M. M. Noah received this intelligence of Phelps' incarceration. Possibly the news was first published in an Albany paper a few days earlier.

Retribution. -- From the following letter of W. W. Phelps, Editor of the Ontario Phoenix, written in prison at Lyons, it would seem that he is receiving the same kind of treatment that he has for years been laboring to visit upon others....

(reprints article from Geneva Gazette).

Singular Developments -- Trouble in the antimasonic party -- A rather curious and highly interesting account of certain matters has lately appeared from the pen of W. W. Phelps, editor of the Ontario Phoenix, an antimasonic paper published in Canandaigua. He states that while he was lately at Palmyra, whither he had gone for the important purpose of comparing the "Book of Mormon" with the Bible to find out the truth and investigate the matter for the public good, certain persons, members of the church and pretended antimasons, living at Canandaigua, caused him to be arrested for a debt and put him in jail, where he will have to stay thirty days, though his family are sick at home.

After remarking in bitter terms on the hardness of his case, &c. he speaks as follows: "Is this one of the principles of antimasonry? If it is, save me from its ransacking scourge, for it is cruel as the grave, parting man and wife, and vaunting in the dregs of Imprisonment for Debt!..."

It plainly appears from this, that there is trouble among the fraternity of antimasons in Ontario and the expression of Mr. Phelps. "that what has been divided in April will be scattered in November," would seem to indicate their downfall at the autumn election.

Mr. Phelps is one of the prominent leaders of antimasonry, and he is one of those who have damned and demeaned himself by the insinuation that the sudden death of DeWitt Clinton was heavenly punishment on him for a dark crime. -- Alb. Gaz.

W. W. Phelps, editor of the Ontario Phoenix, has recently been scurvily dealt with, if we may believe his statement, by some of his anti-masonic brethren. Travelling to Palmyra to investigate the Book of Mormon, he was arrested and placed in safe keeping in the jail at Lyons! This was an inconvenient place for an editor, and he shows that he feels the indignity intensely; and, that if his wrongs are not righted up soon, he'll make the welkin ring with his eloquence. The atlas of Ontario anti-masonry has rested on his shoulders some three years. In November next, he threatens to scatter the party to the winds, if he is not honestly dealt with before that time.

Ontario Phoenix. -- The last number of this paper contains the valedictory of its nominal editor, W. W. Phelps, who, "from circumstances beyond his control," has been "obliged to yield to Caesar." The paper he says will be continued, but on whom his editorial mantle has fallen, the public are not informed. As "reform" is now the order of the day, we trust the stockholders of the concern will adopt measures to "improve" in some respects the character of the paper. If, however, the editorial department of last week is to be taken as a fair specimen of the truth and candor which is to characterize its columns for the future, we cannot hope for a very thorough "reform" in this respect. We allude more particularly to the abuse and calumny levelled at Mr. Clay and his supporters. The assertion, that the party which seeks to elevate that gentleman to the Presidency, is a "personal faction, in the success of defeat of which no principle is in any way involved," is alike destitude of truth and decency; and must have emanated from a corrupt head, if not a depraved heart.

---

Imprisonment for Debt. -- The act passed during the last session of the legislature, on this subject, is published in to-day's paper. It goes into effect on the first of March next, and as the laws relative to the collection of debts are materially changed by it, its provisions ought to be understood by all.


Note 1: The above Ontario Repository article is one of the few which have survived from early 1831. Probably the paper had much more to say concerning the rise of Mormonism, the actions of W. W. Phelps, etc. The Phoenix's attempt to wed political anti-Masonry to an anti-Federalist/Whig platform was doomed to failure, just as much as were some editors' hopes of wedding the cause against the craft to Jacksonian principles. The early Mormons had an equally hard time with this thankless task and resorted to anti-Whiggery in Ohio and Missouri. In the end political anti-Masonry had nowhere to go but into an alliance with the Whigs and from there into a feeble existence among their successors, the Republicans. The Mormons, in 1844, abandoned all parties and ran Joseph Smith for President!

Note 2: It must be conceded that W. W. Phelps' arrest, detention and release, on the charge of his having unpaid debts, coming as it did practically simultaneously with the New York Legislature voiding that old practice, must have been one of the great coincidences of Mr. Phelps' career. His being able to surrender editorship of the Ontario Phoenix on precisely the day that his obligations under the publication of volume 3 of that paper ended, was yet another great coincidence -- as was the fact that just when Phelps was moving his family from western New York to Kirtland, a large company of his co-religionists were passing precisely through his home area, taking exactly the same route to the Ohio Mormon headquarters. However, circumstances prevented Phelps from joining the Colesville branch in their pilgrimage to the Buckeye State and he was forced to "hold over" in Canandaigua for a few days (see the Phoenix of May 18th.

Great wits jump. -- It is certainly a matter of gratitude, that the masonic papers, which, by mere accident forgot to notice the abduction of Capt. William Morgan, have had the unsuspected frankness to publish my private letter, respecting my imprisonment at Lyons. As one good turn deserves another, will these papers show the same generous spirit, by following up the custom with my address in the Phoenix of May 11? And assure the public, that, although the cabinet may find it necessary to resign, it is my province to hold over, until I have a successor appointed equal in power and glory! I cannot expect any tidings less from my brother chips.

