Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-10-24
THE MORMON TEMPLE.l

We 6 i've place to-day to the following
from the Keokuk Dispatch, descriptive
of the burning OF the Mormon Temple at
Nauvoo.
That stately cdifce is now in ruins.
The events connected with its erection,
and the popularity Of the worship to
which it was dedicated, has given to it
an interest far greater than its own mag
niicence or splendor would enti>le it.
1t was truly noble structure,-but as
a monument Of the most remarkable in
stance Of lanaticism, that has ever dis
graced the ecclesiastic history Of our
country, i, had become ono of the aconders
Of this western world.
Situated upon most magnificent elc-
walton, perfect and imposing in its archi-
tectural proportions, wanting only an
elaborate finish TO constitute it model in
the art Of Temple building, it stood a
monument Of the dark and helish de-
signs which man may conceive against
his fellow man of the weakness and
frai,y Of human nature in yielding itself
the victim Of those designs, and Of the
soul whitening grasp with which bigotry
and religious fanatacsm fasten them
selves upon their unfortunate subjects.
THE MORMON TEMPLE BURNT DOWN.
The Mormon Temple, at Nauvoo, ILL.,,
was entirely consumed by fire, on the
morning Of Monday last. At about four
o'clock, the citizens Of Montrose, on the
opposite side Of the river, discovered the
fire, just as it was issuing from the dome,
and they speak of the sight as one Of the
most brilliant ever beheld. lis extreme
height, its thick and substantial walls,
confining the heat to its centre, and the
vast amount Of combustible matter COM
posing it's inside, all on fire at once, shot
up the flames something. like two hun
dred feet, in one solid column, above the
square Of the building. The walls being
thick, and we'll put up, are still standing,
but to what extent damaged we know not,
as we have not yet seen a person who
has viewed the ruins. 5F
This is, without question, the work Of
an incendiary, but who the vile scamp is,
or for what purpose it was done. we be-
lieve principally all Of the citizens are
without conjecture. 1t is said the threats
were made by some that if the Trustees
of the church did not make disposition
of it to their notion, the Temple should
be reduced to ashes. Others say that it
has been threatened by some Of the old
Anti-Mormons, that if Mormons were
again permitted to preach in it should be
reduced to ashes, and tina: on the Sunday
proceeding Mormon preacher held forth
in it. However, as to the true cause Of
its destruction we are entirely ignorant,
and, therefore can only speculate on prob
abilities. 1t may be that time will de-
velop the whole story: 12T
Now that all but remnant Of that de-
luded sect Of fanatics have ceased to an
noy the people Of Hancock, and the great
er portion Of them travelled to a foreign
country, leaving behind them splendid
monument Of their folly, tits sacrilege
thus to destroy their property. Had it
been done in the heat OF excitement, when
the people of both sides of the river were
daily molested by their most daring out
RACES, there would have been some pal
Iiation for the crime, but as it is, there is
none, so the individual or individuals
who planned and executed this horrid
outrage deserve to have the law, in al.