A REASON. ELDER ARIEL F. CARDON. At no time in the world's history has greater stress been laid upon thought and broader fields been offered students for the exercise of it, than exists today. Great colleges are built for the purpose of inculcating to the young the supreme thought of man. Ideas are being exchanged; principles patent to all phases of life, discussed; subjects not known in any other age of the world are brought to light and commented upon by thousands. commensurate with the importance of the occasion: Spencer Clawson, John J. Daly, Priscilla J. Riter, Rachael Siegel, O. J. Salisbury, Richard R. Lyman, Theodore Bruback, Jacob Moritz, Samuel Newhouse, M. M. Kaighn, Charles S. Burton, W. H. Penrose, Alice Moyle, John Clark, W. A. Nelden, J. R. Letcher, Horace G. Whitney, Simon Bamberger, Julia D. Rawlings, C. R. Savage, Elias A. Smith, Annie Adams, E. A. Wall, Byron Groo, John Boyle, William Glasman, Mrs. John E. Bagley, Mrs. William Driver, Thomas D. Dee, Joseph S. Peery, Mrs. M. A. Breeden, Fred J. Kiesel. Jennie Nelson, Henry S. Rolapp, S. S. Jones, Reed Smoot, J. W. N. Whitecotton, C. E. Loose, Sarah A. Boyer, James X. Ferguson, C. H. Blanchard, George Whitmore, Ferdinand Alder, Ferdinand Ericksen, H. N. Hayes, E. W. McDaniel, William H. Clark, J. F. Tolton, C. D. White, W. W. Cluff, Thomas Kearns, John Fisher, E. P. Ellison, F. D. Kimball, George F. Richards, Daniel Heiner, Samuel Francis, Lyman R. Martineau, Joseph C. Knowles, T. C. Callister, J. A. Melville, R. G. Miller, William C. Webb, Tom D. Pitt, I. D. Peters, Abram Hatch, Joseph D. Murdock, Charles Morrell, John H. Fullmer, William Howard, Orange Seeley, Aquila Nebeker, Archibald McKinnon, Harden Bennion, R. S. Collett, Lester Taylor, V. P. Martin, F. A. Hammond, J. M. Cunning-guide to holiness. ham, Edgar L. Clark, John Parry, M. W. Mansfield, Thomas Blackburn, John G. McQuarrie, J. T. Atkins, Jesse W. Crosby, William P. Sargent, Joseph E. Robinson and William T. Stewart. "In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused the seal of the great state of Utah to be hereunto affixed. Done at Salt Lake City the 14th day of July, one thousand eight hun dred and ninety-nine. "J. T. HAMMOND, "Secretary of State." Monarchy for Cuba. Havana, July 4.-La Lucha publishes a statement regarding matters which its conductors say they have been investigating and carefully guarding for several weeks, owing to the reticence of those concerned and the desire of the lat ter to avoid a premature disclosure, leading to a possible failure of their plans. The paper says: "Cuba during the last few months has been a land of many surprises. The latest is the establishment of a royalist party. The new organization is unimportant at present, probably numbering fewer than fifty members, but a well known Cuban general, who claims to be a descendant of Charlemange, is reported to be the head of the party, and the meeting place is usually the Inglaterra cafe. The Cuban general in question is said to be dissatisfied with American rule. He thinks that what Cuba needs is not a republic, but a strong hand at the helm like his own. He is of the opinion that the people of the Latin race prefer royalty and the possible honors accruing under a monarchial regime." The Cuban general referred to is understood to deny that he is the head of the party, but there is considerable evidence that such a movement is on foot. He is the officer who was recently reported to Gen. Brooke for collecting 30 centimes from a Spanish merchant on the ground that it was an assessment for a fund devoted to driving out the intervenors. The world seems to be grasping for higher ideals than heretofore offered, yet never reach them. While thought advances in science, modern Christianity struggles to keep abreast. Its venerated principles are crumbling one by one beneath the feet of scientific research; her cherished hopes are laughed at by skeptics, much to her discomfiture. Her ranks are quaking, for no commander stands firm and immovable. Her intimidating traditions are being undermined and already the people flee from its doomed structure. Why is this? The reasons are deeplaid; they fall upon men who should have been revered and loved by their followers, and who should have been humble and pure that the Spirit of God could have dwelt within them to be a The majority of men are dependent; they look to others to be their leaders in many avenues of life. More especially is this so with religion. From early time tradition, though founded on truth, has perverted its own virtues and mingled errors among her truths. The tenof today dency of the people to rely somewhat upon their religious teachers is