W. W. PHELPS.                     

Note: Phelps' sarcastic show of gratitude to the pro-Masonic editors is coupled with his equally sarcastic reference to his "power and glory," a remark sure to catch the attention of his long-time political foes in Canandaigua and Palmyra. While he makes it sound as if he did not want the contents of his "private" plea for financial help to be published in the newspapers, he must have anticipated that very outcome when he mailed out copies of his letter to various recipients. It even appears likely that sent copies to the editors of pro-Masonic papers in Geneva and New York City, expecting them to publish his debtor's imprisonment plight as a timely news article. See one response to all of this, published in the Repository a few days later.

MR. CLAY AND ANTI-MASONRY.

The organs and partisans of Anti-masonry, generally, avow their determination in support of a distinct ticket in future elections, and particularly in the canvas for the presidency.... we find the following language in a late "New-York Whig," the anti-masoni daily paper recently establihed in the city of New-York: --

"...Antimasons look upon Gen. Jackson as at the head of one great section of the Masonic party, and Mr. Cay as at the head of the other; they can support neither, but will turn to some other eminent citizen, whom they can support in perfect consistency with their principles, and who will stand firmly by the constitution, the laws, the interests, and the honor of the country "

In accordance with these views, the Ontario Phoenix, a violent Anti-masonic newspaper, for which we believe the late Anti-masonic candidate for governor stands god-father, asserts that the party which seeks to elevate Mr. Clay to the presidency is "a personal faction, in the success or defeat of which no principle is in any way involved;" and that anti-masons can not be brought again to its aid. Under this impression also, Mr. Rush, of Pa., and Mr. Granger of this state, have been named as the anti-masonic candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency: Whilst it is understood that Judge Spencer of this state will run with Mr. Clay, as vice-president.

We have yet to see how far these declarations of the anti-masonic party are real; and how far they are designed to lull the "rank and file" into a false security as to the intentions of their leaders, and under the cover of these pretensions, lend their aid, directly or indirectly, to this "personal faction, in the success or defeat of which no principle is in any way involved." We shall soon know whether these pretensions are sincere or deceptive.


Note: This article was reprinted in the weekly Argus of May 27th.

Back Again. -- The Automaton editor appears again in the last Phoenix and informs the public that he shall hold over, ala-mode Jackson ministry, until a successor is appointed, who shall be "equal in power and glory!" to himself. He may safely conclude, therefore, that he is in no immediate danger of being dismissed a second time, it being, we suppose, somewhat doubtful whether another such "power and glory" editor can be found in all this region.

(the heading is missing)

[a correspondent informs Phelps] ...that as certain false reports have been circulated relating to recent transactions in which [Phelps] is concerned, calculated to shake the public confidence in the stability if not the character of the Phoenix, and eventually to operate unfavorably upon the general interest of the antimasonic party in this county, and viewing [Phelps'] consistent course as a firm and fearless champion of the cause in which [Phelps] so early engaged, and have so perseveringly and ably maintained as the best evidence that he would sanction no groundless charges which could act injuriously upon interests so dear to him as well as his political friends... respectfully request [Phelps] to state whether anything has transpired within his knowledge to justify such reports, and especially whether any unfair means have been adopted, with a view of coercing [Phelps] to relinquish his connexion with that establishment.

[In part, Phelps replies]:

"Perhaps it may be worth while, as this will be the last time that I shall communicate with my friends in this manner, to state, that, whatever unfavorable impressions may have been imbibed abroad, from the [innuendoes] contained in my private letter written at Lyons, nothing was aimed, indended, or designed to "send a fire brand" among the patriots of equal rights, who oppose "all combinations" inconsistent with the principles and derogatory to the constitution of liberty. The allusions in that letter were calculated for other purposes.... We live in an eventful day. According to the Psalmist, truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven, and as twin-angels they will sweep through the world like a mighty torrent, till mankind, untrammelled by secret bondage, sing as the sons of glory, 'we are one -- peace on earth -- virtue endures forever!'"

Secret societies, and "all combinations, under what ever plausible character," whose object is private gain, and personal distinction, must be resisted by the virtuous force of public opinion, concentrated and put in motion by the lovers of goodness, -- forming an union of honest men, organized for unconditional opposition to evil, preparatory for that great day, when the golden chain, let down from heaven, is bound round this globe, and all, purified, shall escape in fire to God!"

[W. W. PHELPS.]

Note 1: The letter responded to by W. W. Phelps was signed by J. M. Wheeler, Samuel Rawson and Henry W. Taylor and was dated "Canandaigua, May 20, 1831." Only a summary is given above, as the original newspaper clipping was not available for typescribing.

Note 2: Phelps' newly found Mormon world view shows forth quite strongly out of his last few sentences. Where he says "truth springs out of the earth," Phelps is no doubt referring to the Book of Mormon. His reference to the "union of honest men, organized for unconditional opposition to evil" is almost certainly an allusion to Joseph Smith's "Church of Christ" (see Bruce Van Orden's 1990 article "By That Book I Learned the Right Way to God," page 212).

