Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-20
COMMUNICATION.
THE MoRMoNs AND THE STATE OF DEsERE1

American Union. -
The remarks of your correspondent are, in the
main, Just and to the point; yet there are some
4 alters of which he is probably Ignorant and
others to which he has but slightly adverted which
should be more fully before the public perceive,
too that he has fallen into the very general error
th.t the Momons were driven Of the States Of Missouri
and Illinois by persecution for their religious opinions do
not now intend to argue that point with him. with the
any writer's both n and Of the Mormon connexion who
are continually asserting it. for the simple reason that
be fuess discussion As to the occurrences which took
place in Missouri and the motives OF her citizens IN exPe
ling them thence have nothing to say But having peen
citizen of Illinois both before and during the Mormon ourn
among u.s. feel an interest in her good name and although
freely admitting that much wrong done on both sides
during the unhappy controversy which long afflicted this
portion Of our fair State, yet will assert and that boldly
without fear Of successful contradiction that the Mornos
,uere moi vcns of persecution Illinois: they neser ere
dripea from our midst their leader and pretended Prophet
soas not killed in consequence Of their religious op'n'ons
This know and boldly assert He who states 70 the con-
ay is but poorly informed Of the which produced
difficulties between our citizens and these deuded people, and
led eventually to their final expulsion
Not designing into argument prove the truth
Of this assertion may be permitted to menion en- pasa
few facts in support Of it. And hrs at the ume the MOT
mons were expelled from Missouri and to Illinois, they
the Mssourians and treated with marked kindness and
attention BY our citizens Thousands Of dollars in money
and in goods voluntarily contributed and distributed
among the needy and suffering. Their Prophet as well as
his humble followers treated kindly by people where
ever he went although them well since, he was be-
eved to be mposto and his dupes the victims o.
his knavery. This does look much like persecution Tor
opinions sake. Again, Notwithstanding the Mormons held
meeting after meeting in all parts Of the country as well as
So A. nf
curing proseyes their peculiar doctrines defy the
whole host Of our caumnaor point TO single instance
in which these meetings moested attempted TO be
broken up by violence. This docs accord with the
spirit Of persecution And again. is fact that every at
tempt which these people have made to Settle and to build
up their peculiar institution, in their organized capacity
in other Sates-n New York; in Ohio, at two points in Mis-
souri, and nally in Inoshas been met by armed resist
ance on The part the inhabitants II the citizens Of Illinois
are chargeabe with persecution, at time when these people
were domineeng and poweru how much more fully might
The charge lie against those OF other States who drove
them off when they comparatively weak and defence
less The truth constant aggression on the rights of their
neghbors by these people has been the ro of their
expulsion ro Illinois, and doubtless from every other place
where they have sought aressng place.
But only my ntention in commencing this article,
to present few of the why the Mormon State OF
Deseret should be admitted into the Union In the first
place. does contain the requisite number OF inhabitants
10 enle it to that distinction The highest number they
claim is about twenty thousand and all who in the least
familiar with the exuberance of Mormon fancy will feel usi-
fed the belief that ten thousand the real number
While located Nauvoo the population of the city al
ways estimated in their publications about double its real
number. Butelowing fifteen thousand to be the actual
population Of the Great Salt Lake Valley, and composed
no doubt is Of ,twohirds Of unnatuazed foreigners
have but sorry show for State Of the great American
Union
The name Of Deserct is liable to weghy objections
than hnted at by your correspondent franklin. The
name he alleges there is reasonable ground for be-
leving has any scientific origin bu, like most Of those in
vogue among this foolish people, has its origin that agon
of called the Mormon Bible And should this umbe
of ncongrues r receive the sapcton Of American
Congress the adoption Of this would warrant, we
should have the whole State Of ADesere flooded with
such beautiful cognomsns for her rvers mountains and val
leys, her towns Counties and cities shoud she be un
fortunate 10 have the beauy the pages of the Book
of Mormon; among which find Gidg1doni, Zemnarihi,
Abish, Cosntumr, Shihom, Sam Com, Ant-N Lehi,
10 the exclusion of those beautiful which the aboriginal
inhabitants Of the American continent have behind them
These, and thousand others equally absurd and rdcu
lous be found in the Book of Mormon, emanatons
from the added brain Of o the aant mpoors that
afflicted manlnd know is said that aa by any
oher will smell sweat. and that nothing
True. But the tomooey of any man, aen should
NOT be far sanctioned by authority bring perma-
nenis before the public mind
These people claim 70 be religious sect guided and d.
reced by Apostolic Board, Bishops, Priests &c and
although they do not ask sect to be placed in this high
political position, yet will be Observed that all The officers
OF their proposed State Government also high in Office in
t Church And cannot bn believe that the coniesgins of
high political powers upon this would be dangerous
precedent to establish under system Of Government
would certainly be new principle in legislation It will
be recoected that after the charter Of the city of Nauvoo
obtained from the Illinois Legislature these people boldly
advanced the doctrine that they independent of the rest
of the Staea State within State" as they expressed Il
and their city legislation in accordance with this prepos
terous claim. Grant them State Government, as one of
The members Of this Unon and what arrogant peenons
viii faey What assumptions Of power viii they no,
claim What madness and folly will they perpe,rae
Chren should be taught creep before they permitted
attempt walking, standing and go. Of people
who are incapable Of regulating the municipal sars Of city,
without coming 10 fragrant opposition TO the laws and cons,
tnon Of the Sae should certainly try their hand at Ter
rorai Government before sskiDg TO enter the Condeacy
of States,