the result of tradition of how Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Elijah and all the other great patriarchs and prophets, led the people and instructed them in what God revealed should be for their betterment. Those holy men were inspired, and whatsoever the people did of an evil nature, their leaders rebuked them and commanded repentance; and when the people were humble and faithful and suffered reverses, the prophets suffered with them. Through the ages intervening between then and now men have tried to wield this power, but having rejected the direct communion of the Holy Ghost, they have failed, and having failed, have settled down to tradition as their guide and their leaders as the interpreters. Though their desires were righteous, yet their rejection of the means of bringing righteous results, brought their ruin instead of exaltation and left them unsupported by the certainty of revelation. When evils arose among their people, instead of rebuking them, these pharisaical leaders would mildly reprove and then wink at the hypocrisy manifested. There was no inspiration on what course to pursue, and naturally the words used in rebuke did not have the weight they should have had; therefore the confidence of many of the people was shaken and division was the result. When a difference of opinion arose, instead of being able to submit it to holy men, who in turn would ask in humility of God, they must of a necessity rely upon the traditions of their church. Yet Paul said: "For what man knoweth the things of man save the spirit of man within him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." In the face of this man depended upon his own wisdom in the things of God. so far Martin Luther succeeded in effectually opposing the "infallible" pope. Undoubtedly when he commenced his labors the results achieved were not in his mind; he had not desired to oppose Catholicism; yet when he went that to retreat meant ruin for him, he drew about him his followers, defied the powers of the pope and framed his own teachings to be the means of salvation of hoped for millions in the eternal world. He succeeded in breaking the bands that had been placed around thought, and opening the universe for contemplation by all, with comments to be made as freely as one desired. Catholicism reigned for nearly fourteen hundred years in solitary glory; Protestantism came as a mighty. wave upon its wall. and breaking, ran in hundreds of rivulets to form a maelstrom of thought. Men being released from a religion that confined the mind, took their golden gift and ruthlessly sowed it on the air of doubt. The wind brought in return consternation. Men became dissatisfied, and not being able to confine themselves to the verdicts of others, exercised their agency by abiding by their preconceived ideas and gathering about themselves their followers. Instead of going to God, after having seen the error of the world, and asking His divine guidance, they stubbornly contested with all others and set themselves as their spirits desired. Since Luther, hundreds have dissented, each having the right before God and man to do so. But would this have been so if an apostleship had been on the earth to say, "Thus saith the Lord," and with the influence which would lead obedient children to triumph? Men who know the things of God, know them only by the Spirit of God, and men who strive to know them by the spirit of man fail utterly and lead others into uncertainty. And thus with no surety, no knowledge, no stableness, men have drifted among the ideas of each other. With regard to temporal knowledge, much liberty was allowed, comparatively speaking, so men grew in the knowledge of men, but with the spiritual knowledge, they remain fixed. The religious leaders, however, placed barriers in the way of progress to check any thoughts conflicting with their hoary traditions. Copernicus, Galileo, Bruno and a host of other advanced thinkers were bitterly denounced by them. But these men, rigid in their opinions, stood every test, and now we admire them for their use fulness in advancing the world's intelligence. The faith of the fathers was bounded; to go beyond set dogmas or introduce new thought which would allow broader ideas on divinity, was branded as heresy. When men began to introduce opinions which were at variance with many of the teachings, they were stubbornly contested, but the steady tramp of intellectual progress has drowned the dissenting voices beneath an avalanche of undeniable evidence. Thus, forced to the walls of tradition, she has taken her last stand. Her narrownes is easily seen. There has been no broadening of the fields of study in