Note 3: Although W. W. Phelps twice excused himself from any further imput into the pages of the Phoenix, he manages to give his readers one final "swan song" in the issue of Sept. 7, 1831.

It seems that Phelps, the patriotic editor of the Ontario Phoenix, has left Lyons, and it appears that he has been somewhat appeased in his wrath against his anti-masonic friends. He is undoubtedly bent on another cause; it is reported that he is hotly engaged in the investigation of one most wretched humbugs ever imposed upon the credulity of any tribe of fanatics, the golden bible of Mormon. If Phelps should live a thousand years, he will outlive the memory of anti-masonry. The following extract from a letter to the antimasonic committee at Canandaigua, will show the state of his mind.

"Man is not gifted with power to weigh the blaze of fire -- measure the gusts of wind, or call back yesterday; but he is endowed with facilities to winnow the smut of error from the wheat of truth. For thought is the fruit of the mind, and mind is a tree of life, which, when properly manured with the enlivening pearls of science, and watered by the celestal dews of virtue, cannot be destroyed by the blasting sirocco of satan -- no; it will outlive the forests of created things, and bud and bear in eternity, "when the epitaph of this world shall have been written in its ashes!"

"Truth springs out of the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven, and, as twin angels they will sweep through the world like a mighty torrent, till mankind, untrammelled by secret bondage, sing as the sons of glory, "we are one -- peace on earth -- virtue endures forever!"

"Secret societies, and "all combinations, under whatever plausible character," whose object is private gain and personal distinction, must be resisted by the viruous force of public opinion, concentrated and put in motion by the lovers of goodness -- forming an union of honest men, organized foi an unconditional opposition to evil, preparatory for that great day, when the golden chain, let down from heaven, is bound round this globe, and all, purified, shall escape in fire to God!"

Note: Compare the language of Phelps' "letter to the antimasonic committee" (in the Ontario Phoenix of May 25, 1831) along with that of his Feb. 16, 1831 Ontario Phoenix editorial and his Feb. 22, 1832 Prospectus for the Missouri "Evening and Morning Star," -- (in the Ontario Phoenix of that date) in phrases such as "truth springs out of the earth," "all combinations, under whatever plausible character," "this world," "great day," etc. --- Phelps used similar language in the Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate of Oct. 1834: "My source of learning, and my manner of life, from my youth up, will exclude me from the fashionable pleasure of staining my communications, with the fancy colors of a freshman of Dartmouth, a sophomore of Harvard, or even a graduate of Yale; nothing but the clear stream of truth will answer the purpose of men of God. With that they may glide along amid the tornadoes of persecution, and among the wrecks of departing things, "faithful friends and fearless foes," till "the cities are wasted without inhabitant and the houses without man:" yea, they may live in mansions of perfection, holily, when the epitaph of this world's vanity, may be written in its ashes!"

The following article, from the Painesville (Ohio) Telegraph of June 14, has been in type for some time, but crowded out to make room for more important intelligence. Among the number ordained as elders, and commissioned to preach the Mormon faith, we understand is the late editor and publisher of the Ontario Phoenix, W. W. Phelps, Esq....


Note: This was the first account published in newspapers, that the anti-Masonic editor, W. W. Phelps, had become a Mormon convert. The editor of the Ontario Repository probably heard of Phelps' June 10, 1831 baptism at Kirtland via a personal letter or from a some traveler. Many regional newspapers repeated this strange news. The Ithaca Journal of Aug. 24, 1831 reported that "W. W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phoenix, an anti-masonick paper, has embraced the Mormon faith, (a belief in the revelations of the golden bible) and has been ordained as an elder, and been commissioned to preach. (Phelps is much more consistent than many other anti-masonick editors: he has chosen a religion which corresponds admirably with his politicks.)" --- The Little Falls People's Friend of Aug. 25, 1831 said that "Mr. Phelps" had "become an elder & preacher among the respectable society of the Mormonites." The Friend's sarcasm was self-evident: "What a glorious compound will be formed by the amalgamation of Clayism, Anti-ism, and Mormonism!

W. W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phoenix, an anti-masonic paper, has embraced the Mormon faith, and has been ordained as an elder, and been commissioned to preach. -- Syr. Gaz.

The Masonic editors seem to be somewhat elated because Mr. W. W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phoenix, an Anti-Mason newspaper, as they are sure to designate it, has joined himself to the Mormonites, and been ordained an elder of those fanatics. Is the giving up of a rational being to the dominion of superstition, a legitimate cause for exultation? But Mr. Phelps once before in life made a mistake. He joined himself to the Masonic imposture; But he had the good sense to quit that well-organized band of ruffian[s] and cut-throats -- and we doubt not, when reason shall have resumed her mind in his mind, he will also abandon the equally false, yet far more innocent, association with which he is now joined.


Note: See also the Courier of Aug. 27, 1829. The paper's editor, Orsamus Turner, had some involvement in the William Morgan abduction. He was also acquainted with Oliver Cowdery and the Joseph Smith family of Palmyra.

Extract of a Letter from the late Editor of this paper, dated

STATE OF MISSOURI, INDEPENDENCE,         
JACKSON CO. July 23, 1831.                 

