The New York Herald Newspaper, January 23, 1870, Page 4

4 5 ~ POLYGAMY. | < Mass Meeting of Mormon Women in Salt Lake City. The Proposed Resistance to the Suspres- sion of Polygamy. A Host of Sister Saints Prociaim in Favor of Plurality. Their Condition Not So Bad As Represented. The Great Men of the Nation Degenerating. The Oppression of the Wformons 2 Biow at Freedom. SAL Laxe City, Jan. 13, 1970, ‘The anticipated action of Coagress lor tue suppres sion of polygamy is creating great exeitement in Salt Lake. ‘the Prophet hiaiselt, aposties, eters and bishops all openly assert that they will not obey avy law for the suppression of polygamy which Con- gress may euact. Renewed and powerful eviorts are Dow being made by the leaders to milame the minds of the masses of the Mormons aguinst the government and people of the United States. Trea- son ls preached as the command of God, Omcers of the government, civil and military, are sneered at, and the whole army of the United States is prac- tically deiied. All this 1s done, they say, in obe- dience to the mandates of the Lord. They believe that their sysiem 1s divine, that being so He ie on their side, and hence that no power on earth can finally prevail against then. T see that there is an “irreprissible conflict’? between the civilization of the age and polygamy; that all which tas been done to bulla up this earthly Zion should not go for naught, and that every effort which the Cuurch can possibly put forth muse now be made tn an attempt to save the system. * They are anxious to have Utah adgutted into the Union as a State, in order that they may elect Mormon Officers aud thus take all Mormon matters oui of the control of J have assured them that Ulan never can come intd the Union with polygany; that the goverument is determined to abolish it; aud in reply they say that ratner than submit to tue en- forcement ny law against it they will barn taeir property and shed their biood, aud ali in defence of their religion. They imagine that a powerlul dem- onstration of the women in its favor might tend to perpetuate polygamy. ‘The oid Tabernacie was this afternoon the scene of such @ aeimonsiration. A call had been made for the women to imeet en masse to denounce the Callum bill ana show how much whey loved the peculiar system. One o'clock was the hour appointed for the meet- ing, and from noon the women were weuding th way towards the Tabernacte, Wagou loads of wi with their babies, came in from the country, It was ® singular sizit to seo eome thirce thousiud Iniacw ated femules assembled to speak and vote in favor of asystem which women of finer feelings teil you is repugnant t them. There were quite a nuwber i the audience who evidently wens simp! wit the novel spectacie of this rst mass mecting of Mor Mon women; lor when the resolutions were put vo vote, although tacy were carried by a large mmority, there were many who did not raise their bands either in their favor or a tthe. The tie bas not yet arrived when women here who wre known to be opposed to polygamy leel free to give such public expression to their sentiments. One peculiur teature of the scene was the number os infants in arms, whose squalling caused a temporary interruption to the pro- ceeding&. Another was the noticeable absence of young girls—most of those who were preseut were wives and wicows—for many of the Moran Maidens of the present generation, having had an opportunity of seeing the practicdl working of the system, while they do not assume to say tuat poly- gamy is absolutely wrong, because 1 18 a part of a religion wiuch they have been edneated im, do not hesitate to say Unat it would never be ugrecabie to them. Tue meeting Was altogether aiferent trom ordinary public assemblages of ladies in this, that its purpose was to advocate not the “rignls’? of women so much as the “riguis’? of men. Sister Eliza KR, Snow, who 18 known as the Mor- Mon poetess, aud as ue of the Wives of the founder of the system, Joseph Smith, but who has been “sealed” to Brigham Young for this present life, caliea her sisidr saints to order. and nominated Sister Saral N. Kimball to preside over the meeting. Sarah, though bearing a simular surpare, is no re- lauon to Heber ©., who was srigham Young's first councillor, aud who died about a year ago. Sarab is a widow. Her husband was Killed a few years ago by ai explosion on 4 steamer on which he was @ saliing on a misston, The sisters by a stow of hands selectod Sarau Co preside. sister Lydia D. Alder was chosen secretary im a similar waver. Lydia is the wife of @ Mormon merciiant. SISTER ZINA’S SUPPLICATION. The meeting was opened by a long prayer by + Zina D. Yougy. Zina is one of brighaim's wives, She prayed that the “assembled body of sisters and daughters of Eve” might be surrounded by “divine angels, and that the Holy Ghost might dwell im each heart t sustain the cause of virtue and tnteg- Tity 11 this land of liberty that the Lord has be- queathed to the seed of Joseph im these latter Gays;” thas He would smile on tueir cause “in behalf of our beloved constitution, and of the rising genera- tion, that they may go into the worid periect, and ready to do the work whica God would delight to own and biess.’” she prayed that they might be enabled to return to bufid up Zion in Jackson connty, Mis- sour; that mau might be redeemea from the curse and women from the fall. “May Kind angels,” she said, “watch over us, and let the Just rejoice because Of the integrity of the hearts or the daughters of Zion. May the wicked ana those who seek our de- giruction Gud uo resting place in our land, but may they go to their Own piace. Let us devote every principle of our souls to this blessed organization (polygamy) wich Tuou hast permitted to be estab- Ushed again upon the earth. Bless the labors of the holy priesthood. We dedicat ourseives to thee in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.’? WISTRK SAKA KIMBALL/S OPENING ORATION, Sister Surah N. Kimbai vwuen came forward aod said:— Sisrers—I ask you to raize a secret prayer to Heaven tuat I way ve qualilied to preside over this meeting. 1 Wu! endeavor to state Its ovjects as weil as possible, We nave come together to express our fevitngs in relation to the government of the Unued States m whicu we live, ‘e are here upon wie soil of the United States. Our grandfathers fougnt in we Revolutionary war, and many O/ them sutfered and pied, Mine did; neuce | feel with you that 1 have a@rignt vo speak of the institutions of te govern- meut under which we ive. We nave thougat much sud we have suilered much. We have been driven, outcasts, almost, from the nation that gave us birtn and under whose pauner we should have been pro- teeted, and inasmucuk as we have conducted our. selves properly we should Dave been honored, liave ‘We transgressed any law of the United States of America’ l'would ask you, my sisters, Lave wer (Voices—“‘No.”’) ‘then why are we here in these Mountains to-day? Did we not leave te comforts and elegances of olviiized and enlighteved iife aud traverse the desert plains? And were we vot pre- to that driven from place io place? And why ? we arrive at mature years the question will why? The immediate object of this call nas been the introduction of a bili befure Congress— called the Culiom bill—which proposes to disin- herit the citizens of Utan Terriuory if they cling to the principles of their religion; vo take frum them every rigit of American citizens, every right that i# sacrea to man. And here i might say we have not come to defend women’s rights, as many honorabie ladies are doing throughout tue United States and other countries; but we are here to-day to advocate man’s righte—man’s rights to an inner + tance upon the soll of this United States territory. | ‘They did not allow us to ve a State. Why? This pill Would deprive not ouly our fathers, friends and sous pes We would even deprive us of the privilege of NEW YORK HERALD. SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1870.