her hundreds of years of existence; that is, her tenets are crowded and anything derogatory to them cannot be harmonized without denial of her fundamental principles. This many have done, and thereby have lowered themselves in the confidence of the people, for the latter looked upon the teachings as true and therefore eternal. All this has resulted, today, in a pandemonium of religious thought. With nothing to hold to, man has drifted into the dreadful maelstrom. The easy flow of the current on the extreme edge has tempted many. Trembling they went farther, and, being encouraged, grew bold, so throwing off all timidity they have rushed blindly into the meshes where angels would have feared to tread. Their frail crafts have been tossed and bent and strained, but having come out sound, it only gave courage. Farther into the swirling, twisting current they have run; none having gained what was desired, but like phantoms their wishes rode the waves just ahead. With impatience they have plunged after them, and when unable to grasp the prize, have halted for an instant, only to find the current had grown too great and nothing but the surging sea of ideas laid before them upon which they must continue. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints claims, and is ever willing to demonstrate, that in its teachings lies the antidote of all these evils. With inspired apostles, who can again say: "Thus saith the Lord," certainty rests within their hearts. Their leaders are men of God, who direct in and teach the people the plan of universal brotherhood. When a dissenting voice is heard or doctrine advanced on which there is doubt, the grievance is laid before the Lord in prayerfulness and by the Spirit the difficulty is discerned and set aright. There are no bounds to the fields of truth with it. Great men have studied its tenets and arose from their contemplation with a feeling of "Here lies a mystery-something far in advance of this great generation." Principles which it taught in its infancy and which were ridiculed by religious teachers, have since been demonstrated as true. Others are startling to the wise men now, but in due time, will be accepted as correct. AMONG THE ELDERS. BY MARY JANE TALENT. Written for The Southern Star. Cleveland, Tenn., July 17, 1899. Since there has been so much said against the "Mormons" and their teachings, I desire to express through your paper, if you will permit me, a few of that I owe this testimony to my friends my opinions about them, because I feel and to mankind generally. Three months ago I was one with the multitude who ignorantly and unjustly condemned the "Mormon" Elders and their teachings. I looked upon the picture of "Mormonism" as it was painted by the prejudiced and bigoted hand of the deceitful artist, who is given more to cartooning and blackmailing the truth than to explaining and supporting it. I, of course, was influenced by these counterfeit exposures to look upon these people and their doctrines, to say the least, very unfavorably. I was taught to go to the enemies of Mormonism if I would learn their teachings. As well might I have been advised to interview Satan for light on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would get as much truth from one as the other. But I did not depend upon the enemies of these people for my information. The opportunity of entertaining two "Mormon" Elders presented itself to me and I made them welcome. They proved to be perfect gentlemen. They preached at my house and I must admit that I was amazed to hear them explain the Scrip tures from my own Bible. I have talked with the Elders a great deal and they have made the Gospel of Jesus Christ a dim path to a dimmer future, but it is a living reality to me. It is no longer a path of light to a more glorious future a future wherein life is real, "wherein we see as we are seen and know as we are known." It may seem a frank confession, in fact, it is strange to me, but it is the truth, nevertheless, that I never understood my Bible until I had a "Mormon" Elder explain it to me. They don't turn me away with "O, that's too deep for us to understand," when I asked them questions pertaining to the vital matter of my soul and the souls of my children and my relatives. They profess to be servants of God, and I must admit that they are, if plain, simple, harmonious explanations of God's Holy Word is any evidence, because they are able to magnify their profession to the very letter. Although much despised and ill-treated by the leaders of thought in general, it still has acted as a little leaven. The weight of its teachings has grown greater and its presence felt until it has achieved