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Show 198 HOW MORMONISM was Joseph Smith. He has proven himself a most extraor dinary man. He has overcome obstacles that would have disheartened the most sanguine. He removed his people faraway into a comparatively unknown country, and settled on a barren waste, which was transformed into the most fer tile and productive valley in the West. He shared in their toils and privations when necessary, and afterward enriched himself on their labor when opportunity offered. He has been the greatest despot in the world, and at the same time made his subjects believe him to be their greatest benefactor ! I have spoken of the honesty and infatuation of the peo ple, and the influence of their leader over them. Another cause operating to bind them together is their isolation, and the ignorance in which they are kept alike of the teachings of Christianity and civilization. Is it strange, therefore, that the Mormons have existed for so many years as they have ? The existence of the sect I think will terminate with the life of their able leader. This is the opinion of all observ ing people who have familiarized themselves with the history of the Mormons. But it is the duty of the Government, as well as the Christian Church, to relieve the country of a sect sanction ing immorality and violating law. While the military power might be used in punishing the guilty, and compel ling a greater regard for the letter of the law, it can do nothing in removing the delusions of the people ; and the introduction of punishment would be immediately followed by increased fanaticism. To eradicate the evil the influ ences of Christianity are also required. While the Govern ment needs the cooperation of the Church, the Church equally needs the support of the strong arm of the Govern ment. Let the Mormons be enlightened, their judgments convinced of their error, and then protect them in their in dividual rights, as citizens of the United States, so as to allow them to renounce their allegiance to Mormonism and live independently of a sect that has controlled their con sciences, as well as their lives, and the most favorable |