-remember that." Some remark of that kind is always made when the subject is referred to.

and the waverers have been convinced. "What will they say in England?" said a Senator to me triumphantly the other day. "Why should they say anything?" I asked him ;-but it will be partly to scare Great Britain, partly to please Russia, that the treaty will be ratified. The Americans have an

"Lobbying" is even said to be going on now at Washington in relation to the Russian Treaty. That would lead to the inference that some one besides the Emperor of Russia is to profit by the sale of all these icebergs and Es-imaginary love for Russia, and they quimaux. The Senate, it now ap- would not like to throw her bargain, pears, is likely to ratify the treaty. offered at "an alarming sacrifice," There have been long private dis- back to her.-New York Correspondent cussions by that body on the subject, of the Times.

THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS' MILLENNIAL STAR.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1867.

CORRUPTIONS OF UNITED STATES OFFICIALS.

VENALITY of the "Press" in America is proverbial, and we attach but little importance to the publications of their leading periodicals, unless disclosures of corruptions existing in that once happy Republic, are the topics under consideration. Revelations that are made concerning fraud, waste, and wholesale plunderings of the General Government and State Treasuries, are comparatively reliable; but the half of it has not been told, neither can language portray the gross sensuality and moral turpitude prevailing among Government employes. Customs officers reap rich harvests off travellers, defraud the Government daily, and violate, under the plea of "mental reservation," their oaths of office; this has become quite popular since the war. Candidates for seats in the Legislature of their respective States, coolly calculate dollars and cents, and if the office be a lucrative one, the means expended to obtain an unbiased election increase in the same ratio.

We heard a Congressman state on oath, that the members of the House of Representatives would pass any bill he chose to introduce, and named thirtytwo which he had presented to that honorable(?) body, all of which, through the Congressional chicanery practised, passed with scarcely an alteration. Degrading to our country as the truth may appear, yet this legislator unblushingly unfolded the modus operandi of engineering a Bill through our immaculate Congress. When he took his seat in the House of Representatives at Washington, he soon found that nothing could be accomplished for his constituents, unless a sacrifice, mete for the powers that be, was placed on the altar. The known proclivities of several prominent members in Congress, induced him to purchase a "barrel of Old Rye," which, through the good offices of the Ser

EDITORIAL.

377 geant-at-Arms, was introduced conveniently near to afford liquid relief to those who indulged in red hot speeches, which chiefly consisted of patriotic(?) encomiums on the great country of which their State form no insignificant portion. The honorable gentleman(?) boasted that in this manner he gained the reward of merit, although he was never known, during his whole term of office, to deliver a speech in favor of, or against measures introduced for the consideration of the House.

We now refer our readers to other columns of the STAR, where they will find an extract from the Times. It is our intention to quote a few sentences from this article:-" At no time within the last dozen years have there been ten men in the Senate, or thirty in the Assembly, who would vote spontaneously, or upon principle, for a city railroad grant, or for any scheme of a personal character, or intended for the benefit of individuals. In every instance where such legislation has been obtained, money in hand has been paid for certain votes, and a contingent interest secured a still greater number." These statements refer to the corruptions existing in the State Legislature of New York; but they are equally applicable to the Senate and House of Representatives at Washington. Day after day we have been in the Halls of Congress, and have seen men vote who were paying no attention whatever to the question pending, only casting their eyes to some leader who acted as monitor, and his aye or no formed the political conscience of scores who legislate for the weal or woe of our country.

Why is this? Have Americans, in less than a century, become more corrupt than the inhabitants of the Old World? Are they forsaken by that God who revealed the glorious Constitution which made that a land of freedom to all men? It is written (Book of Mormon, page 53)-"Yea, the Lord hath covenanted this land unto me and my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, I Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land, save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord. Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound, cursed shall be the land for their sakes; but unto the righteous it shall be blessed for ever."

What people are unacquainted with the persecutions to which the Latterday Saints have been subjected by almost every State in the Union? Especially were they favored with the bitterest hatred of the States of New York, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa, which passed a sentence of universal ostracism on the Saints, driving them from their borders with fire and sword, in defiance of the laws of God and man; but not in opposition to the remonstrances of the General Government. And when the leaders of this downtrodden people asked for bread to feed the starving thousands who wandered on the praires of Iowa, they were answered by the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry. Then our cause was pleaded before the Chief Magistrate of our common country, and his memorable answer, "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you," fell sweet on the ears of the Saints, for God had de

378

MINUTES OF THE MANCHESTER CONFERENCE.

clared, if he (the President) refuse you justice, “I will come out of my hiding place, and vex the nation with a sore vexation."

RELEASE.—Elder William H. Scott, Travelling Elder in the Hull Conference, is released from his labors with permission to emigrate.

BRIGHAM YOUNG, JUN.

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Isles and adjacent countries.

MINUTES OF A

CONFERENCE

HELD IN THE TEMPERANCE HALL, GROSVENOR STREET, MANCHESTER,

APRIL 21, 1867.

rities of the Church. Showed that Joseph Smith was called of God to commence the latter-day work, and that he sealed his testimony with his blood. That Brigham Young was also called by revelation to the position he

Present on the Stand-Orson Pratt | their willingness to sustain the authoand F. D. Richards, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; A. Miner, President of the Manchester District; L. G. Rice, President of the Manchester Conference; R. Benson, President of the Preston Conference, and Elders W. B. Preston, G. H. Van Schoon-occupied, and that the Twelve, Sevenhoven, and G. D. Watt.

10 a.m. Opened with singing. Prayer by Elder Rice, who made a few remarks expressing his good feelings at meeting with the Saints, and his thankfulness to them for their kindness to him while laboring amongst them.

Elder Schoonhoven briefly reported his labors as Travelling Elder in the Conference, stating that there was a good spirit among the people, and the meetings were well attended.

Elder Rice read the Financial Report, which was accepted, and gave some instructions to the Saints, and particularly the Branch Presidents, upon the necessity of exerting themselves to emigrate, as he had no faith in men who would teach the people to gather, and not strive to do so themselves.

Elder Miner called the attention of the Branch Presidents to the importance of properly making up their accounts and reports, and invoked the blessing of God upon the proceedings of the Conference.

ties, &c., were all called of God. Directed their attention to the great work performed under the direction of President Young, in the peopling of the valleys of Utah, the building of more than a hundred towns and cities, with their school-houses, public buildings, &c., the erection of a telegraph running through the whole Territory, and the converting of a desert into a fruitful field. He then presented the Authorities of the Church, who were unanimously sustained in the usual

Elder Miner introduced Elder G. D. Watt as the first person who received the Gospel in England, and who had recently arrived from Útah.

Elder Watt gave an interesting account of affairs in Utah; the country, climate, productions, and condition of the people; contrasting the comfort, peace, and prosperity prevailing there, Elder O. Pratt addressed the Saints with the misery, poverty, and many upon the privilege afforded them of evils prevailing in this country. Showlifting up their hands as a token ofed the folly and falsehood of the evil

CORRESPONDENCE.

CORRESPONDENCE.

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