many fond anticipations. Many Nicodemuses have opened the "Mormon" books in secret and have advanced the I can say conscientiously that I thank ideas gleaned therefrom to the world in the Lord that I have met the "Mormon" another garb. Yet it is still bearing the Elders. They have opened my eyes on stamp of truth. It has hammered on the the Scriptures and given me more light doors of progress, and, as a result, has on the Gospel than ever before shone in I do not regret that I have been heard, though not admitted because my mind. fed and lodged these men, because I of prejudice. Thus has it caused the know that the Lord has blessed me since. teachings of many churches to be changed and set in conformity with the This is no falsehood; if you doubt my enlightenment of the world. It comes as a life-boat. It rides the waves of the maelstrom of thought. Its search-light is unlimited in its fields of study, and over the dark billows of ideas, with all the brilliancy of truth, it streams in glory and calls, as onward it goes, to the strugglers to come and enjoy its grandeurs. Here and there sinking soul, rising and falling with the waves, lifts his voice, and amid rejoicing, is taken to rest from the endless chase among the ideas of men, upon the ship of Eternal Truth. a "There never was a good war or a bad peace."-Benjamin Franklin. word write to me and get my testimony in my own handwriting. And I would say to all, if you want your potatoes and beans, bread and butter, to "draw interest," just feed and lodge some of these humble "Mormon" Elders. If you want a good, happy surprise, get one of these Elders to explain to you the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just ask them some of the questions that your ministers say are too deep for understanding, and they will take you to the bottom of the deep and reveal to you beautiful pearls of glad tidings, just as a servant of God ought to do. I am not a "Mormon," but I can't say what I may be. I am going to continue to investigate the Gospel and if the Word of God points out to me in the future, as it has in the past, that "Mormonism" is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, don't be surprised if I bid farewell to the world and join the kingdom of God. I want my soul saved; my persecutors and enemies cannot give me the blessings of life eternal, and they don't bother me one bit. Our blessed Savior suffered persecutions and so also did His followers, and I feel to suffer with Ilim if I may be glorified no better than they were. I am willing with Him. And if it takes "Mormonism" to save me in the kingdom of God, I'll become a "Mormon." I'd rather be a despised "Mormon" and in the kingdom of God, than a popular, well reputed Christian banished from His presence. Let me say to all who want to learn of "Mormonism," go to its teachers, and not to those who are enemies or traitors. We wouldn't want to go to Scribes and Pharisees, neither to Judases for information on the Gospel-and you will feel as I feel, that Mormonism is noth ing but good, sound, practical Gospel Truth. Un-American. BY ELDER CHARLES PETTIT. Written for The Southern Star. Two humble Elders entered Overton, Owen county, Kentucky, June 17 for the purpose of distributing tracts and conversing upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The court house was tendered them and about forty or fifty men assembled. The meeting had not been in session over ten minutes when eggs began falling and striking all around the Elders. The sheriff sat "silently taking it in," but made no attempt to defend the Elders nor to execute his duty as an officer. He was asked by the Elders to have quietude restored, but the only reply was, "If I hadn't been here it would have been worse." This is the class of people who are crying against the "ignorant, deluded Mormons." When we hear of such inhuman, un-American, ungodly acts, feel to say as did our Master to His murderers, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do." True Missionary Spirit. we We are in receipt of a letter from Elder Don. C. Benson, of the North Kentucky Conference, in which he relates some interesting facts regarding his labors. In the following positive language he expresses his desire to fill an honorable mission: "I feel weak in the efforts I put forth, but am not discouraged, and pray that I may ever be hopeful. My desire is to stay and fill an honorable mission; for this purpose I left my loved ones in Zion. I never want it said that I returned home without an honorable release, for I could never be satisfied." This is the spirit all ministers of Christ should carry with them. We are not here on our own business; we