-TRIPLE SHEET. of their inheritance, and from being landowners, selecting our own husvands. Against this wo rebel. ‘This is ty feeling, and, as far as 1 jerstand, it is the feeling of the sisters around me and before me. ‘The object of tais meeting isto give expression to our feelings. We have felt a long time, and why not express our feelings? It now becomes our duty to drat resolutions expressive of the feelings of the ladies of this city. . THE COMMITTEE OF SISTER SAINTS ON RESOLUTIONS, A committee on resolutions was then selected. It consisted of Sister Margaret Smoot, one of the wives of the former Mayor. Sister Rachel Grant, one of Jededtah's widows, and who subseqacuuy married bis bruther George, from whom she nas since been separated, Sister Merinda Lyde, one of the wives of Orson, who is one of ube twelve aposties, Sister Isabella M. Hora, who has borne fifteen converse, to her husband, who bas several other wives. Sister Priscilla Stxines, formerly one of the wives of Tom Wilams, who was Killed by Indians some seventeen years ago, but now one of the wives_of an energetic agent of the Church, Sisier Mary N. Leaver, presidentreas of one of the ward female reliet societies, Sister Elizabeth McLellan, @ wife of one of the ward bishops. When the names had been announced the sisters were requested to retire to prepare the resolutions— which, however, had already been prepared. They retired, however, and remained absent a long whtie, durivg which several sisters spoke or read their speeches, Sister Lizzie Suow was the first in order, but she asked to be allowed to wait a while until her voice, which was not just then # ¢ritu, should be more recovered, SPEECH OF SISTER BATHSHEBA SMITH, The speech of Sister Battisheba Smith, one of the wives of George A, Smith, who is cousin to the Jormer prophet Joseph, first Counselior to the pres- gut prophet Brigham, historian of the Churoh and next in authority to Young himself, was then read by sister Hannah ‘tf, King, a poetess, as 1ollows:— BELOVED SisTe&RS AND FRIENDS—It ts witn no ordinary feelings that | meet with you on the pres- entoccusion. From my early youth I have been identified with the Latter Day Saints; hence I have oéen an eye and ear witness to many oi the scenes that have veen inilicted upon our peovle by mit of intolerant persécuuion. 1 watched by the bedside of the first apostic, David W. Vatten, who fell a piartyrin ihe Church, He was anoble soul. He was shot by 4 m6¥ while defending the saints in Ray county, State of Missouri, on the 26th of Octobar, 1855, As Brother Patten’s lifeblood oozed away stood by and heard his dying testimony to the truth of our holy religion: declaring himself to be a friend to a}l mankina, he sacrificed nis }ife purely to defend the mmnoceur. He had no feelings of hos- titty to his race, but labored toexaicthem, His fast words addressed to his wile were: Whatever you do, oh! do not deny the faith.” This circum- slauce made & lasting pression upon my youthful mind. in Missvert mobs were burning houses and killug the saints, when an ariiy was sent by Gov- ernor Boggs Whicl, we supposed, had come to pro- tect us. But, alas! time proved that it came to con- nue the same dreadful Work, reducing the whole people froin compevence Lo extreme poverty, send- img them forth under an exterminating order, in mud-winter, 200 miles across the bleak prairies among strangers in @ strange State, leaving (uetr bomes and property to be possessed by their persecutors. 1 was mGmately acquainted with che ufe and ministry of our beloved prophet and patri- arch, Joseph and Hyram Smuth. I Know that they were pure meu, who labored for the redemption of the human family. For six years I heard their pub- jie aud private teachings. It was trom thew lips that Lheard taught the principle of celestial mar- riage, and when | saw their mangled forms cold ia death, having beech slain for the testimony of Jesus by the hands of cruel bigots, in defhance of law, jus- tice and executive pledges; and although tiis was a scene of barbarous cruelty, which can never be erased Irom the :ninds of those Wao heard tue heart- ing cries of Widows and orphans, aud mtugled ears Wilt those of tnousands ef witnesses of the mournful ocvasion, we memories of wich L hardly Jee! willing to awaken, yet 1 realize that they had sealed their uinisiry with their blood, and that uelr tunony was in force. On the 9th 1846—the middie of a cold and in company With thousands of the saints, 1 was Griveu agaim from my comforiabie Rome, the accuuiulation OL six years’ indusury and prudence, 1, with two little children, commenced a long and ry Journey, through wilderness, over prairies, ris and mountams, to seek another nome, for & wicked ob had decreed we must leave. fora, of Miluois, said the Laws were powerless to protect us. Exposed to tue cold of winter aud the storms of Spring, We conlunued our Journey, amid Wan! apd exposure, burying by the waysid@a dear mower and sop and many Kind frieuds and relatives. We reached the Missouririver in July. Here our country thought proper to make a requisition for a ond our flag in the War pending with Mexico. respouded promptly, many of niy kin- red stepping iovward aud performing a journey characterized by ther commanding officer as “un: raiteled ta history’? With most of our youth and miud- die aged inen a we cou.d not proceed; hence we were compelied vo make anotuer home, which, tough uuiane, approaciing Winver made very de- siretie. in 1547-45 ail who were able, through sell- ing thelr surplus property, proceedod; we who retained were tuid by an ‘unfecing Indian agent that we must vacate our houses ald revross ine Missouri river, &5 (he laws Would Hot periuit us to remai on Indian lands. We obeyed, and again made a new howe, though Only afew miles distance. ‘This latter nome We abandoned in 1849 for tae pur- pose of joining our co-reiigiontists in the then far-ort Tegion denominated op the maps “the Great vesert,”” and by some later geograpuers ag ‘astern Upper Caluerma,” In tius isolated country we made new homes, and for a tine Cousended with the crickets for a scanty subsistence. ve rude, ignorant and almost nude lndiaus Were @ heavy tax upon us while struggliug again lo make comiortable humes and tmprovenieuts ; yet we bore it all wishout complatni, tor we were buored up with the happy reflectious taat we were at peace and wad fouud an asylum in such an dudesirable country a3 to strengthen us in the hope that our houses would not be coveted, and that should we, througn the blessing of God, succeed in planung our own vine and fg tree, no one would Teel heartiess enough to withuold from us that reil- gious liberty woicu we had sought in vain among our former neighbors. Without recapitulating our recent history, the developiment of a peopie whose industry aud morality have extracted eulogy from thelr most bitter traducers, I cannot help expressing my surprise, uungied with regret and indignation, al the recent procveding of those who, ignorant of our real condition and bigotted, and led on by the Vice vresident, Would aid reckless speculators who seek ior proscripuion aud plunder, and who feel wili- img to rob the iniabitants of these valleys o1 their hard earved possessions agd, what Is dearer, the coustituuonal poou of religious liberty. (Applause.) HOF SISTER RITER. Sister Riter, who bas been long a mother in Israel, then spoke as follows:— In rising before this vast assembly and consider- ing the tmportauce of this mecting my heart 1s tillea with grautude which words canuot express. We Have not met her beloved sisters, as women of other States and ‘Territories meet, to complain of the Wrongs and abuses iniieted upon us by our hus- bands, our fathers and our sons; but we are happy and proud to state tat we bave uo such aflicuons aid abuses to compiain of, Neituer do we ask for the right of francuise; nor do we ask for more jaw, more liberty or more rights from our husbands and brothers, for there 1s no spot on this wide eartn where