Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-07-18

maintained they had received no Of
fetal notice Of the withdrawal Of their
dispenations But Il was averred that
when finally the members had heard.
indirectly and Informally. that the
lodge was under sentence Of Suspen-
sion they had ceased to meet and
work as Masons. An appeal was made
in which the following occurred
1--WE are not aware Of any wrong
that we have done and cannot make
any excuse. but We would say that Il II
more than probable that We had COM
mltted errors. as We had not the con-
uitution and bylaws Of tho Grand
Lodge II Illinois, and we had 10 be
governed by old Masons instead Of By
the bylaws Of the Grand Lodge. We
VIII further say that n We had COM
mitted errors. they we're Of the head
and not of the heart. and we would
have most cheerfully abandoned
them They therefore, asked that
then dispensation De renewed or char
ter granted. and that some suitable
brother be sent 10 give them needed
Masonic instruction. They further
requested that Il the charges had been
made against the members either as
men or Masons. that a committee be
sent 70 make thorough inquiry"
A committee was appointed to inves-
tigate the whole matter but. Mr.. Nor
combe says.
THE chairman ~ the same. Bro.
John Montague. Of Warsaw. was al
together untitled Tor the task and the
place lie was n bitter opponent Of
the Mormons, and this bitterness
was evidenced even in his Masonic
communications"
The result was that fellowship was
withdrawn from the lodges complain
ed Of and word was sent to all the
Grand Lodges 10 deny an association
with them. The writer proceeds.
During this year. 1874. the popular
passions which had been heretofore par
TALLY repressed. broke out In unre-
strained violence against the Mormons
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum,
despite the pledged faith OF a weak
and yarllatlng governor. and while
guarded by troops OF the state, were
assassinated I'm the Jail az Carthage.
Then followed a period Of persecution
for the Saints the true story ~ which
VIII always be source ~ shame 70
the commonwealth. The sectarles re-
81 -
further endurance were finally forced
20 forsdke the homes they had made
beautiful and prosperous. The Nor
mon Masonic lodges at least those IN
Illinois. were thus effectually dispersed,
and are heard OF no more.
Mr. Morecombc goes on TO show the
inslncerity Of the pretenses At pun
ishing the assassins of the Prophet and
Patriarch. and remarks
"The farcical trials which followed the
assssslnations az Carthage involved
citizens OF Warsaw. II became q mat
ter Of community pride 10 sustain the
men thus accused. and they we're un-
duly honored Several of them. while
under Indictment for murder made APP
pllcatlon and were hurrledly elected
10 membership In Warsaw Lodge No.
Pa proceeding certainly az grossly
un.Masonic as any which formed the
basis Of accusations against the Nor
mon Masons'
There Is a great deal more Of histor-
ical interests In the article In The New
Axe from which we have made these
quotations II is n value In the an
nails ~ "Mormonism" and gives par
ticulars that We have not heretofore
seen in public print. The writer speaks
Of the claim Of the Mormon Masons
that they were unjustly treated, and
Masons we're among the murderers Of
their leaders, and says:
Without az an seeking 10 make out
the Mormon contention that these men
accused were guilty OF the crime, II is
nevertheless evident that the defense
made for them Is very weak There Is
plain attempt 10 confuse the issue
Whatever may have been the duties
enjoined by Masonry IN defense ~ a
brother there is no obligation exist
ing 20 shield outsiders They should
come 10 the doors Of a lodge without
even suspicion Of wrong-doing such as
this. Were it within the province Of
this paper 10 analyze the evidence, Il
could at least be shown that the much
dreaded Mormon persecution was alto
gether imaginary That those people
~ tho time were absolutely helpless,
and only the promptlngs az utter de-
spalr could have made them dangerous
20 their spoilers II was another ease
Of the wolf accusing the lamb Of ioullng
the stream from which he drank. that
he might AT least have excuse for de-
vourng the offender"
: Those events are far In the past and
We have no desire 10 recall them with
intent to arouse ill-feellng or provoke
dispute. but We are sure that a day
will come when the Grand Master ~ all
/ win sit As Judge over the acts Of
mankind and justice win be dealt out
10 Masons rs well as "Mormons
REJECTED SUIT0RS KILL.