The New York herald., 1844-09-02
Carthage.
Correspondence OF the Herald.l


ractr, and Massaere-Plsas in Palliation-Amti-
Mormon Defence
DEAR SIR:-Since had the pleasure Of seeing
you, last winter, in your sanctum sanctorum, from
whence editorial genius spreads its Frightening
rays and l,umines the civilized world, have been
playing the cosmopote, but at Last returned TO the
countryof Joe Smith notoriety in time to witness the
scenes-the glorious and inglorous achievements Of
the Mormon war in Hancock county-and as many
uniniormed correspondents have written for the
eastern papers, whose statements are erroneous, in
many particulars, in relation to the causes OF the
death of the Smiths at Carthage, while also many
editors are severely rebuking the old citizens of
Hancock county, portion Of whom are supposed
to be among the perpetrators ofthe offence, leaving
the impression upon the public mind that they are
a vndctve set of cut throats, and guilty OF one Of
the foulest murders recorded in the annals Of crme
will relate to you few facts, being a few Of the
prominent causes which induced the old citizens of
the surrounding country to arise In their indigna.
ton and strike the blow which cut oil the head
of an evil, which to them, and to every freeman
within the sphere of its baneful influence, had be-
come intolerable.
First, sir, let me premise that shall not attempt
to Justify the course OF the perpetrators but to pal
late their conduct by showing the circumstances
by which they were surrounded. know, sir, that
the spirit OF mobocracy which results in the inflc
ton OF summary vengeance or justice is dangerous
in its tendency; that il generally rushes beyond the
convictions of the community; that 1t disarms men
OF reason that IL unbrldles and gives free exercise
to the baser passions OF our nature but have
been unwllngly CONVINCED OF one e lamentabie & TACT
lie, beyond the influence OF high degree OF virtue
and refinement, such as exist in older settlements
in new country, where SO many bankrupts, in
honor and character, are found who are willing to
foster and cherish crime, a case has arose where
the slow, uncertain and obstructed operation OF the
law was not adequate to redress the grievances OF
an injured and an oppressed communlty-where
the old and honored citizens OF the country must
either yield as slaves and bow submissive to the
will of dcspotc, pretended Prophet of the Lord,
or grasp the sword of reributive justice and exc
cute the decree which emanates from the heart of
every patriot.
You, doubtless, are acquainted with the past his
tory ofthe Mormons-how the imposter Joe Smith
commenced his pretended divine mission in the
zy, idle, thick-headed boy; that he gathered
around him few loaters there, and soon became
so obnoxious to the inhabitants there, that they
employed means to rid the State OF his presence !;
that from there he went to Kirkland, Ohio, and in
few years gathered considerable number OF
proselytes; that he there commenced his swim
ding operations on quite an extensive scale, at a
time when the banking system was. popular; he
successfully demonstrated the proposition that pa
per currency was unsafe, after committing ourages
there which the good citizens OF Ohio were not dis
posed to submit to. They gave him few stripes,
crew TO the Western borders OF the State OF Mis-
souri there he carried such series of aggres-
sions which brought on bloody war, and resulted
i'm the total extermination of the Mormons. From
there they fed TO the hospilable shores Of Illinois
Upon their arrival here, they sung the plalntive
song Of persecution and oppression tor their regl
opinions, and being in state OF abject poverty
the citizens of Illinois contributed literally tor their
relief, and established for them home in their
midst. The legislature granted them a charter tor
their city, expecting from their professions that
they would be valuable acquisition to our young
population, little thinking that they were chershlng
a viper that would sting them the moment he was
warmed into life and power.
Let US enquire what has been the situation of the
old citizens the kind entertainment OF band OF
strangers and what the conduct of Joe Smith and
his followers the recipients OF not only Kindness and
hospitality, but honors from the hands OF their
new neighbors. They, the Mormons, instead of
professions Of christianity, have outraged every
principle of the christian religion. Joe Smith, as
Stunning the character OF a religious retormer, was
practically, public blasphemer, who often shock
ed the moral sense OF the christian with his heaven
daring declarations Of his intimacy with Deity
Charges were preferred against him and many Of
his followers, of being guilty of almost every crime
known to our laws, both moral and municipal, and
those charges are susceptible OF the most indubta
Bile proof. Credible witnesses can be had who
Eved in Nauvoo, some who were in the confidence
Of Smith, to whom he would make admissions,
and solicit their aid in the destruction Of female
their property, under pretence that twas the Lords
will they should yield to the wants and desires of
Gods Holy Prophet, or jeapordze their eternal sal
walton. Other persons in the city who are uncon-
nected with the Mormon church, have been close
observers of Smiths conduct during the existence
OF the city Of Nauvoo, who are acquainted with
chain of circumstances which fixes guilt of the
deepest dye upon him as unerrngly as though the
knowledge had been derived through the me-
dunn of the senses Still the apoogists of the
Mormons appear to think the charges against
the Mormons are amply. dlsproved by the sense
less declarations OF few ltinerant news-ga,h-
erers, who seem to think they are the cause OF
the world preserving it's proper equilibrium, by their
attending the business OF others and reporting up
on the state Of the public mind in the different
quarters of the globe-they come TO Nauvoo, an
xious to ascertain for themselves the facts in rela-
ton to the Mormons; they Of course would
go TO the source oflMormon truth, Joe Smith. He
Immediately sees they are strangers, and shrewdly
suspects their business; he treats them politely,
takes them in his carriage, shows them the curio-
sites OF the city, the exhibitions Of industry among
the citizens; speaks fins cutors says the true
church always was prosecuted; appeals TO God that
he is innocent Of crime aud Tree from all unrighte
ousness. The stranger, if he does not go down to
the water and be baptized, he goes away satisfied
that the poor Mormons are an injured people, and
those who are opposed to them are maddened by
the demon of prejudice. OF course. those astule
philosophers, to become satisfied of the truth Of the
charges made against Smith and his adherents,
would expect them 10 confess their crimes to them
",
presence OF strangers hope some of the insttu-
tons OF the East will note Those gentlemen bene-
factors Of the age, and reward them with leather
medal apiece.
The citizens in the immediate neighborhood of
the Mormons are not destitute of intelligence. II
is to them the people must look for correct inform
alton in relation to their difficulties; either they
or the Mormons must tell the tale. II is ques-
ton of veracity between them-that question can
be settled by viewing the circumstances The old
citizens Of Hancock have always heretofore enjoyed
an envable reputation. How does the case stand
with the Iih Mormcns e' ,nelr pas; lss9ry answeL.
of New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois, are
unworthy the appellation Of American citizens,
and that Joe SmthIwas true prophet, and para.
gon of excellence 7 The historian OF our country
may answer the question.
The question will be asked, why was not the
Smiths punished by law? ! am obliged 10 answer
briefly. as my sheet is nearly full. Joe Smith had
&C ;..c4ina HancacL LIZ colald 80 Max.x.1..,