Falsehoods Refuted

For the Times & Seasons.

E. Robinson, Esq.:-

The following article from the pen of the sapient Editor of the Warsaw Signal is worthy of preservation for the number of palpable falsehoods it contains-

"Difficulty at Montrose.

We understand that on Monday last at Montrose, there was a military training at which the Mormons and citizens united indiscriminately. After the troops were paraded Joe Smith and Gen. Bennett came over from Nauvoo and attempted to inspect them. Upon this Mr. Kilbourn invited the citizens to withdraw from the ranks-which was accordingly done. The Mormons then insulted them, causing much excitement, and at the time our informant left a row was anticipated.

Now what right, we ask, has Joe Smith to go into Iowa Territory, and attempt to order the citizens of that territory as a military officer? Is this not proof positive that he wished to organize a military church? Else why should he take so much interest in the military improvement of his followers who live out of this State? We see in this thing the essential spirit of Mormonism, which is-treason to the Government. Joe Smith, in the government of his followers wishes to

place his authority above that of the State. He is not content therefore that the laws of Iowa should regulate the parades of the saints; but he a citizen of Illinois must interfere his authority, and threaten violence because his authority is disregarded by those not members of his church."

1st. The military parade was not on Monday, (but on Tuesday the 14th,) and the Editor, in my opinion, did not so understand it.

2nd. Generals Smith and Bennett did not attempt to inspect the troops, and the Editor, in my opinion, did not so understand it.

3rd. The citizens did not leave the ranks on the invitation of Mr. Kilbourn, and, in my opinion, the Editor was not so informed.

4th. The Mormons did not insult the other citizens, and there was no excitement, and the Editor was not, in my opinion, so informed.

5th. No row occurred, or was anticipated, between the Mormons and other citizens, neither was the Editor, in my opinion, so informed.

Generals Joseph Smith, John C. Bennett, and Hyrum Smith, and some other citizens of Nauvoo, attended the military parade, at Montrose, on the 14th, as visitors, on the special invitation of General Swazey, and Colonel Fuller, of Iowa, the officers in command. Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith attended attired in plain citizen's garb, as citizens, without the least military appearance about them. Gen. Bennett, and some of his staff officers, its true, appeared in the "splendid and brilliant uniform of the Nauvoo Legion," as the Editor of the Signal is pleased to term it. All passed off with perfect good feeling, and in a highly creditable manner; excepting a disturbance which the Messrs. Kilbourn's attempted to get up by the reading of the following proclamation, which I publish verbatim, et literatim [literati], et punctuatim, from their pen; to wit:

Citizens of Iowa

The laws of Iowa do not require you to muster under or be Reviewed by

Joe Smith or

General Bennett

And should they have the impudence to attempt it, it is hoped that every person having a proper respect for himself will at once

LEAVE THE RANKS-

This, however, had no more effect than the noise of those two dignitaries usually produces. This is a plain statement of facts and for their truth I appeal to Gen. Swazey, Col. Fuller, Lt. Col. Swazey, Maj's King and Billings, Capt's Davis, Swazey, Heffleman, or any other officers of the Montrose Regiment whose name I do not now recollect.

It is by this system of low vituperation, calumny, and detraction, that our enemies expect to abuse the public mind, and produce prejudice against us. The true secret of the case is, (and it may as well be told now as at any other time as the period is fast approaching when the trial will be had,)-the Editor of the Signal wishes to have Hancock County divided, and Warsaw made a county seat-to this the Mormons are generally opposed; and for this opposition, and to accomplish the aforesaid object, an Anti-Mormon party has been organized with the determination of accomplishing it, driving us from the State-but this I trust, will not be effected, as we are a law abiding people, and under it and the broad folds of the Constitutions of our State and Nation we take refuge.

W. Waterman Phelps.

From The Massachusetts [Massachusetts] Spy.