kindness and affection are more bestowed upon Women aud her rights so sacrediy detended, We are here to express our love jor each other and to exhibit to the word our devotion to God our Heavenly Father, and our willingness to comply with the requirements of the Gospel; and ag the Jaw of celestial marriage is one of the requirements we are resolved to honor, teach and practice the same. Mey God grant us strength todoso! (Amen [ from the assembly,) and that we may continue to enjoy Ireedom and Civil and religious liverty, I ask in tue Name of Jesus Christ, (Another amen.) SPEECH OF ONG OF BRIGHAM’S WIVES. Sister Harriet Cook Young, one of Brigham’s wives, then came forward aud read her speech as foilows:— In rising to address this meeting delicacy prompts me to explain the chief motives which dictated our present action. We, the ladies of Salt Lake City, have assembled here to-day not for the purpose of assuming any particular political power, nor to claum any speciai prerogative which may or may not belong to our sex, put to express our indigna- ton at the unhallowing efforts of men, wito, regard- less of every principle of manhood, justice and con- siitutional liberty, would force upon @ religious community, by a direct issue, elther the curse of apostacy, or the bitter alternative of fire and sword. Surely the instinct of self preservation, the love of hberty and happiness aud the right to worship God, are dear to our sex as well as to the other. And when these most secred of all the rights are thus wickediy assalicd, it becomes absviutely our duty to defend them, The Inission of the Latter Day Saints is co reform abuses which have for ages corrupted the world and to es- tablish an ere of peace and righteousness. ‘The Most High 1s the founder of this mission, and in order to is establishment His providences have so shaped we world’s history that on this Coatinent, blest above all other lands, a free and enlightened govern- tment has been insututed, guaranteeiiig to ail social political and religious Mberty. The constitution ol our country 1s, therefore, hallowed to as, and we view with @ jealous eye every tofringement upon its great principles, and demand in the sacred name of liberty that the man who would wample It under bis feet, by depriving a hundred thousand American citizens of every vestige of liberty, should be anathe- matized throughout the length and breadth of te land a8 @ traitor to God and his country. It ts not strange that among the bigoted aud corrupt such & man and such ® measure shouid have originated; but it will be strange, indeed, if such @ measure find favor wit the“ honoraple and high-minded men who wield tue destinies of the nation. Jet this seal of ruin be attached to the archives of our comutry, and terrible must be the results. Woe will wait upon her steps and sorrow aud desolation will stalk through the lang; peace and liberty wiil seck another clime, whlle au. archy, lawlessness and bioody strife hold high car- nival around the general wreck. God forbid that wicked meu work such evil to the nation. Ibis true ‘Wat @ COITUDt Dread Bud BR eaually corryps Drighe creftare leagued against us—that they have pan. dered to the ance of the masses and vilified our institutions to that degree that it has become popular to believe the Latuer Day Saints are unwor- thy to live; but it is also trae that there are many, very many, right-thinking men Who are not without influence in the nation, and to such we do now sol- emnly and earnestly appeal. Let the united voice of this assembly give the lie co the popular clamor that the Mormon” women of Utah are oppressed and held in bondage. Let the world know that the women of Utan compeahene this, and prefer virtue to vice and the hpwe fn honorable wife to tne gilded pa- geantry of fasuionabie temples of sin. ‘transitory allureinents, giaring to the senses a8 the flame is to the moth, but short lived and cruel 1m their resu! no charms for us. Kvery woman in Utah thay have her husband—the huspaad of her choice. Here we are taught not to desiroy our citl- dren, but to preserve them; for they, reared in the ‘th of virtue and trained to righteousness, consti- jute our true glory. It 1s with no wish to accuse our sisters who are not of our faich that I refer to these things; but we are dealing with facts as they exist. Wherever monogamy relyns adultery, prostitution, free love and fusticide, directly or indirecily, are 11s concomitsnts. tig not enough to say that the vir- tuous and the high-minded frown upon these evils; we belivve they do; but frowning does not cure them; it does not even check thelr rapid growtt. Eicher tue remedy is too weak or the disease is too strong. The women oi Utah comprehend this, and they see inthe principle of plurality of wives the only safeguard against adultery, prostitution, free love and reckiess waste of prenatal life practised throughout the land. [t 1s a3co-workers an the great mission Of universal reform, not only in our own behalf, but also by precept aud example, to aid in the emancipation of our sex generally, that we accept in our heart of hearts what we know to ve @ divine commaudment, and here and now, boldly and ublicly, We do agsert our right not only to lieve in vbis het commandment, but to practice what wi iteve. While these are our views every attempt to force that obnoxious Measure upon us must of necessity be an atvempt to Coerce us in our religious and moral convictions, against which did we fot most solemnly protest we would be unworthy the name of American women. (Applause.) THE RESOLUTIONS. The committee of sisters now returned, and Sister Eilza Snow read the resolutions, as follows: ‘That wo, the ladies of Salt Lake City, in mass meeting assombied, do manifest our indignation and protest agalnat the Dill bovore Cougross known ‘as, the Cullun bil, also the one knowa as the Cragin bill, and also all similar bills, expressions and manifestoos, Kesoived, That we consider the above named bills foul blots on Our National esvutchbeon—abdsurd documents—atrocious fuaults to the honorable J-xecutives of the United States gov- ¢rnment, and malicious attempts to subvert the rights of civil and relijjious liberty. Kesolved, That we do hold sacred the constitution be- queathed us by our forefathers, and ignore, with laudable womanly jealousy, every act of those men to whom the re- aponsivisities of government have ueen entrusted “which is ted to descroy Its eilicacy. nitedly exercise every moral powér and very rig) we inherit as the daughters of American citizens, to prevent the passage of such Duls; knowing that they would inevitably east ® stigma on gus republican gov. ernment by jeopardiaiug the iiberty and ives of its most Joyal and peaceable citizens, ‘Reavived, That in our candid opinion the presentation of the aforesaid bills indicates » manifest degeneracy of the great men of our nation; and their adoption would presage & speedy downfall and ulthnate extinction of the glorious pe- desta of freedom, protection and equai rights established by our noble ancestors. Resolved, That we acknowledge the institutions of the Church of “Jesus Curist of, latter Gay aunts as the only relia- bie safeguard of female virtue and innocence; and the only sure protection against the fearful sin of prostitution and its attendant evils, now prevalent abroad; aud, as such, we are and shall be united with our brethren in’ sustaining them ‘agalust each and every encroachment. Resolved, That we consider the originators of iba afore- said biis disloyal to the constitution and unworthy of an; position of trust in any office whic involves tue interests o our nation, Regolved, That in case the bills in question should pass both houses of Congress and become @ law by which we slially be disiranchised ax a Territory, we, the ladies of Salt Lake City, shall exert all our power ‘and influence to afd in the jupport of our own State government, Applause followed the reading of these resolu- tions, which were then put to vote, and @ couple of thousand gentle, saintly bands were raised in favor of thea and against the government. Aud 80 the resolutions were adopted. SISTER SMITH ON PERSECUTIONS. Sister Suiru, who has been a professing saint for nearly forty years, moved some of her sister saints to tears when she related the persecutions of her faraily, as follows:— SisTers—As I sat upon my seat listening tt seemed a3 though if I held my peace tae stones of the streets wouid cry out. With your ge Are aiding me i will try and make a few reiarks. obeyed the Gospel the lst day of April, 1831, almost thirty-nine years ago. J have been in the midst of this people ever since. I have seen their travels, their persecuuions, they sorrows, their afflictions. I have seen the mourning and sorrow of this people in their calamities, and many 1s the time my heart has been pained at the scenes I have wit- essed. I moved to Kirtland, Ohio, with my hus- band—a good man and a Jaithful elder in the Caurch, He moved his family to Kirtland, but he could not live there, for our persecntors said we must not stay. So we sold our dweiliag for @ song, and we had io sing It ourselves. We travelled to Missour. Our (eains were poor, and we uad hardly enough to keep soul and body together, having been robped oi nearly all we had. We landed in Caldwell county, near Haun’s mill, niae@ wagons Of us in company. ‘fwo days betore We landed there we were taken prisoners by un armea inob that demanded all the ammunition and every weapon we tad. We sur- |. Tendered them; gaye up all, They know, for they searched our wagous. We went on and a few miles farther came to Haun's Mill, the scene of the awful murder that was enacted. My busband pitched his tent near a biacksmith siop. Brother David Bvans had made a treaty with the mob not to molest us; aud he came and told us. He called the company into the blacksmith shop, and they Koeic in prayer. 1 satin my tent and saw the mob coming, the same that bad taken the arms away. They catue like #0 many demons, or indians. ‘Before 1 could get to the blacksmith suop door to tell those mside the bullets came whistling among them. Among those who were killed were my husband and one sou; and one beau- itul boy, now were, a map 1p your midst, waa wounded worse than death, 1 was ovliged to sit all that awful night on the ground to take care of my poor chitdreu. Auotuer sister, who had @ son wounded, sat there uli night with me, The scene was terriple beyond descriptioa. ‘The wounded and dying were lying moauing around; and we sat there tat dearful night, knowing the mob was not far oi and might retura upon us any inoment. Next mora: ing Brother Josepn Young cume to see what could be done. He said tuere was no tme to bury the bodies, for the mob was close at band, nor were there men to dig the graves, and asked woat shouid be done. I said, “anything rather than leave the dead to the flends who nad murdered them.’ ‘here was a dry, deep well close vy, and inte that tie bodles were put, seventeen in number, aud we moved away. And (is was in Ainerica, the jand of liverty and freedom, that boasts of the rights guaranteed to its citizens. We are here to-day to express ourselves as American citizens, Let as siaud to the truth if we die for it, This is my prayer. (Applause.)j SISTER EASI’S DISCOURSE ON LIBERTY AND POLY- GAMY. Sister WiLMaRra East briefly discoursed on Itverty ‘aud plurality as tollows:— It is with feelings of pleasure, mingled with indig- nation, that | appear before you, my sisters, to ex- press my feelings with regara to the Cullom bil now before Congress. The constitution which our forefatners bled and died to bequeata to us guarantees the rmght of reiigions liverty, to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences. Does the Cullom bill give us this right? Conspare it with the constitution. Where is tue itberty bequeatned us by our fatuers?—the rich- esc boon ever given co man or woman, except eternal life or the Gospel of the Son of God. 1 am an American by birch, aud have lived above the laws. I claim the right to worship God according to my conscience aud the commandments of God. Tne constitution guarantees to me “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Whac 1s itfe to me if I see tne galling yoke of Oppression piacea upon the necks of my Lusvand, brothers and sons? ‘ihat Mr, Cullom wouid do. Lam proud to say to you that L am not only @ cilizen of the United States of America but a citizen of the kingdom of God; and the laws of His kingdom I am willing to sustain and aefeud by example and precept. 1 am thankiul to-day that f£ have the privilege of itving the religion of Jesus, our Saviour, and that { have the houored privilege of being the recipient of one of the greatest principles ever reveaied to man for nis redemption and exaita- tion in the kingdom of God, namely, piurality of wives; and f at tienklut to-day tia 1 kuow God is at the helm and will defend his people. SISTER KIMBALL WANTS GENERAL GRANT TO BE A MORMON. Sister Saran KIMBALL here chimed in and said:— We are loyal citizens of the United States. We have been faituful and true to the standard ralsed for our liveruies, We are faiviful to the constitu. tiou. My grandfathers Iougat in the Revoiution, My great uncle was one of the signers of the vecla- ration of Jndependence. I pray that the principies and the Spiritof God that 1s with us may be ex. tended to Washington, that our Chief Magistrate May Tee} the spirit of this audience and of our dis- gust and contempt of the movement made for our desiruction, i hope we will soon become a free and Independent State, when we wiil clect our own gov- ernment and oflicers and not be trampled upon as we are at present. WASHINGTON A CELESTIAL MORMON. Sister MCMINN, an aged saint among the audience, rose aud sai 1 am au American citizen, My father foughi all through the American Revolunon and lost all his preperty; and Lam proud that Lhavea name among the Latter Day Samts. 1 rejoice mw the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, I could not keep my ,8eat any longer. My father fought besiue Geueral Washington.’’ “How old are you, Sister McMinn ?”’ asked Sister Kiinball, and the answer was, “eighty-four.” “Lt would observe,’’ resumed Sister Kimball, “that General Washington isa member of this Chureh and kingdom. I was present when Judge Adams, of Springfeld, was baptized for Washington. SILVER-SAVAGE STRAINS OF SISTER SNOW. Sister ELIZA SNOW, tie poetess, who was now in better voice, then came forward and read her sev speech, as iollows:— b4 My sisters, tn addressing you at this time, I realize ‘that the occasion is @ peculiar and interesting one. We are living in a land of freedom, under a consti- tution that guarantees civil and religious liberty to all, black and white, Christians, Jews, Mobammedans and pagans, and how sirange it is that such consider wOns ALOU EXisl as (hose Which have Called Uy to- gether this afternoon! Under the proud banner Which now waves from occan to ocean, strange as 1G may seem, we, who have ever been joyal citizens, have been persecuted from time to time and driven from place to untii at last, beyond the bounds of civilization, under the guidance of President Young, we found an asylum of @ tn the midst of ese Mountains. ‘There are, at times, small and parently trivial events iu the lives of individual with which every other event naturally aasociates, ‘There are circumstances in the bisvory of natioas whicd seem as centres, around which everything else revolves. The entrance of our brave ploneers and the settlement of the Latter Day Suints tu these mountain vales, which then were only barren, savage Wilds, are incidents with which not only our future, but the future of the whole world, 1s deeply associated, Here they struggled with more whan mortal energy, for their hearts and hands were nerved by thespirit of the Most High, and through Bis blessing they succeeded in drawing sus- tenance from the arid soll; and here they erected the standard