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Show Into Troubled Missouri 95 county across the Missouri River. During the next five years the Mormons tried desperately to gain a foothold in various counties to the north, only to be elbowed off their land and abused in various ways. There was scarcely a settlement where a Mormon was welcome, or a citizen who would raise his voice in their defense. How does one explain something of this kind? The Mormon residence in Illinois was not unlike that in In Quincy they were given a civil, if not a warm, welcome their arrival from inhospitable Missouri. But the welcome wore upon out in a short time and the Saints were urged to move up the river. Here with mounting opposition in proportion to the length of their stay, the tragedy of the martyrdom took place in 1844, and two years later the forced exodus to the Rocky Mountains. Missouri: Before leaving the state of Illinois, letters were sent to the governors of all the states, except Illinois and Missouri, to see if there was some place the Saints could move without coming all the 26 way west. Only one governor, Thomas S. Drew of Arkansas, bothered to answer, and his long letter indicated clearly that he felt neither his state or any of the others could offer a guarantee of better treatment than they had received in Missouri and Illinois. The letter is carefully worded and shows considerable knowledge of the problems involved. He mentioned the Biblical story of the division of Palestine by Abraham and Lot, and by analogy indicated that he felt the Mormons could get along only if they were separated geograph ically from their neighbors. To this end he suggested Oregon Territory, California, north Texas, or Nebraska. It was now quite clear - the Saints were unwelcome anywhere in the United States. No wonder loyal Mormons are at a loss when asked to explain their lack of popularity, and the downright hatred manifested to wards the Saints. The "God vs. the devil" answer is about all the answer God there is fearing - so they and virtuous course, those actuated by think. How could anyone think evil of such people as the Latter-day Saints, except, of the devil! In another chapter it has already been indicated that the people on the frontier, such as Missouri and lllinois, were less law abiding than those in more settled areas and were more ready to take the law into their own hands. Once inflamed and excited, they were not restrained and were prone to go to any length. This will explain the excesses to which the mob went in many of the clashes between the two groups. But one wonders if it is not easily |
