Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-11-20
THE AsSAssIN'S DOOM.

Peter Mortensen has paid the penalty
imposed for his crime by earthly law.
He IL now In the hands OF Eternal JUS
tice. He slod mans blood and by man
his blood has been shed, The command
of Col to the Church to which he was
once attached Is this:
"Thap shalt not kill; and he that
Kills shall not have forgiveness In
this world, nor In the world 10 come.
Thou shalt not kill but he that kill
eth shall die
VI any persons among YOU shall
kill, they shall be delivered up ana
dealt with according to the laws OF the
land, for remember that he hath no
forgiveness. and II shall be proven ac-
cordlng TO the laws OF the land. doc
and Cow, Sec. 49,
These divine rules have been carried
cut In this cage. Peter Mortensen was
charged with having murdered James
II. Hay under circumstances OF the
most heinous character. He was de-
livered up and dealt with according 70
the iawE OF the land. An Impartial Jury
found him guilty, on convincing evil
dence that LETT no doubt In their minds
or In the mind of the public, Every de.
vice known TO the laws was resorted 10
by his attorneys 10 save him from con-
viotion, and then from execution. The
highest court in the State was repeated.
" appealed 20 on technical grounds
The board Of pardons was applied 60 for
clemency. Researches We're made to
find, II possible. some flaw In the pro-
ceedings which would open the way 10
proceed, under the national Constitu-
lion 10 the Supreme Court OF the Unit
ed States, but no Federal question coul,
be discovered that was involved in the
case, The Governor heard the accused
In person. Every effort proved futile.
There was no law and no reason why
the condemned murderer should escape
his just deserts.
The public have viewed the long de.
lays since his conviction with much inn
patience. The course OF his attorneys
has been criticized sometimes severely.
II should be understood that they had a
solemn and sworn duty to rer.
form, They were under moral
and legal obligations TO do every
thing for their ellen. thl, lay withn
their power, They never tired IN thcii
exertions, They exhausted every
means at command to save him from
violent death, They ought not TO be
blamed for that, bu. are entitled TO
credit for toeir tenaclty and louhful-
ness to the defendants interests. Pa
tlence should be exercised when the life
Of human being Is at stake
and whatever safeguards the law
provides should be afforded so
that the innocent may not suf-
Ter as the guilty. Undue haste IN
such matters IN inhuman and danger
ous, At the same time needless delay
ought not to be prolonged,
Under the decree Of heaven, Us re-
celved and believed in by the Latter
day Saints, member OF the Church
who commits murder shall not nave
forgiveness in this world nor In the
world the come" His crime is aBgra-
waited II he has received those fucred
ordinances by which he Is under specid,
Obligations not to vioule the law Of
Col, Some persons viii wonder whe-
ther there is any hope for such SIN
ner throughout teernity. That rests
With the Eternal Judge Of all men
who alone can determine whether the
culprit has shed innocent blood AMI
can ever come forth into degree Of
glory"
In the Divine mind as revealed from
heaven repentance Is an essential fac
tor in the remission OF sin and IN the
measure Of punishment when that ia
imposed Contriuon ana confession
and retaining from the sin in future
are evidences OF repentance. "By this
ye may know II a man repenteth OF
his sins Behold he will confess them
and forsake them doc. and Gov,
?. 200. Peter Mortensen has not
shown the signs OF true repentance
and now he never can do 80 In this
world. He Is in the hands OF the Lord
and dark eternity Is opened to his
soul
Peter Mortensen has paid the earthly