After I left Canandiagua, on the 9th of June, I went on board a canal-boat the same evening for Buffalo, where I arrived the 12th. Started for Cleaveland on the 18th. Passed from thence to Newark, 176 miles on the Ohio canal; found it superior to the Erie canal in point of better locks and wider excavation. From thence to Dayton, 101 miles, I passed through Columbus, the capital of the state, an ordinary town about as large as Geneva; and from thence to Cincinnati, 65 miles, by water, on the Miami Canal. Cincinnati is a thriving place, as large as Albany, but not so handsome. Took steam-boat for Louisville -- 165 miles -- deck passage, and was roused in the night by the cry of wood! wood! -- the common practice among southern boats to replenish the stock of fuel. Arrived at Louisville on the 25th. This is a considerable southern city, with daily newspapers, hacks, and draymen (cartmen) thick as southern musketoes; passed down 1 1/2 miles to Shippingport, (or Shavingport,) and tarried three days in wait for a passage to St. Louis. Viewed the Grand Canal round the Falls of Ohio -- a magnificent display of human skill, which cost $900,000. Three superb locks of hewn stone, the largest of which, for high water, is 60 feet wide, 43 feet deep, and 300 feet long. Saw the Franklin, a boat of the largest size, mount through in a kind of "dreadful splendor." On the 27th, left for St. Louis in the Steam-boat Don Juan. On the 29th I passed the mouth of the Ohio, where three States were in sight, in the 37th degree of north latitude, and the sun nearly over head. 30th saw-miles on the Mississippi propelled by current wheels: constructed like cider-mill screws, 100 feet long; halted at Cape Gerardeau, and saw Frenchmen using oxen to draw by the horns, lead piled up like cord wood; broke the boat wheels on Devil Island. July 1st, stopped at Genevieve, saw large quantities of lead and white sand; arrived at St. Louis same day, and quite a city, with the small pox in it. July 2d, started for the west part of Missouri, and saw in the first grave yard Roman Catholic crosses sprawled over the dead. From this time until the 14th, I passed through patches of timber, and fields of prairies till I arrived at Independence, 12 miles from the west line of the United States, containing the last, or outside post-office.

The heavy sounding boat-horns, used by the stage-drivers in Ohio, with the common term "smart," applied to every thing -- as a smart man, smart land and smart rain, &c. was nothing compared to the customs below Louisville. Men go armed with a pocket dirk, or pistol; a sixpence is called a 'piccaoon;' a shilling a 'bit,' and the word "mighty," is an indefinite adjective and qualifies all things, good, bad and indifferent -- as a mighty man, mighty land, mighty big, mighty little, mighty much, &c.

The Ohio, opposite Indiana and Illinois, is a beautiful sheet of water, quite clear, and studded with cotton-wood, sycamore, locust, &c. and streaked with steam boats from one end to the other. The Mississippi is a serpentine stream, rily below St. Louis; guarded on the west, or Missouri shore, by huge bluffs, capt ever and anon with daring shot towers. It is said to be clear above the Missouri. The Mississippi is the grand middle feeder of the Atlantic Ocean, and already steams and smokes with the commerce of nine States. The Missouri is the cap-sheaf -- it is always rily and bubbly, and receives its "mountain rise" the last of June. It is said to possess mineral qualities, among which is magnesia. An uncommon heavy shower on the night of the 4th of July raised this stream in 21 hours, 8 feet!

The state of Missouri is sui generis -- containing two-thirds rolling prairies, and the rest patches of timber. The upland, oak, hickory, walnut, &c. and the bottoms, bas wood, cotton wood, locust, coffee, bean, &c. &c. The soil especially in the western part of the state, and generally upon the prairies, is a rich black mould, bedded on clay, from 3 to 8 feet deep. The prairies are beautiful beyond description, yielding prairie grass, wild sun flowers, small flowers in great variety and color, and continually presenting, or "keeping up appearances" of a highly cultivated country without inhabitants. -- Meadow peeps o'er meadow and prairie on prairies rise, like the rolling waves on the ocean. -- Prairie pluvers, prairie hens, wild turkies, rabbits, gray squirrels, prairie dogs, wolves, rattlesnakes (the big breed,) prairie rattlesnakes, copperheads, panthers, deer, &c. go when they have a mind to and come when they please.

