The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-23
The MOrinans.
ARLINGTON HOUSE, Oct. I6. i,

close, and every sun must set.
| The MOrmans.
ARLINGTON HOUSE, Oct. I6, 1872
Gen. j. q. BENNETT
Some time since, addressed letter to Joseph
Smith, the Mormon Prophet, in answer to letter
of his, introducing to my " kind attention. friend
of his from the Holy City of Nauvoo In this letter
expressed my regret that the quarrel between him
and John G. Bennett should have at all found its
way to the public eye, this being the sole cause oil
placing him in his present awkward situation.
likewise commisserated with him in his affection,
and signed myself, at the conclusion of my letter,
as his friend, which | really am, and the friend OF
all good Mormons, as we'll as other good men, Why
should not be Joseph Smiths friend? lie has done
nothing 10 InJure me, nor do believe he has done
any thing TO inJure Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri
Ihe Governsr no doubt, under strong feelings, may
have thought and believed that Smith had precon-
certed the plan Tor his assassination there no
legal evidence whatever OF that tact. None by
winch an unpreJudlced jury would convict any man,
yet 10 send this man INTO Missouri, under the pre-.
sent requlslon, would be an act OF great lnustlce
as his rum would be certain. How could any man.
against whom there Is bitter religious prejudice,
escape rum, being In the circumstances OF smith
Look at the history OF past ages-see the force OF
Idnaclsn and 0Sotry In bringing 10 the stake some
Of The best OF men and III all these cases the per-
secuors mad their preexts, well as in the case. of
the Mormon chief. Nothing follows It's victim with
such deadly ann as religious zeal, and therefore
thing should be so mucn guarded against BY the ci.
wi power.
SnIllh, | conceive, has just as good right to es-
taDlsh church, II ne Can do II, as Luther Calvin
Wesley, FOX, or even hlng Henry the Eighth All
these cnlefs infeglon had their opponents and their
people their prosecutors Henry the Eighth was ex
communicated body and BONES soul and ALL by his
Holiness the Pope still the Ihurch of England has
lEad llyl,.,
with the Mormons. They may Kill one Prophet,
and conhne Ia Chains hall his followers, but anotn
er wiz take his place, and the Mormons will still 60
abe d.
One of their Elders said to me, when conyersins
on this subject, that they like mustard plant
=" Ii you don't disturb 1t, the seed Will tall and
muliiply and II you kick II about, you only give
the seed more soil, and 1t will multiply the more -
Undertake TO convince them that they are wrong,
AMI that Smth Is an lmposIor, and The answer Is
laying the hand on the heart knO,c IN my o,cn
soul that IL IS true, and hrant better eptdence
Jeel hdy IN my Jditt, and uhy should be disturb
cd 20 Now Cannot see but what this is the sentl.
ment that governs all relgIousy disposed persons
Their object being heaven and happiness no matter
what their church or their creed. They therefore
cannot be put down while the constitution of the
United States offers them protection, in common
with all other sects, and while they believe that
their eternal salvation Is at stake. From what
know OF the people, fully believe that all
the really sincere Mormons would die sooner than
Gen. j. G. Bennett has stated that, 10 conouer the
Mormon Legion II would require five to one against
them, all things taken into consideration and that
they will die to a man sooner than give up their
Prophet Now, Is the arrest OF this man worth
such sacrifice of life as must necessarily follow
an open war with his people The loss of from one
TO three thousand lives will doubt follow in an at
tempt TO accomplish object not in the end worth
button.
Prosecute them, and you are sure to multiply
them: This is fully proved since the Missouri per.
secution, as, since that affair, they have increased
one hundred fold.
i is the best policy, both of Missouri and Illinois
to let them alone for if they are drove farther west
they may set up an independent government, under
which they can worship the Almighty as may suit
their taste. Indeed | would recommend IN The
Prophet to pull up stakes aud take possession of the
Oregon territory III his own right, and establish an
independent empire. In one hundred years from
this iime: no nation on earth could conquer such
people: Let not the history Of David be forgotten
II the Prophet Joseph would do this millions would
flock to his standard and join his cause. He could
then make has own laws by the voice Of revelation
and have them executed like the act of one man.
With respect TO myself, would Just repeat that
am the Prophets friend, and the friend of his peo-
pie, merely from sympathy, as my arm has ever been
lifted on the side Of the prosecuted and oppressed
have never IN my life followed the fat OK, nor
bowed tor a favor on nv own account TO mortal
man. While desplse the purse proud man, ] am
proud to the proud man and humble to the humble,
and, where men were contending, have ever thrown
BY inserting this communication, it is presumed
that no one will hold the Herald responsible for the
sentiments II contains yet have no doubt that
there are thousands OF independent liberal minded
men IN this country who think as | do
Neither the Mormon Prophet nor his people can
add anything TO my fortune or reputation. | ex.
pect nothing from them-they are poor and indus.
trous people, and have nothing to give | am in
iluenced IN my conduct towards them by spirit of
benevolence and mercy, ami hope the Governor and
State OF Illinois will act in like manner II is true
was commissioned in their legion, through the in.
fundamentally of their enemy, General J. c. Ben
nett, an act entirely of their own, without nv
agency; but was as much their friend before as
s.nce The Missouri persecution fixed my attention
and commiseration on the people.
il must be recollected too, that the Mormon
Prophet and his people are the most ardent friends
and promoters of literature and science. These
are elementary principles in their social system and
thus certainly is contrary to everything like despo-
tism.
hope therefore, and with great Difference ex-
press that hope, that Ex-Governor Boggs will with
draw his demand for the Prophet, and let these poor
people rest in peace. Both he and Governor Carlin
VIII leei much more at peace with themselve $ BY
quashlng the whole proceeding
Most respectfully, your humble servant,
JAMES ARLINGTON BENNETT
Counsellor at Law, DC
Pious-The Rev. David Hale is out very strong