Remarks on Chartered Rights

It will be seen by the inaugural address of Gov. Ford, that our city charters are considered objectionable, by his excellency, on many accounts; but particularly on account of the 'powers granted.' He states tkat [that] the people of the State have become aroused on the subject and anxiously desire that those charter s should be modified, so as to give the inhabitants of the city of Nauvoo no greater privileges than those enjoyed by others of our fellow citizens.' The House of Representatives have taken up the subject and many of the Honorable members feel very desirous to take from us our chartered rights. We insert the whole of the particulars pertaining to this discussion as published in the Sangamo Journal of Dec. 15.

Now it does and always has appeared strange to us that such a feverish excitement and such a continuous dogged jealousy should exist on the minds of community pertaining to us as a people; and more particularly that such feelings should be cherished by honorable members; and that opportunities should be sought to misrepresent us, and to speak evil of our religion, in the Senate chamber, and in the Legislative hall.

If indeed we as a people do possess peculiar, exclusive privileges: if we have violently, or fraudulently taken from any men their rights; if we have refused to be subject to any legal enactments; if we have transcended the bounds of our chartered privileges; or violated the Constitution of the State, or that of the United States; we refuse not to be dealt with legally, fairly, and constitutionally: but if we have broken no law, and have kept within the limits of our chartered rights, and those rigts [rights] are not exclusive; we throw ourselves under the banner or our great republic; we stand proudly erect, and proclaim ourselves American citizens; we claim the rights of the free sons of Columbia; we rest under the shade of our glorious Constitution; the broad folds of which we trust, will secure us from the power or religious bigots, and fanatics; the hand of persecution, and the power of tyranny and despotism.

His Excellency seems to think that our charters are 'objectionable on many accounts; but particularly on account of the powers granted.' What the many things are that are objectionable we are at a loss to know, as we have never observed them in the city charter; nor have honorable members who have discussed this subject, informed us of them; we have heard a great deal said about exclusive rights, and extraordinary powers; but we have never yet been shown where those powers exist; and unless we have more light thrown upon the subject than has yet been made manifest, we must remain ignorant. Our city Charter grants us the privilege of electing our own Mayor, City Council, Aldermen, Marshall and Constables; of creating all offices and making all laws that shall be considered for the benefit, well being, peace and happiness of the city of Nauvoo, 'not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States or of this State.'

Is there any thing objectionable in this? any powers that a duly advised Senator, or Legislator, would deprecate? or that a philanthropist or republican would not subscribe to? We have, too, our charter for the Nauvoo Legion, University, and Agricultural Society.

As it regards the first of these, we say that it is equipped, officered, and organized, in a manner that not only does credit to the city of Nauvoo, but to the State of Illinois; and is acknowledged by all who have seen its numbers, uniform and discipline, and witnessed its evolutions, to be one of the most efficient military bodies in

this state; have they transcended their power, been negligent in their duties, or violated the law? They have not. We ask then, would it be wise? would it be politic? would it be consonant with the feeling of enlightened republicans? and more especially of the intelligent citizens of Illinois, to trample under foot this mantle of protection: this shield of defence [defense]; and sacrifice at the shrine of religious bigotry, party spirit, and idle rumor, a band of patriots, who have voluntarily proffered their services to their country, at their country's call? rather let us imitate their example; then should we have a military force that would bid defiance to all aggressors: whose banners would float proudly, and triumphantly throughout the land; and whose prowess and military power, would become a proverb throughout the Union. Their voluntary action, take proficiency that they have made in military tactics, if found among other citizens, than the Mormons, would be lauded to the skies; they would be hailed as patriots; as highminded [high-minded] philanthropists, and as honorable men; but because they are found in Nauvoo, shall narrow bigotry, and religious persecution (without evidence) brand them as designing persons and traitors to their country? No! says our Constitution; No! says the Constitution of the United States; No! reiterates every patriot and republican! for at such conduct the Godess [Goddess] Liberty would weep; and of such proceedings even the monarchs of Europe would be ashamed.

Concerning our charters for a University and an Agricultural and Manufactoring [manufacturing] Society; we presume that there are not any of the intelligent inhabitants of the State of Illinois who would upon mature deliberation, wish for such a thing as their repeal. The first has a tendency to refine the mind, enlarge the intellect, and promote learning, literature and science; while the second has a tendency to increase our resources, improve our agriculture, encourage home manufacture, and be a source of wealth, not only to Nauvoo, but to the surrounding country and to the State. Is there any thing objectionable in this? or would it be consonant with the highminded [high-minded], the energetic, and the intelligent citizens of Illinois to proscribe learning, science, trade and agriculture?

