| 559 feeling in the columns of papers calculated to wound the sensibilities not only of individuals, but of whole societies, pass without notice or refutation,
These remarks have been elicited from reading nearly two columns of matter published in the Saturday Courier, of Saturday, the 10th of July, in condemnation of a religious sect of people called "Mormons, or Latter Day Saints." Now, sirs, the writer wishes to be distinctly understood that he is not a Mormon, nor indeed ever will be; to the contrary, he would, if he were able, PERSUADE some of that sect, with whom he is bound by the strongest ties of consanguinuy [consanguinity], to renounce the doctrine and cleave to that of their fathers.
But let me recur to the curses and anathemas so unmercifully bestowed upon the poor unoffending Mormons, in the article referred to in the Courier.
Indeed, I find it no easy matter to express, in suitable language, my utter detestation and abhorrence of the sentiments you have advanced, believing as I do, that the doctrine you have urged upon the people to adopt towards the Mormons, of EXTERMINATION, is the most illiberal, unjust, unchristian-like in its character, and dangerous in its tendency, that ever emenated [emanated] from the American Press. You must certainly have been amply charged when you were writing the closing part of the article, charging the Mormons with murdering Martin Harris, with the same spirit which caused the enraged Jews to gnash their teeth upon the Prophet Stephen, after he had admonished them and warned them of the consequences which would result to them from the evil course they were pursuing.
I would respectfully ask you, sirs, to point me out in the Constitution of the United States, or in that of the State of Pennsylvania, a single clause that warrants any individual to judge his fellow in matters of religion, much less take the life of a fellow creature, because he may think it right for him to give an interpretation of the sacred text different from those who received their diplomas, to instruct others in the mysteries of God, at Yale, Princeton, or Carlisle, and who make religion a matter of merchandise.
Being well aware that your labors would be in vain, were you to search for authority to wage your war upon the Mormons, except you practice upon the the plan of the white savages of Missouri, in this massacre of the unoffending Mormons, "declare upon your own hook"-a plan, by-the-by, if you do not exactly recommend in your strictures, you do not certainly condemn.
The 1st Article of the Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, adopted 4th of March, 1789, declares "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridge the freedom of speech, or of the press." Now is there a feature or principle in the whole of that sacred instrument more highly prized than that which is intended to secure to us the liberty to worship the Creator according to the dictates of our own consciences? There are but few, I apprehend, to be found among us who are willing to deny this doctrine.
Again, Article 9th, Section 3d. of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the following language may be edifying to the Editors of the Courier: "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; no man can, of right, be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship; no human authority can in any case whatever control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments of mode of worship"-those are the privileges vouchsafed to the American people by the framers of their Constitution. Now a few extracts from the Saturday Courier will show how far its Editors breathe the spirit of religious liberty, and how far its Editors breathe the spirit of religious liberty, and how far the salutary provisions of the Constitution accord with their sentiments. In a kind of preface or biography of the founders of that religion the reader is prepared for the marvellous [marvelous]; not one palliating circumstance or charitable motive is ascribed to their acts. You say that , "under pretence [pretense] of raising money for building a Temple and for other purposes, gangs of itinerant vagabond (Mormons) were sent prowling over the country to beg ALMS and to STEAL, mostly under some sanctimonious pretence [pretense]-though we (the Editors of the Courier) have ourselves not the slightest doubt whatever that most if not all the ringleaders STEAL upon every occasion that offers with as much RECKLESSNESS as would any CONVICT
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