are not here to appease any selfish desire, but we are here as representatives of the Chruch of Jesus Christ and our duty is to our God. Elder C. W. Burnham writes of his travels since coming into the missionary field. When first he came into the south he labored in the Chattanooga Conference, but his health failing him, he was transferred to the Virginia Conference. While there his labors have been among the Saints, encouraging them in the Gospel. In an experience with a minister the words of Paul, "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise," were forcefully exemplified. REPORT OF MISSION CONFERENCES FOR WEEK ENDING JULY 1, 1899. THE CONFEDERATE DEAD. Five weeks ago I came to the city of Columbus a stranger and you took me in. Naked, and you clothed me with a garment of Athomeitiveness. Hungry, and you fed me with sweets, from your social natures of which the southern heart is so full. Thirsty, and you gave me to drink of the milk of human kindness. My pen utterly fails me to tell of the many kindnesses of the people of this old-fashioned, beautiful city, and its oldfashioned beautiful tender hearted sympathetic people. As I awoke out of a sweet, refreshing sleep on the beautiful morn of the 26th. I found a little sunbeam that had been waiting patienuy, I know not how long to welcome me. It could not reach me where I lay, I just slipped quietly out of my bed and stood near where the sweet little sunbeam could give me its morning kiss of welcome. And, as I moved away, it seemed as if trembling in its anxiety to reach me. My heart whispered me to say, why dear little sunbeam, how sweet you look this morning. I am glad you do, for today you have a special mission, not a cloud to obstruct, for you kissed them away on your journey here. Today you are to kiss the cheeks of the devoted living. To kiss away the tear drops, that you will find lingering in sympathy, upon the faces of fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters and sweethearts, of those who have passed away, and are here resting at their feet, covered with flowers that willing hands and hearts have placed there, and the dear little sunbeam kissing all this. Keep away, dear old gray clouds, this is Sunbeam day. I seemed to hear as I walked in upon this hallowed ground, where sweetly sleep so many heroes that wore the gray. Through the valleys and ravines, up the hills where shot and shell fell thick and fast and furious, led by such sweet, modest, sympathetic, easily moved to tears, gentle, yet heroic, lion-hearted men, who never knew what fear meant, with hearts full of country, home and mother. Lee, Johnson, and Jackson. In the hearts of the people of the north, there is a warm spot for these sweet names. The world loves a hero, and all good men love to whisper the names of these heroes of the south, the heroes of Dixie. How devotedly dear old Columbus loves her heroes. The poor privates in the ranks, without the decorations of gold, or tinsel, but with hearts full of love for God, and country, poured out upon the mellow soil of his boyhood home, that first heard the patter of his childish feet, echoed his first sweet child ish laughter, his warm heart blood, for today the stain is upon the soil of his own native hills, where he first saw the light of day, where he first heard mother's voice, heard the first sweet childish laughter, his warm heart's blood, for today the stain is upon the soil of his own native hills. This beautiful Memorial Day morning, after the little sunbeam's welcome, I resolved to decorate the graves of the confederate dead. A soft whisper seemed to say, why you do not know them! No, I replied, but God knows them, and that is sufficient. How I would like to have had roses from my native hills in the north, to place upon the graves of the sleeping heroes in gray. God bless the Blue, God bless the Gray, I often wonder can these dead heroes see the sweet flowers that willing hands have spread in profusion upon their graves. Can they smell the sweet perfume of those flowers of every hue? Can they hear the humming of the little busy bees among the sweet flowers? Can they hear the bird's sweet song, the music of the gentle zephyrs through the trees, can they see the white-haired father, and mother, there beside the grave of one they loved so devotedly in life, and yet love their boy hero sleeping away the years. Here, near him, stands the devoted mother who bore him, she who suckled him with the warm milk from her loving breast, that made the little limbs so round and creasy, the cheeks so fat, and painted there the red rosy tint. With these same arms she pressed you to her bosom, in love and tenderness. She