With the exception of some of the western counties, the state is under a remediless want of water and water privileges. Few mills are in the state, except horse ones. At the capital of Montgomery county, there are four little log huts on the summit of a dry prairie; the people live on what little rain water can be saved from the eaves. Education sings small, and few schools are kept, a common occurrence in southern and new states. No danger need be feared from secret societies, or any other. It is a great grazing country; on account of the prairie chance, cattle, horses, hogs, (which by the bye are long nosed and mean,) ans sheep raise themselves almost; corn, in good seasons does well; wheat tolerable, but nothing like York state. Cotton, sweet potatoes, wild honey, wild grapes, wild roses, straw berries, dew berries, black-berries and raspberries, are common. The milk on the bottoms is sometimes found to be poison, in which case, those using it and the cows die. The consequent diseases are, the cold plague in the spring, the ague and fever in the fall. -- The cash trade is carried on with Santa Fe, a Spanish port on the Pacific [sic], in 36 degrees north latitude, and about 900 miles distant, across the prairie, where there is not a tree. The fur trade is to the Rocky and Shining Mountains, 800 miles distant, where is said to exist a kind of frog, with hard, sharp scales, which he hoists and lowers at pleasure, and when swallowed by a snake cuts out in great agony. The weather is warmer than in York state, and when it grows cold at night with the wind from an easterly direction, depend upon a deluging rain before morning, and then it clears off hot enough to roast eggs. The inhabitants are emigrants from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, the Carolinas, &c. with customs, manners, modes of living and a climate entirely different from the northerners, and they hate yankees worse than snakes, because they have cheated them or speculated on their credulity, with so many Connecticut wooden clocks, and New England notions. The people are proverbially idle or lazy, and mostly ignorant; reckoning no body equal to themselves in many respects, and as it is a slave holding state, Japheth will make Canaan serve him, while he dwells in the tents of Shem.

I am,                         W. W. PHELPS.

Note 1: The information provided by Elder William Wines Phelps (1792-1872) in the above letter allows the construction of the following chronology: June 9, 1831: Phelps left Canandaigua. June 12: Phelps arrived in Buffalo and soon departed for Cleveland, stopping at Kirtland, Ohio along the way. June 13 to June 18: Phelps was apparently in Kirtland. June 18 or 19: Phelps left Cleveland (along with Mormons Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Martin Harris, Edward Partridge, Joseph Coe, and Algernon Sidney Gilbert) for St. Louis, stopping at Louisville along the way. July 1: Phelps was at St. Louis. July 23, 1831: Phelps was in Independence, Missouri, writing his letter -- he and the other Mormons probably arrived there about the middle of July.

Note 2: William W. Phelps was baptized a Mormon on June 16, 1831. Some writers (Larry C. Porter, etc.) show the date as "June 10, 1831," but these are in error, as Phelps was baptized only after he reached Kirtland, about June 13. He was ordained an LDS Elder by Joseph Smith, almost immediately after his baptism. According to an April 11, 1860 account in the Deseret News, Phelps first saw a copy of the Book of Mormon on April 9, 1830, shortly after Joseph Smith had formally organized his new "Church of Christ." Sidney Rigdon was in Canandaigua (where Phelps edited the Ontario Phoenix on Dec. 23 and Phelps was in Fayette on Dec. 24, 1830. It seems likely that Phelps secretly entertained Rigdon at Canadiagua, and then accompanied him back to the Whitmer home in nearby Fayette. There Phelps had his first recorded meeting with Joseph Smith on Dec. 24, 1830.

Ingratitude. -- The anti-masonic convention which nominated Deacon Taylor for the Senate, have very basely attempted to filch from phifer Phelps the merit of "leading the anti-masons of Old Ontario thrice to victory," and have bestowed it upon the Deacon. In their address they state --

"We have the best evidence that his pen (Deacon Taylor's) has exerted no small influence in producing the present favorable aspect of our cause in his own county."

The phifer, it will be recollected, has joined the Mormonites, and gone with them to the "promised land."

If he had been in this country, the convention would not have dared to make such a representation as the above!


Note: For the origin of the W. W. Phelps nickname of "phifer Phelps" see the Cortland Repository of Dec. 17, 1823.

The Evening Journal expresses its gratification at the nomination of "the patriotic editor of the Cazenovia Monitor, for clerk of Madison county, the "third editor who fearlessly took ground" for anti-masonry. It is not surprising that the political anti-masons exult in the circumstance that they can claim the third original anti-masonic editor as a co-operator in their present schemes for acquisition of political power; for the first and second, and nearly all the rest, have long since taken leave of a combination which has perverted anti-masonry, or the early and justly indignant feelings of community, to the merest personal and political purposes. David C. Miller, the first anti-masonic editor, the publisher of Morgan's disclosures, and whose office at Batavia was endangered by the threatened attack of a lawless mob, has abandoned the cause of Weed, Holley & Co., and has offered himself for re-election for clerk, in opposition to the political anti-masonic ticket. Solomon Southwick, the second editor "who fearlessly took ground," has also abandoned the cause of Weed & Co., describing them as "a self-constituted Regency" whose whole design is to conceal their true characters, and to acquire political power and consequence by pretending to be anti-masons. W. W. Phelps, the fourth of the "originals," long since denounced the politicians who had perverted anti-masonry to their personal and selfish purposes, and has become a -- mormonite! The fifth editor "who fearlessly took ground," Timothy C. Strong, offers himself this year as a candidate for clerk in opposition to the pretended regular anti-masonic ticket. It is not singular, under these circumstances, that these partizans make special proclamation of the fact that one of the originals remains with them. As to Weed's anti-masonry, it is well known, that he reviled and ridiculed this party in its early and sincere expression of feeling; and that he afterwards sought, under the folds of the anti-masonic cloak, to conceal the realities of a character, the stains upon which are of a deeper die than even those of political turpitude and delinquency.

MORMONISM -- No. VI.

Nelson, Portage Co. Nov. 14, 1831.                

