The Mormons

We regret to learn that the fell spirit of persecution towards this religious denomination, which has cast such a reproach upon the people of Missouri, is taking root in our own State. We will not go so far as to call the leaders of the Mormons martyr-mongers, but we believe they are men of sufficient sagacity to profit by any thing in the shape of persecution, and fear but little from it.-To constitute martyrdom, there must be both persecution and sympathy. And with a humane people, the latter follows the former.-The Mormons have greatly profited by their persecution in Missouri, and let war be commenced here so that the first person shall be killed, and the cry of martyrdom is heralded throughout the Union to the great profit of the Mormons and the disgrace of our State.

But what is this Mormon religion that the intrinsic excellence of the code of our blessed Savior is insufficient to compete with it without physical force? Are we to glorify a God of infinite mercy and goodness by worshiping [worshipping] him as Moloch who delights in human sacrifices? Will the destruction of a few enlighten the minds of the other Mormons?-But there is no reasoning with religious persecutors, generally the foulest hypocrites on earth, whose burning zeal for the Lord and Soviour [Savior] is generally lighted up at the alter of worldly ambition. A minister, who is afraid to encounter the doctrines of Jo. Smith should be made to quit the pulpit; and the man who enlists in a personal crusade against the Mormons, who have a right to preach just what they please, should suffer the proper penalty for larceny, arson, or murder, as the case may be. Let Illinois repeat the bloody tragedies of Missouri and one or two other States follow, and the Mormon religion will not only be throughout our land, but will be very extensively embraced. We hope the friends of civil order in the Bounty Tract will extinguish this smouldering [smoldering] fire of persecution, knowing that a fire merely material can never do away with the intellectual darkness of the Mormons.

The remains of the Emperor Napolean [Napoleon] have been removed to France under the national flag, attended with all the splendor and ceremony of his rank:-his dying wish is now accomplished.

In looking over the news of the day, it is plain to discover that wickedness abounds, and men "grow worse and worse." Almost every paper is employed in giving long detailed accounts of horrible murders, suicides, Mail roberies [robberies], highway robery [robbery], burglary, arson, &c. &c., a particular account of which would occupy more space than a Journal several times larger than ours could afford: self murder particularly, has become very popular among the higher classes of community.-Men are unsafe in the hands of their neighbors-they are unsafe in the hands of strangers;-and to cap the climax, they are unsafe in their own hands.

Cold Weather.-At daylight on Sunday morning, the 17th ul time, the thermometer stood at 22 degrees below zero, in this city.