Mormon History
Position of Non-Mormon Journalists - 1841
The Warsaw Signal – June 16, 1841
OUR POSITION -- AGAIN.
We have several times been
asked whether we profess to represent the Whig party in the controversy
in which we have engaged, relative to the Mormon ascendancy in this county. If
by the Whig party is meant certain individuals calling themselves leaders, who
make Party their God, and sacrifice everything at her shrine -- or if is meant
those kind-hearted and sympathetic gentlemen whose feelings are so deeply
touched at the idea of "persecution." as our poor action of
self-defense is perversely termed -- or if is meant that class of
high-minded politicians whose highest glory is to fawn upon and flatter Joe
Smith, and who are ready to toss coppers for the honor of escorting him from
place to place -- or if is meant that class of persons who yet think the Mormons
may be some political utility in future elections -- we answer, that we
do not profess to represent any of these. On the contrary, we profess to
represent in this controversy those high-minded and independent citizens of
Hancock who dare to think, and fear not to speak their thoughts.
We profess to represent those of both political parties, who are not
shackled by self-interest, and who have the manliness to stand up for their
rights in opposition to the dictates of a political and military Church. We
profess to represent that class of our fellow citizens who would save the
country and state from the disgrace of being ruled by an ignorant and
unprincipled aspirant for power -- from the degradation of submitting to
religious despotism in a land of freedom and laws. We profess to represent
those, too, who are not willing to wait until they are trodden under foot before
they make resistance.
In this controversy, therefore, we act not as politicians -- nor do we believe
that those who have proper views of the question will suffer political feeling
in the least to sway their conduct. In this neighborhood, party feeling is
almost entirely absorbed in the determination to oppose the further progress of
political Mormonism. Members of both parties unite cordially in battling with a
power which threatens to deprive us of our dearest rights. Let but the
independent and unbought citizens throughout the county act with the same
determination, and political leaders will soon learn to treat him as he deserves
-- namely, as an arrant knave and impostor, who has duped hundreds to follow his
foul standard through rebellion and blood, and who now takes advantage of the
misery and suffering which he himself has occasioned them, in order to arouse
public sympathy in his behalf. -- This is our position.
An Important Query.
Do the People of the State of Illinois know, and do the constituted authorities know, that Mormons who reside in Iowa, cross the river to muster at Nauvoo -- and are supplied with arms and other equipment for that purpose, from the Quarter Master's Department of this State? These things are susceptible of proof.
It is said that Mr. Browning's eloquence, in describing the persecution of the
Mormons, on the trial of Joe Smith, at Monmouth, last week, drew tears from the
eyes of Judge Douglass.
Query -- Were there any onions about?
THE HABEAS CORPUS. --
We noticed the fact, last week, of the arrest of Joe Smith, under a warrant from
the Governor, on a demand made by the Governor of Missouri, and of his having
been brought before Judge Douglass, at Monmouth, on a writ of Habeas Corpus.
We since learn, that after a hearing of the case he was discharged -- on the
grounds of the illegality of the writ.
We learn that the horse-mill of Mr. Davidson Hibbard, two miles below Nauvoo,
was destroyed by fire on the night of the [31st] ultimo. It is supposed to be
the work of an incendiary.