CHAPTER XII.

Problems in Missouri

The difficulties which had been for some time accumulating between the
inhabitants of Missouri and the followers of Smith, began now to assume a more
serious aspect. About a year previous, a small newspaper had been started at
Independence, in which were published, monthly, the orders and decrees of the
prophet, which were called revelations, together with all the other wild and
fanatical dogmas of the sect. Like pilgrims to the tomb of Mahomet, they
continued to wend their way from different parts, to the "promised land." To
accomplish this journey was the
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height of their ambition. They really supposed their prophet had at that place
opened the very gates of Heaven to them, and nothing else was necessary to
insure all temporal and spiritual blessings, but their arrival there. Those of them
who did not choose to sacrifice their property, however, stayed behind, leaving
the poor, and those not encumbered with property, to be the pioneers. Their
numbers, men, women and children, were now about 1200 in Jackson county.
Besides the printing apparatus, they had also a mercantile establishment,
(denominated the "Lord's Store House,") and some mechanic shops in
Independence. This village was made their head quarters, although their converts
had effected small settlements in different parts of the country. Smith had
appointed as his Bishops, one Edward Partridge, a very honest and industrious
hatter, of Painesville, Ohio, who had, withal, a comfortable stock of the good
things of the world. He was stationed at Independence, and had the sole control
of all the temporal and spiritual affairs of the colony, always obedient, however,
to the revelations promulgated by Smith, who still sat perched upon his throne,
in Kirtland, with Rigdon, and most of his family connexions.
Under these circumstances, the people of Jackson Co., became somewhat excited
and alarmed for their civil rights. Enmity had been for some time increasing, till
finally an open rupture ensued. On the 20th July, 1833, a meeting was held of
400 or 500 persons, at Independence. They avowed their object to be, to take
some effectual means to rid themselves if their fanatical neighbors. Col. Richard
Simpson was appointed Chairman, and Col. J.D. Lucas and J.H. Flournoy,
Postmaster, Secretaries. A Committee was then appointed to report an address
to the public, in relation to the object of the meeting. This Committee soon after
submitted an address, which was unanimously adopted.
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The address represented that the Mormonites in that county numbered about
1200 souls, -- that each successive spring and autumn poured forth its swarms
among them, with a gradual falling off of their characters, until they had nearly
reached the low condition of the black population -- that the citizens were daily
told that they were to be cut off, and their lands appropriated to the Mormons
for inheritances -- that they sometimes said this was to be accomplished either
by the destroying angel, or by their own power, under the direction of God. The
said Committee expressed their fears, that, should this population continue to
increase they would soon have all the offices in the county in their hands: and
that the lives and property of the other citizens would be insecure, under the
administration of men who are so ignorant and superstitious as to believe that
they have been the subjects if miraculous and supernatural cures, professing to
hold converse with God and Angels, -- possessing and exercising the gift of
divination and unknown tongues, and are withal so poor, as to be unable to
procure bread and meat. The Committee further state, that "one of the means
resorted to by them, in order to drive us to emigrate, is an indirect invitation to
the free brethren of color in Illinois, to come like the rest, to the land of Zion."
In conclusion, the Committee say, "of their pretended revelations from Heaven,
their personal intercourse with God and his angels -- the maladies they pretend
to heal, by the laying on of hands, and the contemptible gibberish with which
they habitually profane the Sabbath, and which they dignify by the appellation
of "unknown tongues," we have nothing to say. Vengeance belongs to God alone.
But as to the other matters set forth in this paper, we feel called upon by every
consideration of self-preservation, good society, public morals, and the fair
prospect, if not blasted in the germ, that awaits this young and beautiful
country, at once to declare: --
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"1st. That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this
county.
"2d. That those now here, who shall give a definite pledge of their
intention, within a reasonable time, to remove out of the county,
shall be allowed to remain unmolested until they shall have
sufficient time to sell their property, and close their business
without any sacrifice.
