Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-01-21
5Mistfllantous.
MORNOSISN.

As this disgusting compound OF sen
suality, despotism and ferooiousness
is continually thrusting itself upon
public attention, it may interest some
of our readers to recall the circumstan-
ces in which it originated. The ca
lamity has come upon us as one Of the
results of that excessive freedom II the
exercise Of which Va throw open our
empire to all manner of immigrants
from the oil world for this anomalous
population is chiefly recruited from
Europe.
Rev. solomon Spaulding. a graiu-
ate of Dartmouth College, was distin-
guished for lively imagination and n
love for history. He lived In a part Of
Ohio abounding with mounds an3 the
ruins of old forts, and took much in
terest in the study Of those antiquities.
To beguile his hours of retirement, he
conceived the idea of giving a histori-
cal sketch of the lost race aboat which
there was so much mystery. IL was Of
course a fanciful undertaking. giving
wide scope for the exercise OF imagina-
ton. and tempting him to indulge in
an antique style while describing an
cicnt things. The Old Testament con-
tanning the most ancient books in tho
world, he found it convenient TO imi-
tate its style. He therefore launched
out at will into the region of free his
torical romance. This was in 1912.
His neighbors hearing of the progress
of his curious work, would come to his
house and hear portions Of il read 1t
claimed to have been written by one of
the lost nation, TO have been recovered
from the earth, and was christened
with the title OF Manuscript Found"
This self-amusing gentleman, pretend
ed to be decyphering the mysteries of
the disinterred manuscript, and regu-
larly reported progress to his neigh
bors.
From the classics and from ancient
history he introduced many uncouth
and unaccustomed names, which ava
kened curiosity. Mr.. s. removed to
Pittsburgh, and found a friend in the
person of an editor, to whom he showed
his manuscript. The editor was pleas
ed, borrowed it, kept it, and offered to
print it, if Mr. 5. would make out
suitable title-page. lie promised alss
TO make it source of profit Mr. :.
declined any such use Of IL. Sydney
Rigdon, who has since figured SO
largely among the Mormons. was then
employed in the editors printing office.
he inspected the manuscript, and had
an opportunity TO copy it. 1T was re-
turned to the author, who died in Isle.
But the influence he had unwittinS,y
originated, did not die with him
There is no doubt that Rigdon took a
copy of the whole or parts of the man
uscript. lie appeared IN Palmyra. y.
Y. in 1923, working at his trade.---
About this time there began &c be talk
of certain mysterious "platcs" being
found in that region. They had been
discovered. it was said, by Joseph
Smith. Jr., in the bank OF the Eiie
Canal, near Palmyra. Here Smith
and Rigdon conspired TO start the fraud.
Smith was a man OF low cunning, vul-
gar and sensual in his habits. fitting
accomplice for Rigdon. both being
ready to execute any falsehood. Joe
was TO be set up as a leader. and to a.
sumo the title of ProVka
IL was given out that Joe was en-
gagged in translating the plates. This
was in 1929. Some followers were
obtained, principally the ignorant and
vicious, and the dishonest. who had no
character TO loose. They called them
selves the Church Of the Latter Day
Saints, and organized at Manchester.
under Joe Smith. who issued an cdi-
tion Of 200 copies OF the Book OF
Mormon" at Palmyra. Some three
or four seemingly respectable men OF
that region joined them, which attract
ed more attention. Smith and his fol-
lowers selected Kirkland, Ohio, a. their
City OF Refuge" by inspiration. A.
the blasphemcr said--thc Lord intend
ing and directing that the temple
should be built there Two hundred
composed the first settlement. They
called their book the Golden Bible"
Smith founded bond bank. which Of
course failed, and he found it necessary
to move farther West. Thither has
been the disastrous progress Of these
miserable impostors. whose subsequent
history IS known 10 the world. II
would seem as If there was no form Of
folly or impiety which some human
beings viii not embrace. Polygamy.
blasphemy, rebellion, murder, are the
natural fruits Of this wretchel conspi-
racy, which is troubling the whole
land.-N T. Journal Of Com,aerce.