on which the Star Spangled Banuer waved its salutations of welcome to tuo nations of the earth; and, aithough it had been stained with the blood’ of innocence, here it has been rescued from the withering touch of tyranny and oppression; here it has been honored and respected, and here it wil be bequeathed unsullied to future generations. Yes, that “dear old fag," which in my gir:hood | aiways contemplated with joyous pride, and to which the patriotte sirains of my earitest muse were chanted, ere floats triumphantly on the mountain breeze, Our numbers, small at first, nave increased, uatil now we number 150,000, and yet we are allowed only @ Territorial goverument. Year after year we liave petitioned Congress for what it was our inalienab‘e Tight lo claim—a State governinent—aud year alter year our petitions have been treated with contempt. Such treatwmenteas we have received 18 almost without a parajie) in history. But now, instead of granting us our rights as American citi- gens, bills are presented to Congress which are ® disgrace to men in responsibie stations and ciaiming to possess honor and magnanimity; bills which, if carried ito eifect, would destroy. us 8a people, But there is too much virtue yet exist- ing in tue nation; and, above ali, there 1s a God in heaven whose protecting care is over us and who takes cognizance of the acts of the childrep of me! We have met Hat io t Olir vicws an opinions concerain; Opp! ivé policy threatened to be exercised towards us by our republican gov- ernment. Aside from ail local and personal feelings to me it is a gource of deep regret that the standard of American liberty should have so far swayed trom its original towering position as to have given rise to circumstances which not only rendered such a meeting opportune, but absolutely necessary. There- fore, while aetraction and ridicule have been poured forth in almost every form that matice could invent, while we have been misrepresented by speech and ress, and exhibited in every suade but our true light ¢ ladies of Utah, a8 a general thing, have rematne: silent, Had not our alms been of the most noble and exalted characier, and had we not known that we occupied a standpoint far above our traducers, we might have returned volley for volley; but we have all the time realized that to contradict such egregious absurdities would be @ great stoop of condescension, far beneath the dignity of those who Pprotess to pe sats of the living God, und we very unassumingly applied to ourselves a saying of an ancient apostle, writing to the Corinthians, ‘Ye sutter fools gladly, seeing that yourselves are wise.’’ But there is & point at which silence 1s no longer a virtue, and in ny humbie opluton we nave reached it. Shall we, ought we to de silent when every right ol citizenship, every vestige of civil and religious liberty 18 at stake? “When our husbands and sons, our fathers and bothers are threatened with being eltner restrained in their obedience to the commands of God or Incarcerated year alter year in the dreary confines of a prison, will it be thought mresumptuous for us tospeak? Are not our interests one witn our breturen’ Ladies, tis subject as deeply interests us as them, In the kingdom of God woman has no in- terests separate from those of man—all are mutual. Our enemies pretend that in Utah woman ts held in @ state of vassalage; that she does not act from choice, but by coercion; that we would even prefer life elsewhere were It possible for ua to make our escape. What nonsense. We gil know that Mt we wished we could leave at ally time, either to go singly or we could rise en masse, aud there is no power here that could or would even Wish to prevent us; and that litte stronghold, Camp Douglas, where men have noth- ing to do but eat, drink and smoke at the expensd of the national treasury, would be no more in pre- venting our escape than a whut from one of their cigars. 1 will now ask this intelligent assemblage of iat ie Do you know of auy piace on the face of the rth where woman has more liberty aud where she enjoys sugh high and glorious privileges as_she does liere as a Latter Day Salurt (Voices, ‘No.’ The very idea of W6man hére betng in a state of avery 18 a burlesque on good common sense. ‘The nistory of tis people, with @ very listie reflection would instruct outsiders On this point; it would show at once that the part which woman Las acted in it could never Lave been performed against her will, Amid the many distressing scenes inrough which we bave passed, the privauions aud hardships consequent on our expulsions from Siate to State, gud our location in an isolated, barren wilderoess, the women in this Church have performed and sut- fered what could never have been borne and accom- plished by slaves. And now, alter all that bas tran- spired, cau our Opponents expect us to look on with silent indiflerence and see every vestige of that liberty tor which many of our patriotic grandsires fought and bled that they might bequeath to us, thelr children, the precious boon of national tree- dom, wrested from our grasp’ They must be very duiim estimating the energy of female ciaracier Who can persuade themselves that Women, Who, Jor the sake Of their religion, lett their homes, crossed the piains with ndcarts, or, as many nad previousiy done, drove Ox, mui¢e aud horse teams, from Nauvoo and from other points, when their husbands and sons went at their couutry’s catl Lo ight her bates im Mexico— yes, tuut very country that had refused us provec- Hon and trom which we were then struggilag to make our escape—I say, that those who think tual such women and the daughters of such women do not Possess too much energy of character to remain pas- sive and mute under existing circumstances are ‘veckoning bills without weir lost.” 1o suppose that we should not be aroused whea our brevren are threatened With flues and lmprisonment for their faith in aud obedience to the laws of God is an in- sult to our Womanly hatures. Were we the stupid, degraded, heartbroken things taat we have been represented, silence might better become us; but as women of God; women fiiiiag high and responsibie positions, performing sacred duties; women who Stand, potas dictators, but as counsellors to their husbands, and who in. the purest, nobiest sense of refined womanhood, being truly their helpmates, we not only speak be- cause we have the right, but justice and humanity demand that we shouid. Instead of being lorded over by tyrannical husbands we, the ladies of Utah, are already in possession of a privilege which many tutelligent and higa-alming iadies in the Scates are earnestly seeking—the right tu vote, Although, as yet, we have not veen ad- mitted to tue comuon ballot vox, to us the right of suffrage is extended in matiers of far greater im- portance. ‘this we say truthfully, not boastingly; wad We may say furtver, that if those sensitive per- sons Who profess to pity the condition of the women of Utah will secure unto us those rights and privi- whica a just and equitable administration of the laws Of the constitution of the United states guarantees to every loyal citizen, they may reserve their sympathy for objects more appreciative. My sisters, inasmuch as we are free to do ali that love and duty prompt, let us ve brave and unfaitering in sustaining our brethren, Woman’s faith cau accompiish wonders. Let us, like the devout and steadiast Miriam, sustam our brethren ag she up- held the hands of Moses, Lixe the ioving Josephine, whose firm yet gentle iutluence animated and sooihed “the heart of Napoleon, we will encourage and assist the servants of God in establishing righteousness; but, unlike Josephine, never Will political inducements, tnreats or persecu- tions preval! on us to relinquisi our matrimonial tes; they were formed by the authority of the holy priesthood, the efficiency of which extends into eter- nity. But ‘vo the law and to the testimouy.” Those obnoxious, fratricidal bills! {feel indignant at the thougit that such