The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-03
The pIormons OF De.eret.

The readers of this paper have doubt
less noticed, in the Congressional pro-
ceedings, the presentation in the Senate,
on Monday last, of memorial of William
Smith and Isaac Sheen, claiming to be the
legitimate presidents of the Church of
Latter-Day Saints, and twelve other indi-
viduals of that church, charging the mem
bers of that community, now settled in
the valley of the Salt Lake, with having
taken an oath to avenge on the people and
Government of this country the murder of
Joseph Smith, and with determination
now to carry that oath into effect; and
further accusing them of grossly immoral
conduct, by adopting the doctrine of po-
lygamy, &c.
Now, in relation to this matter, il is not
improbable that these charges are exagge-
rated and untrue, and such as could not
stand the test of calm judicial investiga-
ton. We have no particular sympathies
or regards for this Mormon people but,
Judging from what we have formerly heard
and latterly known Of them, we deem
these accusations to be entirely absurd
and impossible.
In the first place, if we remember
Alright, this William Smith, the first peti-
toner, is brother Of the celebrated Jo-
seph Smith, who originally presided over
the Mormons. AT the time Of Joseph's
death, he presented himself to the Nor
mons, claiming to be the legitimate sue
cessor Of his deceased brother; but the
Mormon people refused torecognise him in
that capacity. But, as we have been in
formed, inasmuch as he was brother of
one who was highly cherished among
them, they consented to afford him pro-
lection and sustenance for a time; but
his conduct at length becoming, as they
allege, more and more dissolute, he was
expelled from the pale Of their church
Smiths hierarchical aspirations and his
subsequent expulsion from the Mormon
church sufficiently explain his present
hostility to that community.
II will be recollected, when the Nor
mons were on their way to the far West,
fleeing from the prosecutions which they
had suffered in Illinois and Missouri, over
lures were made to them by United States
officers, under instructions from our Gov
eminent, inviting them TO join in the hos
tilities which we're going to be waged
against the Mexican republic. This they
promptly acceded to, and they rendered
us efficient service during our war with
that republic. Would this have been the
case if they had sworn to avenge their
wrongs against the Government and peo-
pie Of the United Statesl We find them
now knocking at our doors for admission
into our Union, at time when another
more populous and less remote community
are in no hurry for such consummation.
Does this look like settled hostility to the
United Statesl We think not.
The objections urged against this peo-
pie on the score Of their grasping for ter
ritory and their immoral practices, we are
inclined to believe, are Of an equally fra
gilc tenure. With Texas and California
claiming an area much larger than they
have actually occupied, il is not surpris-
ing that Deseret should do the same. We
believe, after all, that the people of Desc
ret will be willing to take such limits as
Congress may choose TO assign them.
, Can the same be said of other States
which have applied for admission or been
received into the Union' As TO the poly
gamy charged against this people, we