"3d. That the editor of the "Star," be required forthwith to close
his office, and discontinue the business of printing in this county:
and as to all other stores and shops belonging to the sect, their
owners must in every case comply with the terms strictly,
agreeably to the 2d article of this declaration: and upon failure,
prompt and efficient measures will be taken to close the same.
"4th. That the Mormon leaders here, are required to use their
influence in preventing any further emigration of their distant
brethren to this country, and counsel and advise their brethren to
comply with the above requisitions.
"5th. That those who fail to comply with the above requisitions, be
referred to those of their brethren who have the gift of tongues,
to inform them of the lot that awaits them."
After the propositions of the Committee had been considered and adopted, it was
"Resolved, That a committee of twelve be appointed forthwith to wait on the
Mormon leaders, and see that the foregoing requisitions be strictly complied with
by them; and upon their refusal, that the said Committee do as the organ of the
county, inform them that it is our unwavering determination and fixed purpose,
after the fullest consideration of all the consequences and responsibilities under
which we act, to use such means as shall insure their complete and full
adoption; and that said Committee, so far as may be in their power, report to
this present meeting."
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The Committee of twelve were appointed, composed of the most prominent men
in the county, both civil and military. After an adjournment of two hours, the
meeting again convened, and the Committee reported that they had called upon
the Editor, the Bishop, and the "keeper of the Lord's Store House," and others,
"who declined giving any direct answer, to the requisitions made of them, and
wished an unreasonable time for consideration, not only with their brethren here,
but the prophet in Ohio." Whereupon, it was unanimously resolved by the
meeting, that the printing office should be razed to the ground, and the type and
press secured. This is said, by the meeting, to have been accomplished with but
little noise or disturbance, or any personal injury. The Mormon account, however,
is, that there was a great tumult, books and printed sheets destroyed, the Bishop
and one other person tarred and feathered, and that the keeper of the Store was
compelled to pack up his goods and close his door.
The meeting was then adjourned for three days, when a much larger assemblage
took place. Another Committee of seventeen was then appointed to wait upon
the Mormon leaders, who had intimated a wish to have a conference. -- In two
hours this committee reported to the meeting, that they had entered into an
amicable agreement with them, in writing, and that they had assured the editor
of the Star that whenever he was ready to remove, the amount of all his losses
should be paid to him by the citizens. The contract was in the following words:
"Memorandum of an agreement between the undersigned of the
Mormon society, in Jackson County, Missouri, and a Committee
appointed by a public meeting of the citizens of said County, made
the 22d day of July, 1833:
"It is understood that the undersigned members of the society do
give their solemn pledges each for himself, as follows, to wit:
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"That Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps. Wm. McClelland. Edward
Partridge, Lyman Wight, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer,
and Harvey Whitlock, shall remove with their families out of this
county, on or before the 1st day of January next; and that they,
as well as the two hereinafter mentioned, use all their influence to
induce all the brethren now here, to remove as soon as possible --
one half, say, by the 1st of January next, and all by the 1st of
April next, to advise and try all means in their power to stop any
more of their sect from moving to this county; and as to those
now on the road, they will use their influence to prevent them
settling permanently in this county, that they shall only make
arrangements for their temporary shelter, till a new location is
agreed on for the Society. John Carol and Alge rnon Gilbert are
allowed to remain as general agents to wind up the business of the
Society, so long as necessity shall require: -- and said Gilbert may
sell out his merchandize now on hand, but is to make no new
importations.
"The Star is not again to be published -- nor a press set up by any
of the Society in this county.
"If the said Edward Partridge, and W. W. Phelps move their families
by the 1st of January, as aforesaid, that they themselves will be
allowed to go and come in order to transact and wind up their
business.
"The Committee pledge themselves to use all their influence to
prevent any violence being used, so long as a compliance with the
foregoing terms are observed by the parties concerned, to which
agreement is subscribed the names of the above named
Committee, as also those of the Mormon brethren named in the
Report as having been present."