REV. & DEAR SIR --

It is well known that the ostensible design of the Mormonites in settling in the western part of Missouri, is to convert the Indians to the faith of Mormonism. In this, the leaders appear to have in view, as a mode, the Jesuits of the 16th century, who established themselves in South America, by gaining an entire ascendancy over the hearts and consciences of the natives, and thereby became their masters. As Independence is the place of general rendezvous, and head-quarters of the Mormonites, it may not be amiss to notice it. It is a new Town, containing a court-house built of brick, two or three merchant stores, and fifteen or twenty dwelling houses, built mostly of logs hewed on both sides; and is situated on a handsome rise of ground, about three miles south of the Missouri river, and about twelve miles east of the dividing line between the U. S. and the Indian Reserve, and is the County seat of Jackson County. In this place, it is designed to establish the Lord's printing press, of which Wm. W. Phelps and O. Cowdery, are to have the management; and also, the Lord's storehouse, committed in charge to S. Gilbert. By the means of these two grand engines, they expect to make the wicked feel the weight of their tremendous power.... (view full article in Ohio paper)

MODERN  REVIVALS.
"By their fruits ye shall know them."

Suicide. -- A Mr. Ephraim Taylor of Phelpstown, in this county, says the Ontario Phoenix, committed suicide by hanging himself, on the 2nd inst. He was a respectable independent farmer, one of the oldest settlers in the county, and had been a member of the Methodist church for forty years. He was in a state of insanity, supposed to have been caused by religious depression.

THE EVENING & THE MORNING STAR

WILL BE PUBLISHED AT

INDEPENDENCE, JACKSON COUNTY --
STATE OF MISSOURI.

As the forerunner of the night of the end, and the messenger of the day of redemption, the Star will borrow its light from the sacred sources, and be devoted to the Revelations of God as made known to his servants by the Holy Ghost, at sundry times since the creation of man, but more especially in these last days, for the restoration of the house of Israel. We rejoice much because God has been so mindful of his Promise, as again to send into this world the Holy Ghost, whereby we are enabled to know the right way to holiness; and, furthermore, to prove all doctrines, whether they be of God or man. For there can be but one, as Christ and the Father are one. All of us know, or ought to, that our Heavenly Father, out of all the peoples which he planted on the earth, chose but one people to whom he gave his Laws, his Revelations and his Commandments, and this was Jacob his chosen and Israel his elect. All know, too, or might, that for disobedience, or not keeping his commandments to do them, God had this people carried away captive into all countries, and scattered among all nations, but promised that he would gather them and bring them again unto their own lands; Then the land should yet yield its increase, and at that time he would take away the stony heart and give them a heart of flesh, and write his law in it, that all might know from him from the least of them to the greatest of them: -- So that knowledge of him might fill the whole earth, as the waters cover the sea. At which time it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt; but The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the North, and from all the lands whither he had driven them. And it shall come to pass in the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in that day, the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Seeing these things so plainly foretold, we have great confidence in declaring to all flesh, that, not only the day but the hour is at hand for all to be fulfilled: when the earth shall be transfigured, and return to the same beauty and goodness, as at the morn of creation; when the righteous shall rise, and flow together, to inherit the earth, until the children of Israel become as numerous as the stars in the sky, or the sand upon the sea shore -- Wherefore we beseech all that have ears to hear, or eyes to see, to beware! For God, at all times, when he was about to visit the children of men for their wickedness, hath sent angels, or prophets, to warn them of what was about to take place. As before the flood he sent Enoch and Noah: before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two angels; before he took Israel out of Egypt, Moses and Aaron, and so down to the coming of our Savior; And can less be expected before the great day of the Lord? Will God neglect to blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in his holy mountain; or refuse to pour out his Spirit upon all flesh that will serve him in truth, before the wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations that forget him? No; Heaven and earth shall pass away but not a jot or tittle of his word shall ever fail. Therefore, in the fear of him, and to spread the truth among all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, this paper is sent that a wicked world may know that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer who shall come to Zion, will soon appear, unto them who look for him, the second time without sin unto salvation, to make a full end of all nations, whither he hath driven Israel, but will not make a full end of him, because he cometh to make restitution of all things which he hath spoken by the mouths of all his holy prophets since the world began.

The Book of Mormon, having already gone to world, being the fulness of the gospel to the Gentiles according to the promises of old, we know that the blessing of Joseph is near at hand. For his glory, the firstling of his bullock, and his horns, the horns of unicorns; with them he shall push the people together from the ends of the earth, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount of Zion: For in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations: wherefore it is now made known and published to the world, by the authority of the beloved Savior, that the gathering of the house of Israel hath commenced upon the land of Zion; and that the church which is called the church of Christ, is an ensign to all nations, that the children of God are returning from their long dispersion, to possess the land of their inheritance, and reign with Christ a thousand years, while Satan is bound.

