Editorial, 16–17 February 1844, Thomas Bullock Copy
Source Note
JS, Editorial, [, Hancock Co., IL, 16–17 Feb. 1844]. Version copied [17 Feb. 1844]; handwriting of and ; dockets in handwriting of and ; four pages; JS Collection, CHL.
before of the 5th. Judicial Circuit and as no exceptions have ever been taken to that decision, by this or , but had previously entered a on all the old Indictments against the Mormons in the difficulties of 1838, it is taken and granted thatthat decisionwas just! The second, in December 1842, was tried at before in the U. S. District Court, and, from that Honorable discharge, as no exceptions from any source have been made to those proceedings, it follows, as a matter of course, thatthat decisionwas just!! and the third, in July 1843, was tried at the City of before the Municipal Court of said ; and as no exceptions to that discharge, have been taken, and as the says there is “evidence on the other side to shew that the Sheriff of voluntarily carried (who had Mr. Smith in Custody) to the City of , without the <any> coercion on the part of any one,” it must be admitted thatthat decisionwas just!!!
But is any man still unconvinced of the justness of these strictures relative to the two last cases, let the astounding fact go forth, that, , who, swore, was the principal in his assassination, and, as accessary to which Mr. Smith was arrested, has returnedhome “clear ofthat sin.” In fact there was not a witness to get up an Indictment<— against him.>
The Messrs. Avery’s, who were unlawfully “transported out of this ,” have returned to their families in peace, and there seems to be no ground for contention: no cause for jealousy; and no excuse for a surmise that any man, woman, or child, will suffer the least inconvenience, from General Smith; the Charter of ; the city of ; or even any of her citizens. There is nothing for a bone of contention! even those Ordinances which appeared to excite the feeling of some people, have recently been repealed— so that, if the “intelligent” inhabitants of , want peace; want to abide by the ’s advice; want to have a character abroad grow out of their character at home; and really mean to follow the Savior’s golden rule: “to dounto othersas they wouldwishothersto dounto them,” they will be still, now and let their own works praise them in the gates of justice, and in the eyes of the surrounding world. Wise men ought to have understanding enough to conquer men with kindness.
“A soft answer turns away wrath” says the wise man, and it will be greatly to the credit of the to shew the love of God, by now kindly treating those who may have, in an unconscious moment, done them wrong: for truly said Jesus: pray for thine enemies. Humanity towards all. [p. [2]]