Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-06-22
MOBBING "MonMoNs."

The Lyttleton Times, published at
Chrstchurch New Zealand, contains
the following under the heading Of "A
Mormon Hunt"
1T Is evident that a section Of the
people OF Chrlstchurch are determined,
so far as possible. 70 prevent the apos-
ties Of Mormonism propagating their
doctrine In this city, as every evening
during last week their meetings We're
subject to Interruptions. Last night,
Elders Duncan and Wilson were just
about 10 commence their addresses In
Cathedral Square, being surrounded by
a crowd Of two or three hundred per-
sons, when an organized rush was made
on them. and they were badly hustled.
Duncan had his cane taken from him.
and his hat was Knocked off, and some
OF the bystanders endeayored to seize
the torch which Wilson carried. The
crowd closed in, and soon pushed the
apostles into the center OF the square,
hooting them the whole time. AS they
were being pushed along up Colombo
street, the two Mormons managed,
with the assistance Of Constable Me-
Cormick to escape into tram car
which was just ready to start for
Papanul crowd of nearly a thous-
and people mostly young lads, sur
rounded the car yelling Down with
the 'Mormons, and No seven wives
here. When the car moved off, the
crowd followed 1t TO the corner OF Ar
magh street, where apparently they
had had enough running. The constable
boarded the tram, and accompanied the
Elders for some distance up Victoria
street and then. finding that the crowd
had been left behind. he got of
Some OF the ringleaders, thinking
that the Elders would get off the tram
at Salisbury street. and go to the house
where they took refuge last Sunday
night. led the crowd in that direction,
and fully a couple Of hundred persons
gathered opposite the house. The FL
ders however. did not put In an APP
pearance, having evidently made their
way home BY another route. Inspector
Ellison, who was present with con-
stable. soon dispersed the crowd.
ut is probable, IL the apostles con-
tIntle TO speak I'm Cathedral Square, and
thereby collect crowds, by which Il Is
likely breach Of the peace may be
under the Police Offences Act
The missionaries referred to In the
foregoing are Elders George Clinton OF
Wilson, Weber county and Don d.
Duncan Of Salt Lake City They were
stlll holding their street meetings at
last accounts, and seemed to have the
countenance of the police authorities
our brethren usually obtain permission
from the mayor or other dignitary be-
fore they attempt 10 hold open air SER
vices in any town or city. We presume
they have done so in this instance
therefore the lntlmatlon that they will
be proceeded against under the police
offences act" does not carry much
weight.
We fail TO find In the paper that
prints these particulars, any adverse
comment on the conduct Of the mob In
the city where II is published Instead
Of threatening proceedings against the
Elders who were violating no law, the
Times ought 10 nave ihNohtu tHe "'u
of the police Cor the protection Of the
preachers, and against the mob Vio-
lence OF the populace
Ignorance and prejudice are the cause
Of such brutality as that described in
the Lyttleton Times, and only enlight-
eminent and freedom from intolerance
will overcome those evils. Free thought
and free speech are supposed to pre-
vail In New Zealand, and It Is the duty
Of free press to maintain that liberty.
II Is not likely that our missionaries
win yield to such forces as those that
appear TO suit the Chrstchurch paper,
but they should submit TO every regula-
ton established by legitimate author
ity. The turbulent opposition to their
ministry Is q sign that there are some
honest souls in the neighborhood, for
the Adversary usually stirs up a tenn
pest when there IL likelihood Of saliva
ton coming TO them. We shall expect
to hear good missionary news from
Chrlstchurch New Zealand.