We know there are many lying spirits abroad in the earth, to withstand the truth and deceive the people, but he cannot be called a disciple of the humble Jesus who doth not know the language of God from the language of man. The Savior declares: He that will not believe my words, will not believe me, that I am: and he that will not believe me, will not believe the Father which sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief. Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you, how great things the Father hath laid up for you from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief. Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, and then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you; yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel; and then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John, be unfolded in the eyes of the people. Remember when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed; and those endowed with power from on high shall do miracles by faith, and signs shall follow them that believe, until the Son of man cometh in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

To a man of God, who looks upon the world as it now is, with nation against nation; kingdom against kingdom; rumor against rumor; revolution against revolution; war against war; robber against robber; persecutor against persecutor; sharper against sharper; society against society; sect against sect; and one against another over the face of the earth -- the fear of judgment will rest upon him, and while he is silent as heaven, he will hear the groans of eternity over the corruption of the world, and, with a thrill of compassion which might jar the earth from the sides to the center, he will watch the angels receive the great command -- Go reap down the earth!

The Evening and Morning Star, besides the secret of the Lord, which is now with them that fear him, and the everlasting gospel, which must go to all nations, before the Holy One shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion, to destroy the wicked with the brightness of his coming -- will also contain whatever of truth or information that can benefit the saints of God, temporally as well as spiritually, in these last days, whether in prose or poetry, without interfering with politics, broils, or the gainsayings of the world. While some may say this paper is opposed to all combinations under whatever plausible character, others will know, that it is for an eternal union whose maker and supporter is God; thus all may be as they are, inasmuch as they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness reap the same -- but Wisdom is justified of her children.

From this Press also, may be expected as soon as wisdom directs, many sacred records, which have slept for ages.

==> Terms. -- The Star will be issued monthly on a royal. sheet quarto, at $1 a year, till it shall be deemed proper to publish it oftener. (A supplement will be published weekly, if required, containing the advertisements of Jackson county, &c.) Letters to the editor must be paid -- and subscriptions in specie or United States' bills.       W. W. PHELPS.
   February 22, 1832.


Note: In reprinting this Prospectus, in a mid-April issue, the New York Whig added these comments: "The Mormonites have found a resting place in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, whence we have received the prospectus of a newspaper from W. W. Phelps, formerly of the Ontario Phenix... It is painful to see intelligent men carried away with strange conceits. The belief of the book of Mormon is one of the strangest superstitions of the present day. Greater have been, and perhaps now are. The folly of Freemasonry divine, surpasses it in the egregiousness of the imposition practised by or upon the most intelligent and well informed minds. The delusion of the false prophet, and the gift of unknown tongues, and of the St. Simonites in France, seem to be all of the same character with this, now taking up its abode in Jackson County, Missouri." --- A version of the same article, reprinted in the Penn-Yan Enquirer of Apr, 11, 1832, called Phelps "a man of respectable talents."

A "NAIL." -- F. Cowdery is making arrangements to establish an unshackled and independent press at Albion. He will commence at early canal navigation with a new establishment, under favorable auspices.


Note: Evidently "favorable auspices" never came to editor Franklin Cowdery (the cousin of Oliver Cowdery), for he remained at Geneva for a few more months and never did start a new newspaper at Albion (the site of his previous publishing endeavor, the Newport Patriot). Both Franklin and the people who were involved in managing the Ontario Phoenix were Anti-Masons with published renunciations of "the Craft." As one of this limited circle of crusading newspaper editors, Franklin would have most certainly known the Phoenix's previous editor, William W. Phelps -- (who was, since 1831, a Mormon and close associate of Frabklin's relative Oliver).

Mormonite Newspaper. -- W. W. Phelps has commenced a "Mormonite" newspaper at Independence, Missouri, entitled "The Evening and the Morning Star." In a postscript he says: --

"From this press may be expected, as soon as wisdom directs, many sacred records which have slept for ages."

Undoubtedly. Mr. Phelps is so much under the direction of wisdom, he will doubtless make some wonderful disclosures. He is, we believe, a licensed preacher of Mormonism.

Note: Although the first issue of The Evening and the Morning Star was dated "Independence, Missouri, June, 1832," small extracts were already being circulated in March and April, in conjunction with its "Prospectus" asvertisement. W. W. may have sent a proof shee to one of his old acquaintances in Homer (which would account for the Cortland Observer noticing the new Mormon periodical in advance of many other eastern papers).

MORMONISM.

We have received a prospectus of "The Evening and Morning Star," a paper to be published at Independence, Jackson county, Missouri. It is issued under the name of W. W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phoenix, who left that paper in consequence of his conversion to the Mormon faith. Mr. Phelps is a man of respectable talents and keen wit; and we are sorry to see him carried away by this fanatical delusion. We should wish to have his talents engaged in the cause of truth rather than lost in furor and fanaticism. -- To gratify the curious, we annex a few extracts from the prospectus before us; they are full of "the sublime and the ridiculous" -- bearing evident marks of madness....

From the New York Whig.

The Mormonites have found a resting place in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, whence we have received the prospectus of a newspaper from W. W. Phelps, formerly of the Ontario Phoenix. We make a few extracts for the singularity of the thing....

(view W. W. Phelps' "Prospectus")

It is painful to see intelligent men carried away with strange conceits. The belief of the book of Mormon is one of the strangest superstitions of the present day. Greater have been, and perhaps now are. The folly of Freemasonry divine, surpasses it in the egregiousness of the imposition practised by or upon the most intelligent and well informed minds. The delusion of the false prophet, and the gift of unknown tongues, and of the St. Simonites in France, seem to be all of the same character with this, now taking up its abode in Jackson County, Missouri.

