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Show MAY BE ERADICATED. 197 mined by the judgments of the class upon whom he desires to operate. He sees the prospect of failure, if he neglects to do so, and is controlled by a regard for law, which will punish him, if violated. He avoids bringing his system into collision with a stronger one, and will not defy a stronger power. But with the fanatic it is different. His reason is im paired. He sees things from a different stand- point, and fails to realize what is extravagant in his pretensions, and his ex travagancies are often the cause of his success with the weak and visionary. They see the unsoundness of his reasoning, but are captivated by his enthusiasm, and appar ent honesty of purpose. He establishes a standard of his own, and is uninfluenced by the opinions of others. A fana tic on a scientific theory may become ridiculous ; while a fanatic on religion may be dangerous as well as ridiculous. His honest convictions of duty may lead him to commit acts that are discountenanced by society, and punishable by law ; but he is governed by his ideas of accountability to a higher law. He defies punishment, believing that any he may receive will redound to his ultimate benefit. A reli gious fanatic, then, is more dangerous than an impostor, and the extent to which he is dangerous is determined by his power and influence. Brigham Young I consider a more dangerous man, if honest, than he would be if an impostor, Joseph Smith, I think it has been clearly proven, was an impostor. His success was not attributable to the plausi bility of his dogmas, so much as to his enthusiasm, and more than that, to the enthusiasm of the honest followers of a dishonest leader. United with their fanaticism was the cunning of Smith, which gave Mormonism its start ; and then following the martyrdom of their Prophet, as they re garded him, the zeal of this credulous people increased ten fold. The unfortunate murder of this Smith, has entailed Mormonism on the country to the present day. Had he lived ten years longer, in my opinion, the sect which he founded would be only a chapter in the history of the past. Brigham Young is unquestionably a far abler leader than |