Mormon Prophet." And the reply, absurd as it doubtless
seems to most men now living, may be an obvious
commonplace to their descendants. History deals in
surprises and paradoxes quite as startling as this. A
man who established a religion in this age of free
debate, who was and is today accepted by hundreds of
thousands as a direct emissary from the Most High--such
a rare human being is not to be disposed of by pelting
his memory with unsavory epithets. * * * The most
vital questions Americans are asking each other today,
have to deal with this man and what he has left us.
* * * Joseph Smith, claiming to be an inspired teacher,
faced adversity such as few men have been called to
meet, enjoyed a brief season of prosperity such as few
men have ever attained, and finally * * * went
cheerfully to a martyr's death. When he surrendered
his person to Governor Ford, in order to prevent the
shedding of blood, the Prophet had a presentiment of
what was before him. "I am going like a lamb to the
slaughter," he is reported to have said, "but I am as
calm as a summer's morning. I have a conscience void of
offense, and shall die innocent."

The "Mormon" people regarded it as a duty to make every proper
effort to bring the perpetrators of the foul assassination of
their leaders to justice; sixty names were presented to the local
grand jury, and of the persons so designated, nine were indicted.
After a farcical semblance of a trial, these were acquitted, and
thus was notice, sanctioned by the constituted authority of the
law, served upon all anti-"Mormons" of Illinois, that they were