| 152 counties began to fear that law, religion, and equal rights, in the hands of the Latter Day Saints, would feel after iniquity, or terrify their neighbors to larger acts of 'reserved rights,' and so they began to open a larger field of woe. To cut this matter short they urged the necessity, (to stop the 'effusion of blood,') to expel the church, or as they call them, the Mormons, from the United States, 'peaceably if they could, and forcibly if they must,' unless they would transport themselves by next spring. Taking into consideration the great value of life and the blessings of peace, a proposition, upon certain specified conditions was made to a committee of Quincy, and which it was supposed from the actions of conventions was accepted. But we are sorry to say that the continued depredations of the mob and the acts of a few individuals have greatly lessened the confidence of every friend of law, honor, and humanity in everything promised by the committees and conventions, though we have already made great advances towards fitting for a move next spring.
"A few troops stationed in the county have not entirely kept the mob at bay, several buildings having been burnt in the month of October.
"We shall, however, make every exertion on our part, as we have always done, to preserve the law and our engagements sacred, and leave the event with God; for he is sure.
"It may not be amiss to say that the continued abuses, persecutions, murders, and robberies practiced upon us, by a horde of land pirates with impunity in a Christian republic and land of liberty, (while the institutions of justice, have either been too weak to afford us protection or redress, or else they too have been a little remiss,) have brought us to the solemn conclusion that our exit from the United States is the only alternative by which we can enjoy our share of the elements which our heavenly Father created free for all.
"We then can shake the dust from our garments, suffering wrong rather than do wrong, leaving this nation alone in her glory, while the residue of the world points the finger of scorn, till the indignation and consumption decreed makes a full end.
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