18th Feb 1855 [FIGURE] Notice had been given out a week
a week ago that President
would preach to the people to day upon our views concerning the
government of the United States and all strangers were
invited to attend at an early hour the was
filled & a thousand people that could not get into the House
a large company from those out of Doors was called together
& preached to by Elder . A good many strangers
were gathered together in the Temple After singing & prayer
by W. Woodruff President Young arose & said that as He
did not expect to be able to speak to the people He had prepared
a peace to be read before the assembly & when that is
read I will say a few words. then
read the address before the assembly. He sustained the con-
stitution of the United States also its laws but He used a
sharp two edged sword against wickedness & wicked
men He sharply rebuked sin in high places. & when the
address was finished He followed with a lengthy sharp cutting
Oral Speech which was more pointed than his written document
this speech was fully reported by the reporters
The meeting was addressed in the afternoon by Brother
followed by & . At the close
of the afternoon meeting I met in the prayer circle & at the
close of prayer I had the Happy privilege of seeing
[FIGURE] the son of the martered Patriarch
set in the middle of the circle & Presidents Young, Kimbal
& & O. Pratt W. Woodruff &
of the Twelve Apostles laid Hands upon his head & ordained
