The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-04-02
voI u-NO. 40. WHOLE NO 1O1.i Il s>@>..~-
MORMONISM IN ILLINOIS.

difficulty with their adversaries would neces-
sarily cease with the death of their prophet
and dictator. They believed that Smith was
the soul of their organization, and that af-
ter he should perish the fanatics would be
compelled to disband their forces, and find
a refuge in some locality where their reli-
gion would be viewed with less suspicion,
and where they would be less annoyed
with persecution. In this conclusion the
Anti Mormons were altogether Mistaken
True, there was short and rather fierce
struggle between the various factions in
Nauvoo, headed by Brigham Young and
Sidney Rigdon, in which, however, the bru-
tai energy of Brigham triumphed over the
more acute and intellectual resources Of
Rigdon, who was compelled to fly from the
city Of the saints to avoid the vengeance Of
his triumphant rival.
Brigham coolly seated himself on the
throne of the prophet, and by his vigorous
rule crushed all disafection for year the
voice of discord was hushed, and all inquiry
into the official acts of the dictator was sti-
fed. At the end of that period, in the au-
tumn of l645, blow was struck at Mormon
ism in Illinois more disastrous and terrible
than any which had previously been inflicted,
and which involved in its consequences the
final and complete banishment of fanaticism
from the State. The Mormons had estab-
lished in the surrounding country a number
of fourishing settlements. These were at
tackled by the Anti -Mormons; houses were
burned and farms desolated. So sudden
were the movements of the insurgents, that
near one hundred houses were destroyed be-
fore resistance could be organized. The
sheriff of the county, Jealous friend Of the
Mormons, eventually marched a strong Nor
mon force from Naavoo into the infected
district, and dispersed the rioters. He dis
charged his duty with the most unjustifable
violence. Several lives were lost in his con-
ficts with the Anti Mormons, who, in their
turn, appealed to the Governor for protec.
ton. Upon their application a force was
raised under the proclamation of the Exec
utive, numbering near one thousand men,
which was placed under command of Gene
raj Hardin, who subsequently perished so
gloriously at Buena Vista. This force was
Immediately marched to Nauvoo. Through
the mediation and influence Of General Har-
din, the beliigcrcnt parties were brought to
terms Of accommodation a treaty was
agreed upon, by which the Mormons obliga-
ted themselves to remove from the State of
Illinois carly the following spring. 1t was
agreed by the Anti Normons that they should
cease from their hostile movements, and in
all lawful ways assist the Mormons in the sale
of their property. This agreement was rat
fled by the whole Mormon population, as
sembled " en- masse" for that purpose, who
resolved that the Church should march into
the wilds OF California, beyonu the limits and
jurisdiction of the United States.
The year of" forty six Witnessed scene
at Nauvoo as novel and curious US has ever
been exhibited in modern times. 1t witness
ed the desertion of home, of civilization, and
the protection of the law, by the Mormons,
for the peaceful enjoyment of false and
licentous creed. Early in the spring of that
year, they commenced in good earnest their
preparations for their long and toilsome
march to the far West. The bulk of their
real estate had already been bartared away
to the huckSterIng gentiles, in exchange for
cattle and wagons, which We're to carry them
to the land Of promise. The residue of their
lands and houses which were vc: unsold
were stu in the market at reduced prices,
and their owners, intent on emigration,
were leaving no cxpedient untried to effect
an exchange for an available outfit for the
w3it'In .,s. The public houses Of the city
w"r' r ow'!ed with a multitude Of visitors
ftaH all portions Of the West. attracted to
thr ;; OF iry th' chrapness Of the property
n ~ oil red for sale. The sharp and wary
d'ner IN real estate, weighing well his chan
ccs hrforc lac made IN investment in :" Nor
mon lots:' the dealer in dry goods. with II
meagrc and unsanble collection Of the frng-
ments # what once no doubt been respect
able stock in trade; the professional gambler.
with his pack Of marked cards his only cap
ltal, awniting with commcndable patience
his opportunity to pluck some unguarded
co ntrymcn, Were all congregated together
in some close bar room, insulfcrable from
the fumes Of whi>krv and tobacco, or were
bustljng through the streets, striving for the
attainment Of the various objects of their
pursuit.
Tue Mormon authorities had already shift
ted the scene of their imposturcs to the
wilderness west Of Iowa. There the impos-
tor brigham had planted his standard
ar und which had already clustered more
than fve thousand tried and true friends,
who with him had escaped from the fiery
persecution of the vindctivc gentilcs, to
breathe the free air of the wild prairie, and
en- Joy without restraint the unlicensed In
diligence of their debasing faith. There on
the silent bosom of the wilderness, which
had not yet submitted to the con1uering
march of American enterprise and civiliza-
tlon, did the fanatic pause in his endless
journey.
1t was indeed necessary that every effort
sbO he m Ia m boc or VT
from Nauvoo. The Anti -Mormons had con-
strucd their treaty to read that the Mormons
were bound by their contract to leave the
State by the first of May at all hazards, and
that unless the whole of them should be re-
moved against that time, they should be re-
moved by force Of arms. Although the Nor
mons objected strcnuously to this construc-
ton of their contract, they abated none Of
their effort to make good their retreat be-
yond the reach of their enemies.
The first of May was now approaching !;
and the Governor, under the belief that the
Mormons were quietly carrying out the stip-
ulatlons of their treaty, and that the Anti
Mormons, well satisfied with their efforts,
had no disposition to create any further dis
turbances, caused the Withdrawal and dis
banding of the volunteer company stationed
at Nauvoo. The Anti Mormons, however,
were far from being satisfied. They had
been so often deceived by the false repre-
sentatons and pretenses of the prescribed
sect, and had so long looked upon all their
acts with suspicion and mstrust, that it was
impossible now to satisfy their Jealous watch
fulncss. If it were true, as they were in
formed from time to time, that tho Mormons
were leaving Nauvoo in such vast numbers,
they were apt to inquire why it was that the
population was Sc little reduced. They
we're led to believe that the intention of the
Mormons to emigrate was not so general Us
had been represented. Brigham had in
formed the masses in the name of the Lord,
that the saints should never again have seed
time or harvest in the land Of the gentiles
yet despite of this prophetic mandate, and
amid all the hurry Of preparation and depart
ture, the Anti Mormons were able to per-
ceive that quite a number of the Mormons
were engaged in planting crops which would
not mature until long after the stipulated
time for their departure. Another phase Of
deception now developed itself amongst the
Mormons. Many of those who had emigra-
ted to Nauvoo and purchased property ap-