Tranquillity was thus measurably restored for a time. -- The Mormons made no
pretensions for removing, but applied to the Governor for relief. He informed them
that
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he could furnish them no aid in the business, until they had resorted to the laws,
and ascertained that they could not be enforced. They, therefore, commenced
civil suits for the loss of property. From this proceeding the citizens began to
conclude that the Mormons did not intend to perform any part of their stipulation,
and about the last of October, the people of the county again commenced
depredations. Forty or fifty made an attack upon a small portion, about ten miles
from the head-quarters, unroofed severa l houses, whipped some of the men, and
frightened some of the women and children. The next night attacks were made
upon another branch, and upon the "Lord's Store House," and the dwelling of its
keeper, in Independence. For two or three days following, several parties met
each other with fire arms, in which two of the citizens and one of the Mormons
were killed. The Mormons were finally compelled to cross the Missouri river into
Clay county.
These proceedings, on the part of the people of Jackson county, were in total
disregard of all law, and must be condemned by all. They were wholly at war with
every principle of right, and the genius of our institutions. Outrages can never be
justified upon any ground, although the reasons which induced them, ought to be
stated. Among the Mormon fanatics, as among every other combination, there are
the prudent and the imprudent -- some who are very civil agreeable citizens, and
some who are extremely intolerant, unmannerly, bigoted and supercilious --
priding themselves greatly upon their being supposed the peculiar favorites of
Heaven, and their possession of greater light than all the world besides. These
latter it is who deal out the anathemas, disclose the secret plottings, and expose
the fanatical notions and opinions which have been conceived by the leaders of
this sect. The Mormons have endeavored to inculcate the belief, as extensively
as possible,
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that their difficulties with the people of Jackson county, have arisen solely on
account of their religion -- because they were more pure and holy than any of
their neighbors, and for that reason alone, they have been persecuted as were
the Apostles of old. This we are not disposed to believe. Their first salutations to
every community that does not believe their book and pretensions, are, that
destruction awaits them for their unbelief -- that there has been no Christian
church upon earth for 1400 years -- no one has had any authority to administer
ordinances till Smith dug out his golden bible -- that he is the appointed one of
God, to re-establish a church, and all that do not come to him for power and
instructions will be damned. Add to this, some among them frequently boast of
their increasing strength, and that consequently they will soon be enabled to
possess themselves of all the secular power of the country, as they already have
the spiritual. This they calculate to accomplish by concentrating their forces in
particular neighborhoods. We have been credibly informed that Rigdon has given
it as his opinion that the Mormons will be able to elect a member of Congress in
five years, and that in three years they would take the offices in the town of
Kirtland. They say that when they get the secular power into their hands, every
thing will be performed by immediate revelations from God. We shall then have
Pope Joseph the First, and his hierarchy.
Such things have been thrown out, and have no doubt, had a strong agency in
bringing about the outrages in Missouri.
Again, one of their articles of faith is, that the Indians of North America, in a very
few years, will be converted to Mormonism, and through rivers of blood will again
take possession of their ancient "inheritance," As their bible pretends to be a
record of the aborigines, every
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effort will be made to inculcate a belief in it among them. To facilitate this
project, was one strong ground for their establishing themselves in Missouri,
knowing that the general government was taking active measure s to remove all
the Indians west of the Mississippi. Were it possible, therefore, for Mormonism to
be inculcated among the tribes of the west, a religious spirit would be easily
excited. -- One of the imaginary prophets in the Book of Mormon, says that such
events will take place. He says. "Therefore, I write unto you, Gentiles, (the
whites,) and also unto you, house of Israel, (the Indians,) when the work shall
commence (Mormonism) that ye shall be about to return to the land of your
inheritance." Again, in speaking to the Indians, "Know ye that ye are of the
House of Israel. Know ye that you must lay down your weapons of war, and
delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be
that God shall command you" -- (through the mouth of Smith.) He also
prophesyed that they should be "driven and scattered by the Gentiles," and after
that the Lord would remember his covenant with Abraham. -- And then, "O ye
Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God -- therefore, repent ye, lest
a remnant of the seed of Jacob (meaning the Indians) shall go forth among you
as a lion, and tear you to pieces, and there is none to deliver."