RICHMOND CONSERVATOR. Vol. 31. Richmond, Missouri, August 22, 1884. No. ?
DAVID WHITMER.
We have requested to state that the forty six years of private citizenship on the part of David Whitmer, in Richmond, without stain or blemish, is a moment of his personal standing too strong and enduring to be toppled over by the anathemas of the reputed Mormon prophet, who denounced him when he found that he could no longer use Mr. W. as a tool, and to have the unsupported charges hurled at him now grosser far than the original, as he stands on the confines of the spirit land is, to say the least, uncharitable, and comes with but poor grace from a reputed follower of the son of Mary, whose mission was peace and good will to man.
As regards Mr. Whitmer's religious belief that is between him and his God, and if Elder Braden, at the advanced age of Mr. Whitmer, can show as clear a private record as does the subject of his animadversion, then he can safely fold his hands, close his eyes, and take the leap in the dark with but few misgivings in regard to the future. As regards his war on Mormonism, we have not a word to say, that is his province, but we can see no good in his peddling around a book, a debate between himself and one Kelly, on Mormonism, thus placing the vext question on a higher plane, than it belongs and adding if anything, to its pernicious growth. It should be left to stifle itself to death.
If a life of probity, of unobstrusive benevolence and well doing for well nigh half a century, marks a man as a good citizen, then David Whitmer should enjoy the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. In no instance has he ever endeavored to force his beliefs on others and on every occasion, when the subject was brought up and heralded through the press it has been against his wishes, hence the feeling of indignation that was manifest on the part of many present when Elder Braden announced that he could, by Mormon evidence, convict Mr. Whitmer of being in league with "murderers and horse thieves," which he did not do.