San Andreas independent., 1857-03-28
LETTER FROM MOKELUMNE HILL.


LETTER FROM MOKELUMNE HILL.
The following letter was received too late
for last weeks issue. We gladly insert it this
week, as it contains important views on very
momentous. subject. The curse of Mormonism
is rapidly spreading in this State. The crime
of bigamy, moral prostitution and desecration
of our social phalanx, is but part of the evils
which attend in the train as hand-maids to the
heinous practices of Mormonism.
MoK. HILL March 18th 1857
Dir. Editor Among the things most memo
rable in the passing week, has been the two
lectures of Mr.. Hyde, formerly one Of the Ell
ders of the Mormon Church. His lectures arc
represented as sensible, logical and interesting
His object is said to be warfare against Nor
monism, or the doctrines and practices of Latter
Day Saints. l give the gentleman credit for
prepossessing appearance, and graceful deliv-
cry; but | question much either the gentle
mans candor, or discretion. In the former |
may be mistaken; if not, am still more secure
in my humble judgment of the latter.
His object is either, lst, to make money by
his lectures Or, I'd, to make himself popular as
speaker, or Sd, to convert Mormons, or 4th, to
assist the Mormon religion.
These are the only objects l can attribute to
his actions and, think certainly one of the
four embrace his real motive for visiting the
various localities Of the State as a public Lee
turcr; unless, indeed, his vanity is his only ex-
cuse and he travels to exhibit himself. Such
an idea is unworthy and improbable.
| shall not discuss the reason for so doing,
yet, it is becoming quite fashionable to en-
quire the cause of all we see done, and to ex-
press an opinion one way or the other upon all
things Of public character.
| 1t will not be departing, then, from the fash
ionablc course, and certainly it will be gratlfy-
ing to me to form conjecture to which of
the four causes above named fits the gentle
mans motive the best. / am certainly far from
believing that his intention is to make money
for his lectures are advertised free Nor does
he seek popularity, for the simple reason, that,
if I am correctly informed, he intends leaving
shortly for his home. The question is directly,
Is he laboring for or against the Mormon Faith?
Is he missionary whose duty it is made to go
where infidelity and darkness reigns, to spread
the light? If so, does he preach against the
prevailing religion of the day, in the midst of
its advocates and recommend better? Who
has yet heard in Calaveras county an advocate
of the doctrines of Brigham Y Young & Co., from
the pulpit or the rostrum! Does the gentleman
lecture with the fear that there are those In our
midst who may become Mormons? Rather does
not Mr.. Hyde seek to give dignity and posi-
ton to the Faith which it now has not, and
may never attain, except through the instru-
mentality of abuse and persecution! | can
readily imagine cunning that works by subtler
and more certain means than direct advocacy.
No great power of conception is necessary to
discern the fact that curiosity begets interest,
and interest faith. The mind is of singular
structure, and not unfrequently embraces a pro-
position or principle more readily through
sympathy for its abuse, than through conviction
from its advocacy.
A faith, founded upon and fostercd by the
credulity of it's fellows, can well be preached
among the ignorant and supersttious in all its
glaring deformities and inconsistencies, and
prospers most where superstition and sensuali-
ty are combined-but | think it wrong to ele
vate it above its proper sphere by abuse, or ex-
tend its influence by persecution.
cifc coast. Filled to overfowing with adven-
turers most of whom are young and in the
passion hours of life, ready to embrace any doc
trine that promises grandeur in the future, or
novelty and the qualification of the passions and
pleasures of the present it may well be sought
as the field for missionaries: by those whose de-
sign it may be to supplant the various religious
denominations of the day, and lord it, over
the spiritual and temporal existence OF this new
and favored State. If it is made fashion to
listen to the abuse of it from the rostrum or the
pulpit, fair play and justice would willingly
yield hearing to its defense and who can
doubt the result?
Inc world is represented to have been less So
phlsueated in the days when John the Baptist
preached the coming of Christ, than it is now.
II may be that there cometh after Mr.. Hyde
one OF whose shoes he is not worthy to bear"
II lnere is in this community any Mormon, he
nardly dare avow it; they certainly have no
preachers and yet Mr.. Hyde may have said in
llttle different language, but of the same eff
fect OF the prophet of old, prepare ye the way