Closing Argument of Onias Skinner, 29 May 1845, Copy [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
Source Note
, Closing Argument, [, Hancock Co., IL], 29 May [1845], State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Copied [29 May–20 June 1845]; handwriting of and printed text; thirty-one pages; Wilford Wood Museum, Bountiful, UT; images in Joseph Smith Murder Trial Papers, 1844–1845, CHL.
— who are so destitute of justice & humanity as to attempt to satiate their personal wrath & revenge by means so wicked & contemptable. And I can no better express my views of them than by repeating a poet’s sentiment.— “From envy & hatred these these men are exempt, But, where is their shield from the darts of Contempt?”— And where is their shield from yourprofoundContempt? Gentlemen, I hold in my hands two Caricature likenesses of , both from the same plate— from the same identical stamp. They show most strikingly the peculiar affinity existing between the authorities at & this famous Daniels;— 1st the plate is used at by the State Register; then, it is taken to & comes out in theState this book of Daniels & in both it professes to be a correct likeness one of the murdere[r]s of the Smiths, , The Courteous & beautiful comments in this State Register— annexed to the pictures I will read you. [p. 24]