and God alone watched you, many many times, while others slept. These same arms held you when your little feet first touched the carpet. It was she who caught the first mamma your infant lips whispered, and how it cheered her fond heart. She was patient with when cross, tenderly nursed you when sick, and the first to teach you that dear old prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep." Taught the first song. How you often she heard you say your little prayer at her knee, kissed you good night and tenderly tucked you in. How eagerly she watched you as you grew from boyhood to manhood, following you all along the way with her prayers. And when her country called for heroes to defend it, how willingly she gave to her dear Dixie all she had to give, her darling boy. I saw little family gatherings here Lincolnton Dickson 2 Bristol..... Nashville. 2 Princeton. Sharp 6 Ackerman Tennessee. Georgia. Montgomery.... Alabama. Louisville Kentucky. and there, and the scene touched my heart. Though born and bred in dear old New York, and against you in that terrible struggle from '61 to '65, I carried my roses to your cemetery, and decorated the graves of your dead heroes, who wore the gray. The graves on which I laid a rose were privates all, with but two exceptions, Gen. Paul J. Semmes and Col. R. T. Pride. As I laid each rose gently down, I said: Dear dead heroes, I do not know you, but God does. I saw a beautiful picture. I wonder did I dream it, or is it true. Under a tall pine, rearing its majestic head to heaven, and with its needles for their bed, lay two young heroes mortally wounded, clasping each other's hand. One wore the blue, the other the gray. The boy in gray reached out his right hand, the hand of fellowship. The boy in blue clasped it warmly-yet feebly, for life was fast ebbing with his left, the hand nearest the heart. The sun, like a great monarch, was going to his rest. The eyes of each of these boyish heroes were closed. Me thinks they could see the veil being lifted by some angel hand, mother's may be, that separated earth with its cares, from Heaven with its eternal pleasures. The lips of each were moving one in the far away north, where the tall pines rear their heads to Heaven, and bow beneath the weight of perpetual snow. The gray for loved ones of the sunny south, where blooms the magnolia and orange, and where the warm wind fans the brow of the pale invalid. Each were saying some little prayer mother taught them. Methinks a little band of angels hovered near, gazing with radiant faces upon the picture, waiting to carry the prayers of blue or gray, so like a song, back to Him who said: "Suffer them to come unto me." And as the last rays of sunlight are fading away, these two boy heroes fell asleep. Hand in hand they followed in the trail of God's sunlight and softly faded away. Sleep on, dead heroes, it will not be long when the few who are left will join you around the great camp fire, on the banks of the ever-flowing river over there. There will be no blue and no gray, but one common Father over all, and where there will be no empty sleeves, no empty pants legs, and where all will find a sweeter Dixie, than they ever knew be fore. EUGENE GREENE. Columbus, Ga., April 27, 1899. The first Twenty-fourth of July celebration in Utah was, in effect, a Fourth of July celebration. The reasons for holding the celebration on the 24th instead of on the 4th of July are not generally known. Two Good Reasons. The Frontier Guardian, a paper published twice each month by Orson Hyde, at Kanesville, Ia.., in its issue of Sept. 19, 1849, says: "Our people celebrated the 24th of July instead of the 4th for two reasons-one was because that was the day on which Brother Young and the pioneers first entered the valley, and the other was, they had little or no bread, or flour to make cakes, etc., that early, and not wishing to celebrate on empty stomachs they postponed it until their harvest came in." In the spring of 1849 the community of Salt Lake City was put on short rations. The harvest of 1849 saved the people from a continuance of the famine caused by the destruction of the crops by the grasshoppers in 1848. Orson Hyde was an Apostle of the "Mormon" Church. He published his paper at Kanesville, one of the resting places of the "Mormon" people in their migration westward. This latter reason for holding a celebration on the 24th is also adverted to in the speech of President Young on that occasion. The speech as reported at the time is reprinted below, and will repay careful reading. It will be fifty years ago next Monday since the first celebration of the Twenty-fourth of July was held in Salt Lake City. That