The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-08-13
MORE HARTYRs.

A telegram IN another place OF
this issue of THE HERALD gives
some OF the particulars Of the
''breaking up" of a Mormon organi-
zatiOn in Lewis and Hickman coun-
ties, Tennessee. The way in which
the organization was broken up, was
by killing four elders and wounding
one woman, by bsnd OF twelve
masked nsn. The dispatch reads
strangely in the evening Of the
nineteenth century, and In free and
enlightened America an age which
boasts more enlightsnment and
greater religious freedom than any
other since the world began. and a
country which rejoiees in knowing
no fect or creed, but-extends well
come and offers protection to all
believers and unbelievers, worship-
ers and scoffers. Ef the Jews had
come by cable, the incident occur
rIngin the benighted far east where
the people had not lived under the
benign influence ofsChristianity, the
matter might have been regarded as
depIorable but not startling; but the
affair trannpired in the heart of this
glorious and enlightened nation,
and within few hours ride of the
capital city. Wherever there are
honest men and women, wherever
the spirit and influence of Christ
are felt, this massacre'will cause
feeling Of shame and excite pang
of sorrow. People who love their
country will blush to think that a
crime Of this character can be per-
petEated In a community which
processes civilization and regard
for law and the teachings of reli-
gion. The Circumstance that the
MormOns and their doctrines are
unpopular and Offensive cannot be
pleaded as justification of a deed Of
this kind; indeed, II the Morsnons
are held TO be in error and their
teachings false, Christianity, moral
ity, intelligence all urge the leading
them into the right path by the per-
HuasIon Of reason and better
example.
In the light Of history, the sug-
gestien that the Mormon organiza-
ton in Lewis and Hickman eoun.
ties has been ttbroken up" by these
murders Is remarkable. Deeds OF
this character never retarded the
growth Of q sect, much less killed it.
The southern people should bt
thoroughly familiar with this fact
Slnce the Mormons have been oper-
ating In the south the elders hav'
been subjected to,much persecution
of a violent nature, and after every
act of oppression and unlawful an
noyanee their labors have beensat'
tended by greater results, and rev
converts to the religion they teHci
been added. A few years ago |
young elder was mRrdered in Geor
gia, and the impetus given thereby
to the church work was marked ant
go it must he In this instance unles
human motives and religious IN
fuences and tendencies az old a
religion itself shall be reversed
on this occasion. 1t is q terrible
price-the sacrificing CT martyrs
for spreading religious doctrines, bu
twill he paid and eheerfully as it ha
been in the past. "a grow!h of Nor
monism in Tennessee more marked
than.eVer before is predicted as tn,
natural result of Sundays murders
That the murderers will be pun
ished Tor their CRIME we do not be
lieve. A public sentiment that pei
mits the growth, development sn
msnifet taiion of the murderous in
fuence in such a case as this is no
OF the kind that win insist up0l
bringing the guilty to justice.
show of regard Tor the law may b
seen, bat it will not run to the ez
tent Of applying the law.