MORMONISM. -- Upon this subject, we have observed but little, passing for some time. -- Recently, however, the prospectus of a Mormon paper appeared, denominated "the Evening and the Morning Star," which will be found in another column of this paper. By that it will be seen, that the paper is to be published at Independence, Jackson county, Missouri, by Mr. William W. Phelps, late editor of the Ontario Phenix, N. Y. The eccentric views of the editor, respecting his new vocation, appear in bold relief in the prospectus.

We have been personally acquainted with Mr. Phelps for some two or three years, and with his editorial labours in the Ontario (anti-masonic) Phenix. Passing over many curious things that might be enumerated, we proceed to mention a few, which are of general information. It is well known to to many, that Mr. Phelps was one of the most zealous, and self-styled, patriotic anti-masons of his day. The Painesville Telegraph and Ontario Phenix were mutual copyists of each other's sentiments: they found an echo in each other's bosom, yea more: one seemed to regale himself with the froth of the other's mouth, then Mormonism appeared. Here the noble brothers separated; one, from circumstances, became a violent opposer of the Mormon faith -- the other for a season, was entirely silent upon the subject. Mr. Phelps was in possession of the first Mormon bible ever discovered in Canandaigua. He read it and expressed himself much pleased with it. A few days after, Martin Harris bro't a quantity of them into town, and left them at the Phenix office. From him, we first heard the marvellous pretensions of Mormonism vociferously proclaimed, at that office! Mr. Phelps continued the editorial labours of that print about a year afterward, and as he said, "led the freemen of old Ontario to victory!" At last he experienced an earnest of those prospective principles which he had most sedulously inculcated, for three long years of anxious days and sleepless nights, and which wrung from him the fearful threat, that "if he did not have his dues, he would send abroad a fire-brand, * * *" The "fire-brand" however, was smothered, & he soon migrated to the West.

Here we see Mormonism walking in, close upon the steps of political anti-masonry! How far this is the case in this section, we are not positively informed. In the state of New York, most of the Mormons that we knew were first antis. And what more natural? -- The human mind prostrated, and in ruins by a long and zealous devotion to an unnatural and sickly excitement -- one chimera follows another, often in rapid succession.

We doubt not, that Mr. Phelps is as sincere in his new faith, as he was in anti-masonry which he so often called, (we quote it with reluctance,) "the blessed spirit!"

Note 1: William Lee Perkins (1799-1882), arrived in Painesville, Ohio in 1832, from New York, and took over the management of the newly started Geauga Gazette, from its founder, Alfred Phelps. Perkins was originally from Ashford, Connecticut, where he was the first local agent of the recently established Aetna Insurance Co. He was for many years a prominent lawyer in Lake County, Ohio and was mayor of Painesville for several terms -- he also served in the State Legislature. In 1837 his law firm (Perkins & Osborn) was retained as counsel by Joseph Smith -- the partners received the strong-box of the Kirtland Bank in partial compensation for unpaid services rendered. In 1862 Perkins became the temporary owner of the Latter Day Saint Kirtland Temple. While residing in western New York in 1828, Perkins was evidently connected with Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Aetna's General Agent in Canandaigua, and the former Secretary of the recently failed Western Fire Insurance Company (W. W. Phelps appropriated this defunct company's rising phoenix trademark as his newspaper's "mascot").

Note 2: In reference to the above clipping, Dan Vogel offers these relevant comments: "As Mormonism began to grow in the Ohio Reserve, the Book of Mormon's politics became an issue in the local papers. In March 1831, Ohio's Painesville Telegraph criticized the exaggerated claim that "Mormonism is the Antimasonic religion, because all who have embraced it are antimasons." Perhaps fearing Mormonism's chance for increased popularity in the strongly anti-Masonic counties of Ohio, editor Eber D. Howe initially tried to reverse this impression by associating Mormonism with the hated Masonic institution. The Telegraph thus pointed out that there were also among the Mormons in Kirtland some "zealous masons" as well as several "republican jacks" and that the "Mormon bible was printed and sent forth to the world, from a masonic printing office.... Later, as Howe became more familiar with the contents of the Book of Mormon, he would become less resistant to Mormonism's anti-Masonic aspects. In his 1834 book, Howe observed that "the Nephites are represented as being Anti-masons and Christians, which carries with it some evidence that the writer foresaw the politics of New York in 1828-29." --- Others in Jacksonian America had arrived at the same conclusion about the Book of Mormon that Howe had reached. In his 1831 review of the Book of Mormon, the famous Reformed Baptist preacher and founder of the Disciples of Christ, Alexander Campbell, charged that Joseph Smith had brought together in his ancient history of America 'every error and almost every truth discussed in New York for the last ten years,' including 'even the question of free masonry, republican government, and the rights of man.'" ("Mormonism's 'Anti-Masonick Bible,'" JWHA Journal IX:18, cf: Max H. Parkin, "Mormon Political Involvement in Ohio," BYU Studies IX:495).