Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-12-14
From The Louisville Journal.

THE MoRmoNs.-We learn from a late number
of the Warsaw Oil Signal, that ther is much eX-
element IN that county against The Mormons. Few
who have not had opportunity OF learning, on the
/ spot, the progress which that deluded, infatuated
sect Is making, can form but an imperfect idea of
the rapldlty with which the Mormons are lncreas-
| ing, both In power and in numbers.
| Not long after their expulsion from Missouri,
| they located themselves at Commerce, Hancock
| county, Illinois This point wisely chosen
From It's situation the head of the lower rapids OF
the Mississippi it is one of the most important points
! in that region.
In conformity with pretended revelation from
heaven, the prophet and leader of this sect, Joe
Smith, changed It's name to that of NauUOO Last
winter they Obtained for it, from the Illinois legsla-
ure, city charter with many important privileges.
Three interpretations besides were granted them
at the same session, of which IS, that OF NH
tary band, under the name of the :" AdarO0 Lc-
giOR." The latter has created much dissatlstac-
ton and some fears among the citizens OF the adj
| Joining counties. This legion is not confined to
Nauvoo, but any resident OF Hancock county, la
bic to military duty, may become enrolled IN 1t.
Under the provisions OF their charter this band
has obtained liberal share OF the State arms, and
among the rest several pieces of ordinance. The
| uniform OF this legion Is splendid The young men
OF the country are ambitious OF Joining 1t, and this
| has been the means of adding much to their num-
bers and influence. Their musters are very fire.
quent, and Nauvoo has the appearance of a militia
ry town Nearly every prominent man among
them, from the prophet himself, down to the elders,
has military title. They make no secret Of their
motives for this military organization Not only the
"Nauyoo House, a splendid building erected by a
chartered company, but their :. Temple,' and
some other edliices have been constructed in some
measure, with an eye to the defence eff the town
III case OF rupture similar the In Missouri.
Judging only from the pal pabe absurity of the
doctrines upon which Mormonism is tounded-the
ridiculous humbug of the - Golden Plates the
claims OF Joe Smith to inspiration, and the preten-
sion OF the elders to the power of working mira
| cles, people abroad have imbbed the impression
that the leaders of that Sect are set of ignorant
knayes, and that Mormonism is destined to brief
career, and then, like the thousand and one' re-
hgOus lmposures that have preceded it, be forgot
| ten. Tins idea we induced to believe is cor
rect. That the leaders knaves is Iudlspuably
true, but no one can become acquainted with hu-
nan nature, and their plans of operation without
| percelVung that they eynCe common ability
In tour to that region IN October last, we were
aston-hed at the increase OF their numbers and the
Improvements they have made in various parts of
Hancock and the adjoining counties, and on the
opposite side OF the Mississippi In Iowa Territcry
Ii Is believed that more buildings have been erect
ed IN Nauvoo the present year, than in any other
town III the State. Several hundred emiorants
from acknowledgements to Mormonism have been
a
greater number are expected next year. They
have also received very large accessons from New
York and other eastern States.
1t reflects bat little credit upon the intelligence
and good sense of our countrymen, that so gross a
deluslon, such pltltul imposture should obtain
permanent standing, YET, 1t is the opinion of all
who have had an opportunity of investigating the
matter and learning the actual of things that
Mormonlsm will acquire more importance than is
anticipated. Obcdient as slaves to the commands
Of their prophet, they already WELD an influence at
the polls that is felt, not only in the affairs of the
county, but in those of the State. Union is strength
and IN few years more they will hold the balance
ct power IN their own hands.
When an election approaches, Joe Smith, their
prophet, has "revelaton' and is directed on
which side the Mormons shall vote This is pub
hshed in their paper and to all the ''taithful -
They would sooner be guilty of sacrilege or bias
phemy than dlsobey his injunction.
From the tone of the articles for some time past
in the Warsaw Signal and the excitement that pre-
walls IN that region against the Normons, we should
not be surprised should a serious rupture take place
before MANY months and murh blood he sDilt