New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-01-27
The .Eormc,is and their PrOphet-Legisia-
tom at Eauyoo-The Temple.


NrAR rtE TlMrLE or NAUyoo, Jan. 70, 1911.
To The Editor Of the Tribune:
| take my pen to-day TO give you some ac
count of the Mormons and their Prophet-abou
whom much is said abroad, and but little known
No one, uacquanted with this section of coun
try, since 1897, can realize the extent to which
its prosperity has been impeded; by the settle
ment Of the Mor1nons amongst us, on leaving
the scenes Of their difficulties in Missouri. That
section Of country, embracing extent OF fifty
miles, having the Des MONIES Rapids and the
City of Nauvoo for its centre, possesses natural
advantages, in my opinion, not equallcd by any
other Of similar extent in the Mississippi Valley
At the date alluded to, this region was rapidly
filing UP with an enterprising, moral, and intel
ligent population now. since the soourn here oi
the ragamuffin imitation Of Mahomet and his
servile followers, az efectual stop has been put
to Notwithstanding indeed, such is m
tended TO swell the number Of adherents to the
fortunes of the Prophet. And 1t IS not unrea-
sonabe that it should be so. 1t is not to be eI-
pectcd that pcaceable and inofIensive citizens
would desire for their neighbors set of fanatics.
whose fundamental doctrine is, that the Earth
and It's good things are theirs, and that they will
shortly inherit them; many of whom are not
willing to await their appointed time, but pro.
coed to take their portion from the Gentiles in
advance
! am far from casting reproach upon the whole
body Of the Mormon people. There arc, doubt
less, many exemplary and estimable citizens
among them, whose chief aim is to live right
eously, soberly, and gody in this present world
Their greatest failing is IN that they arc yielding
too implicit obedience to the mandates Of a most
wicked and corrupt man. But, after an inter
course of SIX or seven years with numbers of the
sect, the unwilling conviction has been forced
upon me-that large number of them arc evil
disposed mcn-men, who like their leaders, en-
braccd Mormonism for the sake gilmore etectually
proving upon their fellow men.
OF the Prophet himself, none who know him
can respect him. They cannot respect him for
his Sincerity-for he CANNOT De SINCERE ne can
not be the victim of his own delusion. They
cannot esteem him for his picty-for he docs not
even profess to be pious-and he is notorious
ly the greatest blasphcmer and railer in the
country. They cannot respect him for his tal-
eats-for he has none. He is uneducated and
ignorant-possessing no more Of the qualifca-
tons for great Rciormer Gas he processes to be-
than can be found in fifty grog-shop oafers in
your city. let me assure you and your readers,
that this man is much more indebted to circEm-
stances for the unenvlablc position he occupies,
than TO any ability of his own.
IIc has obtained strong ascendcncy over 4
mass of mind-uncducated and vicious, as it I'M
doubtedly is For this, as ! have said, he is IN
dcbted to circumstances-and by the force of
circumstances alone is he able to maintain it.
His own people do not love or respect him. Many
arc Jealous of his power and only submit to it
because their present interest seems to require 1t.
Even SIDNEY RIGpoN, (who has been the main
pillar of Mormonism, in It's earlier days. | am
assured, is only waiting for a favorable opportu-
nifty to withdraw.
In Smith centres all powcr-spirtual and tenn
poral He is Prophet, Priest, President, Can Of
flee in the Church) General, Mayor Of the Citp,
and Landlord'
The organization Of the City, under a Charter
obtained from the Legislature OF Illinois, Is COM
plele They have "a City Council, whose acts
arc but the echo of the Prophets will
send you two specimens of their legislation.
Both are now in full force in the city.
q An eurG Ordinance or the erta Of Joseph Sm'
Trreanble-recouuns smith, ,iicultts with Missouri
SrcTIoN Bent ordained b. City Council of the CITY
Nauyuo according 10 the intent aud meaning 81 Tie Char
ter the " benet aud of Naavoo, thar ,er,ai-
ter If any pr persons shall come with GeiraEd,
or equisition oundedupsn the aforesaid Missouri difficulties
to arrest Joseph smith he they shall be subject he
arrested any officer oil the tch WITHOUT
and tried by the Municipal CourtuPon testimony and found
IrE which only be prdoned b. the
Governor, wih he consent Of The Mayor Of sad city
Passed December s, 1913. ...
WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder.
What beautiful legislation. The pardoning
power taken from the Governor and life impris-
onnent under u city ordnance. Here Is another
less dangerous one
I'm Ordinance for NE Health and Convenience G Iraueers
and other persons
SscrIoN b ordained by the City Council of the City
of Nauyoa that the Mayo OF the City be and hereby
authorized sell give spirits OF any quantity he IN his
wisdom shall judge be ifor the health comfort or cony-
nence. such travellers other Persons as shall visit his
house from tine 10 time.
Passed December -, 1913.
JOSEPH SMITH, Mayor.
WILLARD RICHARDS, Recorder.
The sole intent of this ordinance is to give TO
the Mayor of the Clty'-Joseph Smlth-who,
ii will he recoected is a taven-kccper, mo-
nopoy of retailing liquors "to travellers and
Others without license !.
Should the Temple ever be finished, on the
plan originally contemplated, it will be the most
magnificent building in the West. BUTT will not
be finished At the rate 1t has progressed, since
its foundation stone was laid, it would require 20
wears to complete it-and a sum of moneynot far
Short of half a million of dollars. | have good
grounds for the opinion that large sums, bestowed
for that purpose, never have been, or will be, ex
pended on that splendid monument OF folly and
wickedness. Yours, WESTWARD Ho.
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT On Saturday week,
while Mr.. Becknell was crossing the ford on White