Christian Standard – January 5, 1907

Joseph  Smith, Jr.,  and  Peter  Cartwright.

R. B. NEAL.

Peter Cartwright, the "Backwoods Preacher." needs no introduction to my readers. His name stands for integrity, honesty, truthfulness. He traveled and labored in that portion of Illinois most infested with "the Mormon imposture." He was personally acquainted with Joseph Smith, and with many of his leading men, and professed followers. He says, page 341 of his Autobiography:

On a certain occasion I fell in with Joe Smith, and was formally and officially introduced to him in Springfield, then our county town. We soon fell into a free conversation on the subject of religion, and Mormonism in particular. I found him to be very illiterate and impudent desperado in morals, but, at the same time, he had a vast fund of low cunning.

Cartwright then gives in detail a tilt they had in which he worsted the Mormon seer. He adds:

My friend, Joe Smith, became very restive before I got through with my narrative and when I closed, his wrath boiled ever, and he cursed me in the name of his God, and said, "I will show you, sir, that I will raise up a government iii these United States which will overturn the present government, and I will raise up a new religion that will overturn every other form of religion in this country!"

"Yes," said I, "Uncle Joe; but my Bible tells me the bloody and deceitful man shall not live out half his days;' and I expect the Lord will send the devil after you some of these days, and take you out of the way."

No, sir," said he; "I shall live and prosper, while you will die in your sins."

"Well, sir," said I, "if you, live and prosper, you must quit your stealing and fornication."

Thus we parted, to meet no more on earth for in a few years after this, an outraged and deeply injured people took the law into their own hands, and killed him, and drove the Mormons from the State.

From the above it would seem that Cartwright was a better prophet than Smith. Cartwright continues:

One fact I wish here to mention that ought to be made public. When Joe Smith was announced a candidate for President of these United States, almost every infidel association in the Union declared in his favor. I traveled extensively through the Eastern States and cities, as well as in the West, that year, and I must say this was literally true, as far as I conversed with, or obtained information of, those infidel associations, or individuals. Does not this speak volumes? And ought it not teach the friends of religion an impressive lesson?

Much blame has been fastened on the citizens of Hancock County, Ill., for the part they played in driving the Mormons out of their midst. Cartwright has a defense of them that ought to be published over the earth. Will hand this out in a latter paper
    Grayson, Ky.