documents should disgrace the Jederal capital. ‘Ine same spirit that prompted Herod to seek the life of Jesus, the same that drove our Pilgrim Fathers;to this Continent, and the same that urged the English government to the system of un- represented taxation which resuited in the indepen- cence of the American colonies, is conspicuous in those bills. If such measures are persisted in they Will proauce serious results, They not only tureaven extirpation to us, but they augur destruction to the governwent. The authors of those bills would tear the constitution to shreds. They are sapping the ioundations of American freeaom; they would obliterate every vestige of the dearest mght of man—liberty of ‘con- sclence—and reduce our once happy country vo a slate o! anarchy. Our trust 1s in God; He that ied Israel fortu from the land of Egypt, who pre- served Shadrach, Meshach and Abeanego in the tery furnace, who rescued Daniel from tne jaws of huugry lions and directed Brigham Young to these mountain vales; He lives and overrules the destinies of men aud nations. He will make the wrath of man raise Him; and His purposes will move steadily forward until wickedness shail be swept from the earin, and truth, love and righteousness reign triumpuantly. (Applause.) THE SQUALLING BABIES. At the conclusion of Sister Snow’s address “The women in the audience whose babies are trouble- some,” said Sister Kumball, “will take them ou.” SISTER KING ON CULLOM AND HIS BLL. Sister King now read ber sentiments as toliows:— My Dear SisTers—I wish I bad the language | feel heed at the present moment to truly express the in- dignant feelings of my heart and brain on reading last evening a string of thirty ‘sections,’ headed by the words, “A bill inaid of the execution of the Jaws in Utah, and for other purposes.” The “other purposes” contained the pith of the matter; and the adamantine chains with which the author seeks to bind the people of Utah exceed anything the feadal times of England or the seridom of Kussia ever laid upon human beings, Are we really in America, tue worid-renowneu land of liberty, of Ireedom, of equal rights? The land of which t dreamed in my Youth a8 almost an earthly elysium, where freedom of thought and religious liberty were enjoyed by all? The land that Columbus wore his noble life out to discover? The land that God Himsel! aided him im discovering, and which Isabella, a queen—a Wo- + man—declared she would pawn her jewels and her crown of Castile to procure the means needed by him? For something whispered to her he was called of God for the purpose. ‘he land of Washi! mn, the *‘Fa- thor of bis Country,” ana a host of noble spirits, too numerous to mention, The land to which the Mayflower bore the Piigrim Fathers as they bade their native land “Good night,” that they might worship God im @ purer aud holier faith in Ame- rica, 80 long synonymous with liverty and free- dom? Yes, sisters, this is America; but how Chapged! Woo of weak a tue creature = qhat framed this tncomparable aocument? Is ne an Esquimaux, or what isolated land produced bimt What ideas he must have of woman! @ mother or a sister ora wife? In what seminary was he tutored, or to what schoo! dogs he belong, that he should so coolly and systematically com- mand the women of this people to turn traitors to thelr ausbands and brothers? Short-aghted man of sections and the bill! Let us, the sisterhood of Utan, teil htm to defer the bill until he has studied the character of woman such a8 God intended she should be. ‘Then he will discover that devotion, veneration and faithfulness are her peculiar atcri- butes; that Godis herre(uge and His servants her Oracles; and that tle women of Utni have paid too high a price for their presens posimon, their light and knowledge and their future to succumb to #0 mean and foul a thing ay this Cullom bill, Let him know that they are heart and hand with the prother- hood of Utah; that God i their fatner and their friend; that toto nis hangs they commit their cause, id on their standard have emblazoned as their od aud wy right’? (Appiause.) SISTER PRATIS INDIGNATION AT THE BILL, Sister ELRANOR N. PRATT, widow of Parley P. Pratt, then alluded briefly vo her sutterings for the Gospei and to the “shedding of innocent vlood.” She had longed to see tue Women of Utah rise as they had risen to-day. “Our enemies,” she said, “have learned that the women and the saints do not tear doath, because it perpetuates our institution our enemies feel this, and the men who write these cous tempuible bills fvel 16 too, Contempt and indignation are too good for them. Jv 1s trash, 1 wish the Dese- ret alphabet had something more expressive in it thaa ‘indignation’ and ‘contempt.’ 1 au wiling tha’ my blood shail flow in the cause against these men and the government who seek to persecute (he satus.” A BLAST FROM SISTER HORN. Sister HORN, who embraced the faith in 1835, sald she hoped all her sister saints would be united against the bill, “Iam proud,” she said, “that 1 preack and practise plurality of wives, and { always expect to do 80. e are all in the hands of God, and he overruies everything. Whether they pass the Dill or not, It will all be right; for they cannot ac- complish anything except the Lord will let them. Lf they sul persist in persecucing the saints and if they pass this bill | think the Lord wiil utterly waste the nation, unless they repent.” SISTER PHBE UPON “SEALING.” Sister Pogue Woopnur then thus spoke cf the constitution, “sealing” and oppressive laws:— Ladies of U! Trise te express my Views upon the important subject which nas called us together to-day. Iam happy to be one of your number here, 1am proud that | am a citizen of Utah aud a mem- ber of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 1 have been ® member of this Church for thirty-sx years, and have had ue privilege of liv. ing In the days of tue prophet Josepn Smitn and of hearing his teachings for many years. He ever counselled us to hgnor, obey and Intain the prin- cipies of the noble coustitution for Which our fathers fought and which many of them sacrtilced (heir lives to establish. President Brigham Young bas always tuught the same principles. ‘Thts glorious legacy of our fathers—the Constitution of the United States—guarantees to all cilizens of this great re- pupite the rigat to worship God according to the dic- lates of their own consciences, for It expressly says “Congress shall make no laws respecting an éstab- lushiment of religion or pronibiting the iree exercise thereot.” Cusjom’s bill 18 In direct violation o1 Lis deciaration of the constitution; aod 1 think 1t our duty to do ail im our power, by our voices and iniuence, to thwart its passage, for it commits a violent outrage upon our rights and the rights of our fathers, husbauds aud sons, and whatever may be the final result of the action of Congreas in passing or enforcing oppressive laws, for the suke of our religion upon the noble men who have subdued these deserts, 16 ls Our duty Lo stand by them aad support them by our iutth, prayers and works through every dark hour unto the ead, and trust 1n God to deiend us and all Wilo are cated to suffer lor keeping the commandments of God. Sualt we, a8 wives ald mothers, sit sil aud see our nus- bands and sons, who we know are obeyiug tie be- hest of Heaven, suifer for their religion without exerting ourseives to the extent of our power lor their deliverance? Nol verily no! Gou nas re- Veuied unto us the law of tue patwarcial order of marriage aud has commanded to obey i, We are seated to our husbands for time and eternity, Ubat we may dwell with them and our chiluren tu the world (9 come, which guarantees unto us te greatest bicssiig for which we are created. if the ruiers of our nation will so iar depart from tue spirit and Jetter of our glorious con- stituuon as to deprive our prophets, apostles and elders of citizenship and imprison them tor obeying this iaw, let tiem graut us tais last request—io make taeir prisons targe enough to hold tueir wives, or where they go we wiil xo uso. (Applause.) CONCLUDING SPEECH OF SISTER SNOW. Sister SNow made the final speech, extempora- neously, a3 follows:—At the ume we were Lrsat threatened with mobs 1 heard Joseph Smith say it the people were driven vy moos, and the authorities countenauced It, Lue MObUCratic spirit would increase until they lad mobs to their hearts’ content, 1 heard him say the time would come When this ation would so far depart irom 1vs original purity, lis glory aud 1t3 love lor freedom, aud its protection of civil and religious iiber‘y, Wat tie Cousticuiion of our coun. try would hang, a3 it were, Ly a thread; aud he said also that nis people, the Sons of Zion, would rise up and save the constitu- ‘tion and bear it off riumphautiy. 