The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-09-08
From the Phila. North American.
MORMON VILLAINY.

MOhMON VILLAIN
The Mormon impostor, which has been
gaining strength rapidly for ten years past,
seems now to have reached the point oil
decline. A great deal Of wonder has been
wasted by those who enjoy the organ large
upon the fact that humbug so transpa-
rent as the whole Mormon Bible story and
Joe Smiths system, should have gained SO
many converts even among respectable
classes. Whoever may have maryelied
at the result, have certainly not studied el-
Their human nature, or the history oil reii-
gious imposture the world over. Inc
more absurd a system, the more certain
has it always been of rapid extension a.
mong the mass. That however, which ap-
peals to common sense aud experience, is
accepted slowly, but its duration is secure
among the great majority OF mankind.-
Unless this be true, what melancholy
prospect lies before true religion and PHI
losopbyl The sudden rise of Mormonism
adds another to the numbcrless instances
of popular decisions. Its fall, which less
than prophet may safely predict, will
rive another earnest of the final mastery
, which awaits the struggle of truth against
!. falsehood.
! From the disclosures made by an midi
yidual named Bennett, who was one OF
Smiths councillors, Mayor of Nauvoo,
and who rejoiccs in the title of General,
!, it appears that the Prophets Character is
far worse than that of mere impostor,
! who seeks, by operating upon the creduli-
, ~ Of the world, TO find support or Sc
!. cure notoriety for himself. Smiths dis
. positions are not confined 10 this circle
: alone. He is not only charla.an OF thu
r stamp, but knave in every sense, aud
!, wretch constantly instigated by the mos
!. brutal passions. Bennett has published
. recently, under his own signature, loat
- accounts of Smiths atrocities, but espe
:, cially of his habitual efforts, in which hi
(. elders united, to betray the women whom
- they had converted to the Mormon faith
. How many lost their virtue through tn
: arts of these yillains does not appear, ou
a sufficient number resisted TO bear test
n mony against the Prophet and his gane
- and their published statements confrr
!. those of Bennett. The assertion OF tn
:. latter, by the way, without this proc
80 should pass for little value, since by h
:. own confession he has for years been coz
"a infant of the atrocities perpetrated at tn
y Mormon settlement, aud has never betoI
a. made any disclosure Of them. W.T.
-, Smiths bank paper frauds in OHIO II
e., public was long ago made acquainted
h;s These new revelations complete the Pr
10 ture Of his odious character.
ind One of the worst features in the histol
ted of Mormonism is IFS influence upon Il
too Legislature of Illinois, the majority
DIV which composed of Van Buren, Democrat
I'VE g.snted to Smith Charter for the u
on. Of Nauvoo. which made it almost sove
ne eighty, having rather an alliance with tn
MT. dependence upon the State in any sens
Sc Votes OF the uo-mons, ana the pres I
ave tanned the article.
II may be proper to mention here th
tic. when the MoTmons were in Missouri, &c
vo. Boggs OF that State offended Smith a
d" his foilowers-suchw we believe is the fat
nth Within two or three months past It mt
icy be remembered that an attempt was ma
ain TO assassiaate the Ex-Governor a, his o,
up. residence. 1t is charged by Bennett
ted one of his public statements that nm EN-
EN- sarv of Smiths committed this murdero
he act, and from other circumstances the
9th appears TO be little doubt of the truth
Aud the accusation. Nor we believe is Il
Sc the only instance in which the arch impc
un tor has menaced life.
ave Such is the character of Joseph Smii
an ignorant iiiterate man, who has st
cceded in dcluding thousands of people
ecu to the belief that be has received spec
,ion revelation from Heaven, and now emo
ing frequent conferences with the Almighi
leif His congregation will Of course tumble
cen pieces, and possibly in less time than
pea has already existed. But even with Il
MS hope, it is melancholy to witness so ma
on people the dupes of a course, base a
nee bloody minded knaye, and worse still TO S
mar him cour;ed by the Executive and Repl
ar sentatives Of State for the Disgrace
ais, favor Of his political support. Ii repoI
"o are true, he defies all authority. 7
ing arms of the State arc in the hands OF
10, Legion, and he is prepared TO give bat
''i III If any attempt should be made 10 ARE
all him on the charges which are sufficient
established to justify warrant for his a
ndu prehenslon.
,la Right End Up.-A gentleman, it
~ days since, called upon an old lady, not