day, July 24, 1849, was the second anniversary of the arrival of the Pioneers in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake in 1847. The first regular company had arrived on July 24, 1847, preceded by a band of explorers on July 21. On the 24th day President Brigham Young, lying ill in the wagon of Apostle Wilford Woodruff, had viewed for the first time, from the summit of Emigration canyon, the valley of the great Salt Lake. As the great pioneer looked out upon the lonely valley the sun; it glistened in the rays of BRIGHAM YOUNG IN 1858. animal, no plant even can live in the gloomy accounts of the explorers, whose did not fall; despite the warnings and What Pioneers Thought. this moment. But the hearts of many of the pioneers sank within them at the thought of remaining in this desert valley. Said Har riet Young: "Weak and weary as I am, I would rather go a thousand miles further than remain in this desolate place." Ellen Kimball, her sister pioneer, felt likewise. Clara D. Kimball, another lady pioneer, has said in later years: "It did not look so dreary to me as it did to the other ladies. They were terribly disappointed because there were no trees. My poor mother was almost heart-brokI don't remember a tree that could be called a tree." There was a scrub oak or a cottonwood here and there, but the general outlook was dreary and disheartening. en. Green grass was found northward toward the lake on the bottoms. The drier places swarmed with crickets. On July 23 the advance party under Orson Pratt, began to plow preparatory to putting in their crops, George W. Brown, William Carter, Levi Kendall and Bishop Taft being the first to break the sod. The later history is generally known here. With infinite toil the streams of water were led from the mountain sides to moiston the dry earth so that the grain would grow. This was the beginning of the system of irrigation which has redeemed the habitable portion of the Great American desert, making it fertile and fruitful as it has become in later years. About midday, or early in the afternoon of July 24, 1847, President Young and his party arrived at the camp made the day before by the advance party of exploration on the banks of City creek. It was this event that caused the day to be set apart as a day on which to commemorate the arrival of the pioneers into the valleys of Utah. on on horseback, in military uniform, brass band, twelve Bishops, bearing the banner of their wards; twenty-four young men dressed in white, with white scarfs their shoulders and coronets their heads, each carrying in their right hands the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States and swords sheathed in their left hands; one of them carrying a beautiful banner, inscribed on it "The Zion of the Lord.' Twenty-four young ladies dressed in white, with white scarfs on their right shoulders, and a wreath of white roses on their heads, each carrying a Bible and a Book of Mormon; and one carrying a very neat banner, 'Hail to Our Chieftain.' Newel K. Whitney, Bishop; Thomas Bullock, clerk; John Smith, Patriarch; Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Charles C. Rich, Daniel Spencer, Willard Richards, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, Erastus Snow, D. Fulmer, Willard Snow. Twelve Bishops, carrying flags of their wards. Twenty-four Silver Greys, led by Isaac Morley, Patriarch, each having a staff, painted red on the upper part, and branch of white ribbon fastened at the top, one of them carrying the flag of the Stars and Stripes, and the inscription, 'Liberty and Truth.' "The Met in the Bowery. a Come, ye Christians, sect and Pagan, Come ye to fair freedom's feast. Come, ye sons of doubt and wonder, Lo! our King! the Great Messiah, "After the above had been sung by the twenty-four young men and young ladies Mr. Phineas Richards came for ward in behalf of the twenty-four aged sires in Israel, and read their address, congratulating President Young on the anniversary of this day. At the conclusion of which the multitude arose and shouted three times 'Hosannah, Hosannah, Hosannah to God and the Lamb, forever and ever, amen. President Young leading, while the banners were waved by the Bishops. The band next played a lively air. Mr. Bullock then rose and read the following: Ode to Liberty. Fairest spirit of the skies, Fairest child of Paradise, Now Columbia's lawful prize, Glorious Liberty! house at 9 o'clock. The young men and For thy sake our heroes fought, Thee our bleeding patriots bought, Precious Liberty! street-the cannons kept up one continual roar the musketry rolled-the Nauvoo bell pealed forth its silvery notes-and the air filled with the