Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 9/Bishop Partridge

BISHOP PARTRIDGE.

Many of the saints are acquainted with this individual, and none, I presume, will hesitate to say, that the longer the acquaintance the more desirable the society. If this world produces a plain man, it is bishop Partridge. I do not mean particular plainness of dress, though he is truly an ensample of prudence and economy in all his temporal avocations, but of speech, precept, example and doctrine. Neither do I suppose that a commendation from my pen will have the effect to alter one hair "from black to white;" but from the knowledge of the persecution and personal abuse which has been heaped upon him, I am prepared to say, that if a man was ever persecuted for righteousness' sake, without casting an anxious look back to the applause of the world and the flattery of the great, it is bishop Partridge. I perfectly remember the 20th of July, 1833, when the Jackson county mob demolished the office of the Star, and vented their vile mania still further by dragging this worthy citizen from his residence, and the peaceful enjoyment of his family, and exposed him almost naked upon the public square, and defiled his body with tar and feathers.

No American citizen can read the account of that shameful violation of the laws, without blushing for the depravity of the human heart. But what stuns the ear still more, is that this persecution did not end here. Lawless marauders always fear justice and tremble at the approach of retribution and to avoid either, this banditti, like a gang of infernals, prosecuted their purpose until TWELVE HUNDRED individuals were deprived of their homes in the inclement season of winter!

The question immediately arises, where are they now? Some in one county and some in another—literally scattered to the four winds! but the greatest body have made their escape among a more hospitable community—a community who love the name and essence of liberty, and are willing that all should enjoy it.

It should borne in mind, that these inhabitants could not carry their land with them, and being driven from their hard reared and hard earned crops, were driven to extremes to procure food and raiment. But a relation of this occurrence would transcend my limits for the present. It may be asked, where are those people now, and what are their circumstances? The answer is at hand they are still deprived of their homes, needy and destitute.

Bishop Partridge, in company with Elder Isaac Morley, who is known to many saints, is now on his way to the east. It is to be hoped that the benevolent and philanthropic will open their hearts and donate liberally for the benefit of those who have been so inhumanly dispossessed of their homes.—Surely, I know not of more responsible men than these two, into whose hands relief may be placed. May those who have abundance, remember the important declaration of the Lord, "inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me." C.