Mobocracy
Times and Seasons, vol. 6, p. 1031
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
We cannot have a better comment on this New Court, than the recent facts in regard to the Convention at Carthage, for the expulsion of the Mormon Fanatics.
That convention was gathered from two or three counties-in a civil government, aside from State authority, without the countenance of the Federal Executive, passing their fiat upon the fortunes, destinies, and property of a population of perhaps 15 or 20,000! The census just taken (last week,) makes the population of Nauvoo proper to consist of 11,057 souls-without the limits it is supposed there is a third more! At Nauvoo may now be heard the notes of busy preparation, and we might add, the sound of hammers
"Closing rivets up."
Would it were those of boxes and merchandize [merchandise] alone.
We have no more sympathy with the Mormons than with the Abolitionists, and alike abominate both-but if the "ipse dixit" of any popular casuality [casualty] is to be the fiat of command; if any minority is to forego home and sacrifice property, and flee to isles of the sea, at the caprice of any majority, if such be Democracy, then is it indeed true, that man's worst enemies are those of his own household.-Saint Louis Evening Gazette.
(->) It is well that all men have not become entirely destitute of feeling the true principles which must make up the catalogue of our country's virtue and glory. The Mormon community embrace men and women of the best blood of the earth, and it is idle to suppose that they can be expelled from the United States, by mob violence, while government with folded hands, nods assent, without kindling the anger or indignation of friendly spirits in England, Scotland, upon the islands of the sea, or even of our own land.
From 15 to 20000 persons are "busy" preparing for their "exodus" next spring,
"Closing rivets up,"
And "hiding kindred love,"
for a better place, than graces the sterile plains where freedom once was! Truly have we learnt [learned] that "is not what is taken into the stomach of the nation that defiles it, but it is what is cast out." "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come!"