But we are very gravely told that the people of the State have become aroused, and anxiously desire thut [that] those charters should be repealed, or modified; and one of the honorable members, Mr. Hicks, is so zealous to fulfill the wishes of his constituents, that he wishes them annulled, root and branch, immediately; without reference, without testimony, without examination, without evidence, and in the absence of any positive knowledge of whether they were right or wrong: as if we were on the eve of some fearful event, thought that 'the House could not be better employed now than in voting these charters all down.' And what is the reason assigned by honorable members for this unprecedented course of conduct? That the interests of the community require it, and that it is the wish of their constituents to have this business despatched immediately; that they may have ample evidence that they are doing their duty.

With all deference, however, to the opinions of his Excellency, and that of honorable members, who have spoken on this subject; we would beg leave to differ with them in relation to the views that are entertained by the citizens of this State generally, and particularly by the intelligent portion of them.

That a prejudice exists in certain sections of the country, where they have no means of attaining information concerning us and our proceeding;s but through the false statements, the vile abuse, and the published detraction and slander (principally of a religious nature,) that is found in the columns of the Sangamo Journal, the Quincy Whig, and other publications of a similar kind, we are free to admit; but that this feeling is general; that it arises from any extraordinary powers that we possess, or from an abuse of our chartered privileges, we think cannot be sustained; and we trust that there will be found a respectable majority of honorable members, within the walls of the Legislative hall that will sustain the liberal and enlightened views of the Hon Mr. McClernand, that 'he was in favor of giving the Mormons equal rights . He was satisfied that they had been persecuted; that great efforts had been made to get up an excitement against them; and that they had as much right to protect on as any other sect. He did not believe that the charter of Nauvoo contained any greater powers than had been granted to other cities.'

" The people of Illinois ," feel highly exasperated at us, and desire a repeal of our charter!!! It cannot be possible; what have we done to them that they should desire it? At a time when the interests of the State have been declining;-when in consequence of foolish, and wild legislative enactments the State has been overwhelmed in debt, so that there seems to be no alternative left, but that of a dishonorable repudiation;-at a time when many of the citizens have left the State in consequence of a burthensome [burdensome] taxation;-at a time when our banks have become insolvent, and our credit

destroyed, when our wisest men had stood confounded, and have not known what method to adopt to save the State from ruin. While all hearts have fainted the Mormons have been pouring in a flood of emigration, which is unprecedented in the history of this State; and with that emigration a proportionate increase of wealth;-they have built up a city which bids fair soon, to be the largest city in the west. They have converted a desolate waste into fields and gardens; they have enhanced the value of property, for many miles around Nauvoo, tenfold; they have created a market that takes in a great portion of the surplus produce, that is raised within thirty and forty miles of Nauvoo; and in the city of Nauvoo alone (which three years ago was a barren waste) their city and couuty [county] tax amounts to upwards of four thousand dollars, (as per last assessment:) they have commenced some splendid buildings, that in point of magnitude, architectural design, elegant workmanship, and splendid appearance, will rival or outvie any buildings in the west, and will be an ornament to the State of Illinois; and they have also raised a large independent military body which does honor to the State, and is one of its strongest defences [defenses]; they are making arrangements to manufacture pottery that will equal the finest porcelain ware; that now have to be imported from England, at an enormous expense; and have it in contemplation to manufacture iron and also cotton, silk, and woolen goods: and is this as injury to the citizens of Illinois? The Mormons have also maintained as good morals, and there have been as few delinquencies among them, as among the same number of people in this, or any other State in the Union.-Can it be possible then that " the people of Illinois " should desire to proscribe our privileges? We believe not. The Mormons as Mr. McClernand states "have been persecuted," and political demagogues, religious bigots, and partisan papers, have fanned the flame, and made dishonorable use of religious prejudice for political effect; but do these men call themselves "the people of Illinois." Will that honorable body of men composing the Legislative Assembly be governed by such illiberal views; or will the respectable and enlightened portion of the inhabitants of this State subscribe to such narrow contracted, bigoted, and antirepublican [anti-republican] views? God forbid! we believe they will not.

The following from the Chicago Democrat sustains us in our remarks, pertaining to slander and persecution: