Southern pioneer, and Carroll, Choctaw and Tallahatchie Counties advertiser. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-30

acters the Mormons believe to be the ancient
Egyptian, and that Smith was enabled by in
spiration to translate them--in part only, how
ever, for the plates are not entirely given in
English--This translation is the Book of Nor
mon, and SO far it is faint and distant paral-
lei OF the Koran. In much the same way Ma
homet presented his code of religion to his
followers, and on that authority the sceptre-
sword of lslamism now sways the richest and
widest realms that ever bowed to one faith.
But the Mormons have very different career
before them: their faith is opposed to all yio-
lence, and, from tie nature of their peculiar
doctrines, they must soon die of themselve If
they are wrong. If the appointed signs that
are TO announce the approach Of the MilIen-
ium do not take place Immediately, the Latter
Day Saints must, by their own showing, be
mistaken, and their faith falls quietly to the
ground. So, TO prosecute them merely for
opinions sake is as useless as it would be un-
just and impolitic.
The Book of Mormon purports to be his
tory OF portion of the Children of Israel,
who found their way to this Continent after
the first distractions of Jerusalem. It is con-
tinued from generations by succession Of
prophets, and gives in different hceLss az ac-
count OF the wars and alliances among the
various branches ofothe Lost Nation. The
Golden Book is acknowledgements by Mormon
the last OF the prophets, of all the works of his
predecessors.
The style is close imitation of the scrip.
tural, and is remarkably free from any aIlu-
sions that might betray knowledge of the
present political or social state of the world.
The writer lives in the whole strength of his
imagination in the age he portrays. 1t is diff
ficult to imagine more difficult literary task
lei hot, he Il
alton of the Scriptures, that should not only
avoid all collision with the authentic and sa-
cred word. but even fill up many chasms that
now seems TO exist, and thus receive and lend
confirmation in almost every book.
To establish a plausibly-sustained theory
that the aborigines of our Continent are de-
scendants of Israel without committing himself
by any assertion or description that could be
contradicted, shows degree of talent and re-
search that in an uneducated youth of twenty
{ is almost a miracle in itself.
A copy of the characters on some of the
golden leaves, was transmitted to learned
Agcntlcmaa of this city, who of COURSE WAS uu.
able TO decypher them, but thought they bore
resemblance TO the ancient Egyptian char
acter.
i lion comparison il appears that these char
! acters are similar to those recently discovered
on those ruins in Central America which have
attracted SO much attention lately and which
are decidedly of Egyptian architecture, il viii
make strong point for Smith. twill tend to
prove that the plates are genuine, even if il
does not establish the truth OF his inspiration,
or the fidelity of his translation.
In any case our Constitution throws its pro-
tecting egis over every religious doctrine.
If the Mormons have violated the law, let the
law deal with the criminals; but let not mere
opinion. however absurd and delusive it NAV
be, call forth spirit of persecution. Perse-
cution harsh daughter of Cruelty and Ignor-
ance, can never find home in a heart truly.
republican. Opinion is a house hold god, and
in this land her shrine is inviolate.
JOSEPHINE.