| 189 convesiences [conveniences] of life, and were beginning to reap the just reward of their industry and enterprise, a mob attempted to drive them from their homes; as peacable [peaceable] citizens, enjoying all the rights guarantied to them by a Republican Constitution, they had a right, and did call on the governor of Missouri, for protection. Did he, in obedience to the oath which he had taken to support the constitution of the State, respond to the call as a Governor should? No!-and forever will a stain rest upon the name of Lillburn W. Boggs, and the State of Missouri. Mr. Boggs told the Mormons that they must take care of themselves-in fact denying them the the protection of the Constitution under whose broad folds they had taken shelter. Thus denied the protection of the State, they prepared to defend their homes, wives and children. Did Mr. Boggs, as the controversy proceeded, remain a neutral spectator, as his first intimation had given the Mormons to understand? Oh, no!-when the mob was forced to fly for safety-like cowards as they were-then this wise and oath-bound Executive, called out the militia of the State, to aid, in expelling-or rather, to use one of the expressions of Mr. Boggs-in "exterminating" the Mormons. Which is a much as to say-if the Mormons cannot be driven from their homes, their possessions, and all else that they hold dear, peaceably-why then, kill, murder, burn, destroy, any thing, so the Mormons are "exterminated" from the State! Most just, humane, wise, and patriotic governor Boggs!
Many of them were barbarously butchered, and all shamefully unsettled and cruelly driven from their comfortable firesides at an inclement season of the year,-those who escaped secret murder, were inhumanly [inhumanely] and savagely treated, their females violated, and their property confiscated and plundered, by the barbarous vandals who were persecuting them even unto death! and to such men and to such people, would Governor Carlin deliver up two of our Mormon citizens for a sacrifice! We oppose this barter and trade in blood, upon higher grounds than the mere forms of law upon which the Argus justifies the governor. If we believed that Smith and Rigdon had been guilty of criminal acts in Missouri, and could have a fair trial for such acts, under the laws of that State, we should be among the first to advocate the surrender of those gentlemen. It is not the laws of Missouri, of which we complain, it is of the officers who are appointed to execute and carry out those laws.-Their conduct must be forever reprobated-it is a lasting disgrace to the State.
The Mormons have resided in our State since they were driven out of Missouri-behaving as good citizens. Smith and Rigdon in particular, have resided ever since within the limits of our State, undoubtedly with the full knowledge of the authorities of Missouri, but no demand is made till the citizens of Missouri, pursuing them in their new homes in this State, with the same disregard of law that marked their previous conduct, a call is made upon the governor of that State to deliver them over to our authorities to be tried for violating our laws, then the very vigilant governor of Missouri calls for the apprehension of Smith and Rigdon!
It may be that Gov. Carlin and Boggs have a private understanding-that a cartel, an exchange of prisoners, may be agreed on between them. If it is so, the governor is trifling with the lives of our citizens-with the lives of those whom he is sworn to protect. Reason, justice and humanity, cries out against the proceeding.
We repeat, that compliance on the part of Gov. Carlin, would be to deliver them not to be tried for crime, but to be punished without crime; and that under those circumstances, they had a right to claim protection as citizens of this State."
The foregoing article, from the pen of the editor of the Quincy Whig, reflects great credit on the head and heart of the writer. The sentiments it contains are liberal, noble, just-the offspring of wisdom and understanding. It completely uses up the Uncircumcised Philistines of Missouri, and places the Mormon people just where they have ever taken shelter-under the broad folds of the Constitution.-and I, therefore, commend it to the favorable consideration of all the saints of light. The grievances of this people must be
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