| 562 we append the following paragraph from a letter to the Boston Traveler"
"Cruel Murder.-Martin Harris, one of the earliest supporters of the Mormons, and the only wealthy man among them in their origin, has been murdered. He spent all he was worth in supporting the delusion under which he labored, furnishing all the funds for the publication of the Mormon Bible.
"He abandoned the Mormons not long since, and delivered some lectures in opposition to their doctrines, and two or three weeks ago was found dead, having been shot through the head with a pistol."
Now what an unlucky circumstance it was that Martin Harris would not stay murdered! The cup containing the very quintessence of all that is lovely is placed to the lips of the Boston Traveller [Traveler], the Saturday Courier and Spirit of the Times, and snatched away again ere they have drank half of its contents. The murder of Martin Harris!-Why nothing could have happened so opportunely, and a standing article that was to overthrow Mormonism, is knocked into pi by the stubbornness of that bad man.
The Courier, in which this letter from the Boston Traveller [Traveler] is published, was issued from the press on the 10th day of July, and the reported murder of Martin Harris was officially contradicted by numerous persons who had seen and conversed with that gentleman two weeks, at least, before the 10th of July, and no person in the country was better informed of the fact of the existence in the flesh of Martin Harris, than the editors of the Courier at the very time they published the account of his murder without comment.
Alas! to what base uses are the faculties which God hath given to man sometimes employed!
Were the people to examine for themselves the writings of the enemies of Mormonism with that care and circumspection that other subjects receive, (some, too, of far less importance) they would soon discover who it is that mocks them and practises [practices] gross and wicked impositions.
The persecution of the people, called "Mormons," commenced by the mob in Missouri. Their remote habitations were sacked and burned, and the inhabitants were either butchered or taken captive and confined in dungeons-their property was confiscated to the cupidity of lawless ruffians, and, what was most remarkable, the press throughout the country commended the act, and legislators and grave senators in Congress echoed the war cry of extermination: it appeared that Mercy had left her seat and fled to brutish breasts, and men had lost their reason.
The same spirit of persecution has been fanned and kept alive by hired priests of certain sects, and supported and encouraged by a portion of the public press professing a religion in unison with the clergy. These facts should operate as a warning to other religious denominations, camparatively [comparatively] few in numbers, to look well to the rights bequeathed to them by the framers of the constitution.
To a portion of our brethren, even now, the sacred rights guaranteed to every American citizen have become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. J. L.
FALSEHOODS REFUTED.
For the Times & Seasons.
E. Robinson, Esq.:-
The following article from the pen of the sapient Editor of the Warsaw Signal is worthy of preservation for the number of palpable falsehoods it contains-
"Difficulty at Montrose.
We understand that on Monday last at Montrose, there was a military training at which the Mormons and citizens united indiscriminately. After the troops were paraded Joe Smith and Gen. Bennett came over from Nauvoo and attempted to inspect them. Upon this Mr. Kilbourn invited the citizens to withdraw from the ranks-which was accordingly done. The Mormons then insulted them, causing much excitement, and at the time our informant left a row was anticipated.
Now what right, we ask, has Joe Smith to go into Iowa Territory, and attempt to order the citizens of that territory as a military officer? Is this not proof positive that he wished to organize a military church? Else why should he take so much interest in the military improvement of his followers who live out of this State? We see in this thing the essential spirit of Mormonism, which is-treason to the Government. Joe Smith, in the government of his followers wishes to
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