1 wisi to say to my sisters, to tue mothers 1 israel aud to the sis- ters, cultivate in your bosoms the spirts of Ltberiy aud freedom wiich bas been pequeathed us by our fatuers, or graudfainers, [ should say. My grandiather fought in ihe kevolution. ie was take prisouer aud loug jay in a filthy prison with &@ com- panion that was taxer with him, aad ted On such scanty ailowance as would scarcely support life. His companioa died, and tor the sake of saving is ailowance be covered fim up in bed and kept hun JUS as long a3 he could Dear Lo stay with @ decaying body. ‘Tue spirit of ireedora and liberty is Woal we should always cuitivae, and what the mothers F suvuld caitivare 1 the preasis of their 893 that they may grow up brave and honorable, and deicuders of that constitution which has been bequeathed to us. Let motuers cullivate that spirit in tue own bosoms, and let them manifest their own bravery and cherish a spirit of encountering dilficulties, lor they have to be met more or less in every situation iniife; and ihose who have fortitude and nobility of soul Within theinseives Will transmit tt to Cueir clit. dren. Their sous will grow up noble defenders of truth and righteousness and heralds of salvation to the nations of the earth, prepared to fill high and responsible posiuons in judicial, clvil and executive, as well as in religious couditions. 1 consider thie @sseutially nnportant, that we may preserve our sacred constitution, for the same spirit tuat inspired the prophet Joseph Smith inspired the framers of the constitution, and we should ever hold it sacrea and bear it off triumphantly. My sisters, I am happy to meet with you, altough the cause which has brought us together 18 Oue ratuer to regret; yet lam happy to meet with you, and my desire is that we way to- gether defend truth and righteousness, and sustain those who are preachers of righteousness; indeed we suould be preachers of righteousness ourselves. Kvery sister in tuis church should be such a preacher. 1 tuk we aliare, 1 think it 1s our alm to be such. Let us be more energetic to improve our minds and develop that sireugth of moral character which can- not be surpassed on the earvu, The circumstances in which we are placed and our position tn life de- mand this, because we have greater ana nolier privi- leges than any other females upon the earth. 1 will close by saying God bless us aud help us to keep His commandments and ve valtaut for che cruch. Sister Phebe Woodrulf now overed up a closing prayer, and all the sister saints dispersed out into the driving snow. SUDDEN OEATH OF SEHAT0R NORTON'S BROTHER. For some years past Peter Norton, brother of Michael Norton, representative of the Fifth Senato- rial district of this city in the State Legisiature, has been under the care of several physicians for heart disease. About turee o’clock yesterday morning, as the invalid was on his way home, he felt unwell and called into the house of a iriend in Prince street to seek assistance. In a few momenta afterwards he felt from the chair on which he was sitting to the floor and expired almost immediately. ‘The remaius were conveyed to the late residence of deceased, 142 Sullivan street, where Coroner Keenan subsequently beld an inquest. Senator Norton tes- tified as co tne suffering of his brotwer and the jury returned @ verdict of death from disease of the heart, Deceased was twenty-nine years of age aud @ native of this city, Some weeks ago Mr. Norton ‘was appointed an oificer 1u the Court of Generat fae which position he held at the time of bis ath, THE PciGHTAL ‘TRAGEDY IN PENNSYLVANIA, Conviction of Bohner and Van Bordenbarg— Their Sentence. (Huntingdon, Pa., (Jan. 21) correspondence Philadel- nia Press.) ‘The §tria) of Bohner and Van bordenburg, the mur- derers of the Peightai family, was concluded on ‘Tuesday, and resuited in a verdict of murder in tac lirst degree with regard to both prisoners. ‘Ine ver- dict was in strict xccord with the evidence, which Hixed the terrible crime unerringly upon tae two men. It was understood that the murderers wonid be sentenced to-day, and the greatest anxicty was manifested by the people geuerally to be present. Long before the time of opening the Court & vast crowd began to move towards the court house, and the room was densely filled when Bohuer and Van Bordenburg were brought in. His Honor, Jadge Taylor, soon afterwards arrived, and proceeded at once to pronounce the sentence. On being asked if they had apything to say why sentence should not be passed upon them, one of the prisoners, Bohner, ‘was silent; the other prisoner, Van Bordenburg, re- piled that he was not guilty, and knew nothing of the murder until he was arrested in Altoona, where he was intormed of it. a ‘The Judge then recounted briefly the circumstances of the murder, and the evidence against tue two men, calling their attention to the horrible atrocity of the crime, the justice of the punisnment to be in- ficted, and the hopelessness of escape from it, con- cluding a8 lollows:— And now the sentence of the law and of this court is, that you, the prisoners at the bar, Gottlieb Bobner and Albert Van Bordenburg, be taken hence to the yaii of funtingdon county, ‘whence you came, and thence to the place of execution, an that you there be hanged by the nock until you are dead} and may God, in his infinite compassion, have mercy on your souls. The prisoners manifested but little fecling during the delivery of the sentence. At its conclusion they ‘were removed to the jail, to await the day of excu- ton, to be tixed by the Governor. At Wangaratta, Australia, a young man was lately sentenced io two months’ Mmprisgument for Kissing @ Gurl gaRMAt her Wil CITY POLITICS. The Political Aimosphere—A Split in the Tammany Ranuks—The Fight Over the Albany Commissions—A New Anti-’ Tammany League of Five— The Shrievalty — The Comptrollership, ‘The politicat atmosphere 1s considerably diaturbea at the present moment, and the wedkkneed hangers- on of party leaders tmagiae that they seo tn the alr portents of astorm that threatens complete wreck or severe strainings to the Tammany machine if it be longer recklessly run upon the present track. ‘The coming concest over the offices to be provided for by the change of legisiation now actively pusned forward at Aibany is that which exercises the mind of those most interested in the shape which that leg- islation may take, But intimately connected with this question is the no leas absorbing subject on the vacancies accruing tn the coming fali election, when four of the most important oMices in the city govern- ment will become vacant and want @ return oi the present or fresn occupiers. Thus two causes—ono present, the other remote—with all their concomt- tants and ingredients of disruption tend to make the political cauldron bubble, bubble, toll and trouble at an uuexampled rato at this time of the year. Just now it would appear to the uninitiated that the war of politics was waged wholly within the gay and festive circles of “club bails,” ‘“sociabies,” “co. teries,”” “reunions” and the like. It is true a little oi the spirit of the political contest enters into the composition of these parties, with a great deal of personal rivairy after