sweet Never, never, cease to wave strains of the brass band playing a slower the ashes of the brave! Shield, oh shield the patriots' grave, march. On arriving at the bowery, the Flag of Liberty. A complete account of the first celebration of the 24th is contained in the Fron- Hosannah to God and the Lamb,' escort was received with loud shouts of tier Guardian of Sept. 19, 1848. The acwhich made the air reverberate. While count is so interesting and so comprehen-residents Young, Kimball and Richsive that it is here reprinted entire from that early publication. The First Celebration. (From the Frontier Guardian.) "July 24 being the anniversary of the arrival of President Young and Kimball, with the pioneers in the valley, the inhabitants were awoke by the firing of cannon, accompanied by music; the brass band playing martial airs, were then carried through the city in two carriages, returning to the bower by 7 o'clock. The bower is a building 100 feet long by 60 feet wide, built on 104 posts, and covered with boards; but, for the services of this day, a canopy or awning was extended about 100 feet from each side of the bower, to accommodate the vast multitude at dinner. "At half past seven the large national flag, measuring 65 feet in length, was unfurled at the top of Liberty Pole, which is 104 feet high, and was saluted with the firing of six guns, the ringing of the Nauvoo bell, and spirit-stirring airs from the band. "At eight o'clock the multitude were called together by the firing of guns and music, the Bishops of the several wards arranging themselves in the sides of the aisle, with the banner of their wards unfurled, each bearing some appropriate inscription. Order of Procession. "At a quarter past eight the Presidency of the Stake, twelve, and bands went to prepare the escort in the following order, at the house of President Brigham Young, under the direction of Lorenzo Snow, J. M. Grant and F. D. Richards. "Horace S. Eldredge, marshal, on ards, John Smith, Newel K. Whitney and Thomas Bullock were proceeding down the aisle, loud cheers were given and Hail to the Governor of Deseret.' On being seated by the committee on the stand, the escort passed around the assembly singing a hymn of praise, when they also marched down the aisle and were seated in double rows on both sides. The vast multitude were called to order by J. M. Grant, and when they were seated Mr. Erastus Snow offered a prayer of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. "Richard Ballantyne, one of the twenty-four young men, then came forward to the stand, his coronet glittering as if with rubies, and in a neat speech presented the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States in a respectful manner, to President Young, which was received with three deafening shouts, led on by President Young, of 'May it live forever and ever. "The Declaration of Independence was then read by Erastus Snow, after which the band struck up a lively air. "Mr. Bullock then arose and read the following, entitled "The Mountain Standard,' composed by P. P. Pratt: Lo the Gentile chain is broken, See amid these Rock mountains Zion's standard wide unfurled Far above Missouri's fountain, Lo! it waves for all the world. Freedom, peace, and full salvation, Are the blessings guaranteed; Liberty to every nation, Every tongue and every creed. All may freely worship God, Should expression ever dare Sooner than to bondage yield, Sung by Silver Greys. "The foregoing ode was then sung by the twenty-four Silver Greys to the tune of 'Bruce's Address to His Army.' "Mr. John Young being called to the stand, said he was rejoiced to stand before the congregation to speak a few words on Liberty and Truth. His remarks were pointed, animated and illus trative. re "Mr. C. C. Rich then arose and viewed the scenes of the past two years, from the entrance of the Presidency and the pioneers into the valley, and clearly showed that we all enjoyed liberty and freedom and the pursuit of happiness, as guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence. "Mr. Heber C. Kimball was much edified by the transactions of this day, and felt the same as John Young said when he spoke and related the account of Father Young's going into the state of Missouri, who, being met by a band of robbers, would have been killed for be ing a 'Mormon;' but on account of the uncertainty of it, they robbed him, and told him to put for Illinois, and related the account of his persecution and death. Mr. Kimball stated that there had been some persons in this valley who had been boasting of their shooting Hyrum Smith, and would have shot Brother Brigham and himself if they could; but he thanked |