Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-11-15
The Mormon Rribery.
TO the Editor Of the statesman.

The Mormon Rribery.
To the Editor Of the statesman,
DEAR SiR-I perceive from the last
number ofthe Hawk Eye, that the Deacon
y IN direct communication with Orson
Hyde; and, il Mr.. Hyde is to be received
as an uninterested witness, we must force
the belief that the wing. Of Iowa are like
Cssar's wife, not only unsuspected, but
beyond suspicion; or 10 use Mr.. Hyde's
language, their intercourse has been un-
spotted and clear like the mirror Itself.
Now, | would like to ask Mr.. Hyde few
questions which he may answer in his
next epistle 10 the Deacon:
lst. Where were you at IL o'clock ON
the night of the 9Th Of July?
I'd. Where were you the next morning
at 10 O'Clock?
Sd. Who was with you and what was
the subject matter under consideration?
4th. How much did you tell me, ON
your return down the river, the draft on
the wing committee at Washington city
was for?
9th. What did you go to Washington
city for9
9th. OF whom in the city of Cincinna-
ii did you get the printing press and ma
9TH. Where did you get the money to
pay for the press9
9th. What did you say to me on the sub
ject in letter dated at Washington, Sep
TENDER Is, l84s?
The answers to the above questions
without eguivocation or anecdotes may shed
some light. am aware that Mr.. HYDE,
in one Of his letters to the Missouri Re-
publican, undertook to give some items ON
this subject; and if he intended 10 be un-
derstood as giving the whole truth, he
must have left heavy load upon his con-
science, however unspoated he may repre-
sent those who have operated with him in
relation to the Mormon vote; and can as
sure Mr.. Hyde that few of his Mormon
friends believe his whig apologies. Mr..
Hyde has style pecu'ilr to himself in
writing upon these subjects, and turns
many nice points with some anecdote in
order to divert the mind from the point,
which forcibly reminds me Of the Ink, or
Cutie Fish, who, when closely pursued,
throws out of his mouth SO much fog, and
offensive matter that he evades pursuit,
and in this way makes his escape. Does
not Mr.. Hyde know the fact that an order
was drawn en- Chambers & Knapp, by
Warren, and that the same was paid and
the avails sent to the Bluffs Does he not
know that Warren has acknowledged the
| mo- r,r
dollars TO one of his coadjutors in this
matter, { Mr.. Pickett and does he not
know that it is morally impossible for me
to believe the statements that he has made?
because knowledge supercedes faith.
But MIR. Hyde announces himself
wing, (but not an ultra wing, has no set
notions. has never voted but once in his
life, knows little or nothing about Fedcr-
al and State policy, yet he assumes the re-
sponsibility of influencing whole com-
munity; and lest he should betray ignor-
ance as their guide, he directs them to
political knave to direct them sswhen and
how to act.' Such men we might rea-
sonably suppose would support Gen. Tay-
lor, for their principles are in perfect
keeping, and Mr.. Hyde is about as capa-
BILE Of counsellng the Mormons how to
vote as General Taylor is of presiding
over the people Of the United States. He
like Mr.. Hyde is no politician, has not
studied the science of civil government,
has never voted in his life, but if elected
can get Mr.. Warren, or some of the same
stamp, to advise him "when, where and
how to act"
1t is not astonishing to see the despera-
ton of the wing disciples in their strug-
gle for political power; no stone is left
unturned, no means too holy to be used,
no altar too sacred to burn their political
fire, the sacerdofol funic must be laid aside
the smutty garments Of party must clothe
the minister of the altar, his influence can
not be dispensed with, heaven and earth
must unite their influence or their party
fails.
Are not the most cherished institutions
Of our country endangered by the use Of
such unhallowed means, when the most
sacred of all human rights are Frustrated
at the shrine Of religious despots, and men
cease to think and act for themselves! 1t
was the language of Chief Justice Story,
while treating upon the constitution Of
our country, that it was the work of wise
master builders, the work of Immortality
if human institutions might aspire to such
name; yet, it might perish in an hour
by The negligence Of its keepers-the
people. When the people no longer act
upon the results of their own judgment
and convictions, but tamely submit to re-
ligious and political dictators then we
may look for the elevation to Office of bold
and avaricious men who will feed we'll
their operators and thus the glory Of our
free institutions will depart, and despotism
with all its horrors will enslave our chill
dren.
l have the honor to be, &C.,
A. w. BABBITT.
October %. lS4S.
WI -, c., Al