Editorial, 16–17 February 1844, Thomas Bullock Copy
Source Note
JS, Editorial, [, Hancock Co., IL, 16–17 Feb. 1844]. Version copied [17 Feb. 1844]; handwriting of and ; dockets in handwriting of and ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
reason and refinement to enforce virtue: and good for evil, are so enimently designed to cure more disorders of society than an appeal to “arms,” or even argument untempered with friendship, and the “one thing needful,” that no vision for the future: guide board for the distant; or expositor for the present, need trouble any one with what he ought to do. His own good, his family’s good; his neighbor’s good, his ’s good, and all good, seem to whisper to every person: the has told you what to do: Now do it. The Constitution expects every man will do his duty, and when he fails the law urges him; or should he do too much the same Master rebukes him. Should reason, liberty, law, light, and philanathropy now guide the destinies of with as much sincerity as has been manifested for her notoriety, or welfare; there can be no doubt that peace, prosperity, and happiness will prevail, and that future generations as well as the present one, will call a peace maker. The will, at all events and profit by the instruction: and call upon all honest men to help them cherish all the love; all the friendship; all the courtesy; all the kindly feelings and all the generosity that ought to characterize clever people, in a clever neighborhood, and leave candid men to judge which tree exhibit the best fruit, the one with the most clubs and sticks thrown into its boughs, and the grass trodden down under it; or the one with no sticks in it, some dead limbs and rank Grass growing under it; for by their signs ye can know the fruit; and by the fruit ye know the trees. Our motto then, is peace with all. If we have joy in the love of God, let us try to give a reason of that joy, which all the world cannot gainsay or resist. And may be, like, as when Paul started with recommendations to Damascus to persecute the Saints, some one who has raised his hand against us with letters to men in high places, may see a light at noon day above the brightness of the Sun, and hear the voice of Jesus saying: “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
Intelligence is sometimes the Messenger of safety: and willing to aid the in his laudable endeavors to cultivate peace and honor the laws; believing that very few <of the> citizens of will be found in the negative of such a goodly course; and considering his views a kind of manifesto, or Olive leaf, which shews there is rest for the soles of the Saints feet: we give it a place in the Neighbor, wishing it God speed, and saying, God blessgood menandgood measures, and, as it <> has been, so it will continue to be, a good city, affording a good market to a good , and let those who do not mean to try the way of [p. [3]]