present and prospective popu- larity, whenever in the latter case a fresh racé for office draws nigh, and popularity becomes a power- fulelement to success, Thus we have had numer- ous tests of this politico-social popularity closing so far with the triumphant success of the Richard © B, Connolly’s coterie ou ‘Tuesday Jast, which eclipsed in all respects the best efforts of the aspirants for public recognition and patronage that had pre- viously entered upon this festive arena, But behind all this are the political wireworkers’ game and the leaders’ strategy—apparent to all who know how the politcal cat jumps. Passing over the inevitable struggle referred to, following immediately on the dispensation of power with regard to the Albany commissions and the bills introduced and cer- tain to be passed for the reconstruction of our city boards and commissions, the fall campaign has @ Great deal todo with the present disturbance and perturbation in the democratic camp. ‘18 true, as so clearly and truly expressed by our Albany corres- pondent, that the mutterings and threatenings of a political storm become suddenly calm at times, Feuds and discussions may for atime rule the hour, ‘Te Waves of seeuiiug destruction muy wildly lash against the siup of state, buc wien the moment Which appears most momentous arrives the man who holds the political oan ere in the palm of bus hand has but to appear and exclaim, “beace, suli,” and Were comes insiuutiy a great calm amoug ali the terce political elements. TUE SITUATION. It is currently rumored among the kno wing ones, and generally taken as gospel, vuat tuere are five powerlul muicoutents 10 the weld in opposiiion wo whe imagined policy of the great Peter Bismarck with regard vo the municipal powers, and on whou shall be comierrea the legal aud sole authority of dispensing Lhe patronage svun to be restored to mus uicipal government, These five opponeais to the supposed programme of the Tammany chief are Cougressinan John Fox, Sheruf O’Brien, 8! a- tors Norton aud Geuet, and Police Commissioner M. T. Brenan, great meu and valiant urGotham, This combined power fas entered into au alliance, offensive aud defensive, agaiust the Tammany Oligarchy and its great cniel, and irom one ena of tue city to the over can be ueard the note of preparation for the coming contict. O’Brien and Company (the sherur being always on hand 18 placed here on te trout Tank of the malovatent ciieftuins) demand a, fair share of the patronage—that 1s, of the power of spo- lation—when the times come to enter upon that congenial work, ‘They insist that Sweeney, lall and Co. ure $0 Mlany devouring cormorants, Whuse capa- cious jaws could swallow and hoid all the ofices and fav pickings in the city without a8 much as the licst admonitory symptoms of a cramp; toat tuey have, in fact, boundiess stomachs, a3 Lmpossibie to Lil as auy Ol ourstree? railroad cars or a Browdway stage on a wet day. But lest that, in an uniucky mo- meut, any one vi the Tammany magnates might nov be equal to the emergency of sLowlng away Withoul certam sulfocation the pat. ronage arisimg trom the expulsion of ail the repub- lcaus of boards and commissions, the OBrien baud Of patriots come Lo thei reilel and sa. on dividing tue honors aud the dangers with you.!” Indeed it 18 @ political necessity with tuem. Life or deaih hangs i the balance. Should they be deleated An Uhis struggle, farewell, a long larewell, to alt your gentiemen of the league. Wuere would , Where Norton, where? Echo answers Where—Mat. Breunan, Genet and Fox, tae mein- bers of the anu-Sweeny league? What the gleague. ists Want 1s, lo have all the munictpal appointments placed in the hands of the Mayor, and the two Boards of Aldermen, These voards are the creatures oi the new ring of five, and of course must be subservient to do the ring’s bidding snould they unlortunately be conjoined with tue Mayor in au- thority lo make ali municipal appomtments, A delicate piece of strategy tis. Why, the Mayor might as weil try to **whustie down the wind’ as to mace us voice Of any avail against the dicvum of tue two woards, who would assurealy go toe whole hog with O’Brien and their other patrous. But “catca a weasel usieep,” ag the saying is. Toe Tammany chief has pondered upon ali these things, and while, no doudt, ne will conclliate te “quintete” now singiag Out Of alidemocrauc tune, he will not lc6 them play upon this discoraant narp of tive strings. However wildy speculauion may rise in thecity upon au these vexed questions, a few days more must de- cide them, and uftil tuen we dismiss the subject. THE COMING VACANCY IN THE SHRIVALTY. There are already three powerful competitors in the field for Mr. O'Brien's sioes When he steps out next fall, These are:—Snannon, Clerk of tac Vom- mon Council; Cowman, u Aldermen, and Congressman John Fox. These may be briefly noted thus:—Dignus, dignior, dignissumus, 'Yhe candidates May object to our Comparison, but 1b 1s to be hoped not ty our Latin, THE STREET COMMISSIONERSHIP. @Tbe present genial aud popular George—by the grace of Tammany—Sureet Commissiouer aud so Jorta, will retire in the fali; aud the place thay Knows Lim suai Know lim no more forever, O'srien deserves to be the worthy successor of so worthy @ mao; but whetuer ne 1s gong to geo it by the grace of 1amimany, or by the grace of Tammany to be denied it, remains to be seen, greatly depend upon the complacency of the alore- sald ring, When the ume for making condittous shail have arrived. THE COMPTROLLERSHIP. ¢ Should the politico-social test, ta which we alluded in the openmg of this article, have any cogency when the actual conflict arrives 1t would Dot be in the least premature to predict that Matthew ‘I. would be Lo just where he Is—Comptroiler of tis great city, an oltice which ae has so ably iilled—tor another tec, ‘The foregoing picture of tue political ight is per- fect im the suileat points presented. A few day@ Inay bring about Mmportant changes, Which will be daily noted and laid pefore our readers 1m our next article. SPECIAL POLITICAL NOTES. Political Execution in New York. New York, Jan. 18, 1870. To THE EpITOR OF THE HERALD:— I notice in your ‘Answers to Political Queries” in this morning’s issue the statement, in reply to “Regie,” that “there 1$ no record of an execution for political offences in the history of New York.’? ‘This 19. a mistake. In the reign of James II, in tne year 1689, Jacob Leisler, then a prominent politician in this city, usurped the government uw the absence ot the English governor. He was brought to triat jor treason and found guilty in 1692, and was exe- cuted on the gallows im the present City Hall Park. As the name of “New Amsterdam” was changed to “New York” many years before, when the prov- ice was granted to the Duke of York, on its cession by the Dutch to the English, tt fotiows that Leis! execution was “au execution tor a poiitical offence. an tue history of New York.” HISTURICUS. The’ Jackson (Miss.) Pidol says there was but one vote against the fifteenth amendment in the Missis sippt House of Representatives, Mr. McLeod, of Greene, and none in the Senate. Mississippi makes no bones about getting back into the Union, She has shown backbone on many & previous occasion. A Weatern paper thinks these are the dark(is) days of the republic, The New Haven Register says Governor Jewell ta “out West” and Lieutenant Governor Wayland is tn Europe; so Mr. David Gallup, of Plainfield, the se- nior Senator, is running the gubernatorial machine, pro tem, for @ Week OF two. The Nashvilie Union states that “Hon. John Ww. Leftwich has gone to Washington to renew his con- test for the seat of Representative in Congress from the Memphis district, to which ue was fairly and honestly elected, but Brownlow, who was Governor then, assumed authority to throw out votes and claimed that W. J. Smith was elocted, aud tasued ta, hu the certidcate.” “We lsist Presideat uf the Board of sherit ‘The result wilh ere and that Kichard B. would be ters.