The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-14
For the DiSpatch.l
1Hah0mcd and Brigham YOuns..A Pa
r,llel TO the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Mas


rnIlei TO the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Mas
sacrc.
Owing to certain events the public atten-
ton has been particularly. directed OF late
to the MoslemS in the East and the Mormons
in tho West. The Russo-rurkish war on
the one band and the death OF the Mormon
leader and prophet on the other have very
naturally led to inquiries concerning the
two "false prophets,' particularly when
their peculiar religious teachings and the
blind fanaticism OF their followers present
so many points Of similarity. Both adro-
Gated polygamy as the groundwork Of their
religions; both pretended to have received
revelations by supernatural agency from
heaven; both embodied these respectively
in the "Koran" and the .'Book OF Nor
mon"; and, it might be added, both added
to these whenever any questionable act OF
theirs required a color of justification for
their crimes.
But, leaving here the similarity Of their
religions, the present object is TO call attcn-
ton to an act in the life of Mahomed which
has it's parallel in the "Mountain-bI Meadow
massacre" instigated by Brigham Young
This was the expedition against the Cara
vans of Mecca. Mahomed having in per-
son directed three OF these without material
|
named Abdallah Ibn lasch, who was sent
with eight or ten followers on the road to-
ward South Arabia. This was now the
holy month of Radjab, sacred from yio-
lence and rapine; and Abdallah was fur
nisbed with sealed OrQerS+, not to be open
ed till the next day. These were vague and
ambiguous, and ordered him to repair to
the Valley of Naklah, between Mecca and
Tayef. "Perhaps," said the letter OF in
structions, "thou marest be able 10 prlnS
us some tidings OF it."
The historian says: 'Abdallah understood
the true meaning of the letter and acted up
to it. Arriving at the Valley Of Naklah he
deserted caravan laden with merchandise
and conducted by four men. Following it
at a distance, lie sent one of his men, dis
quised as pilgrim, to ouertohce 1t. From
the words Of the latter the Roreishltes sup
posed his companions to be like himself,
pilgrims bound to Mecca. Besides, it was
the month OF Radiab, when the desert
might be travelled in security. Scarce had
Mev come to a halt, hoeocuer, arhen Abdallah
and his comrades fell on them; killed one
and took t,po prisoners; the fourth escaped.
| The victors then returned to Medina with
| their prisoners and booty"
Mahomed pretended to be angry with Abb
scandalized by this outrage, and refused at
first to take his share OF the booty. The
clamor still continuing that such dastardy
act had been committed during the holy
month, he produced the following passage
| of the Koran: "They will ask thee concern
Ing the sacred month whether they may
make war therein. Answer: TO war therein
is grievous; but to deny God, to bar the
path OF God against his people, to drive true
| believers from his holy temple, and to wor-
ship idols, are sins far more grevous than
to kill in the holy months"
| After having proclaimed this "diyine
sanction - for this deed Mahomed did not
scruple to take his share of tho booty. He
delivered one OF the prisoners on ransom.
and the other embraced Islamism. f,
| In connection with this crime OF fahom-
ed it has been well observed, "The first
drop OF blood shed in his name in the Holy
Week displayed him man in whom the
slime OF earth had quenched the holy flame
Of prophecy" -
In the Mountain Meadow massacre, then,
we have 60 hiStory repeating ITSELF" Both
these deeds were committed in the name OF
| religion. In Brigham Young as the guiding
spirit, and John D. Lee as the instrument
| to carry out his designs, there IS but re-
| production OF Mahomed and Abdallah 1bn
iasch. Mountain Meadow is but another
| Valley OF Naklah and the deception and
| butchery OF the poor immigrants is but a
| repetition OF the betrayal and murder OF
the unsuspecting camel-driyerS. Is.