clay county sorrowfully bids the saints to migrate into the wilderness—joseph sends a dignified letter to the citizens— continuance of mob autocracy in jackson—dunklin's helplessness—the saints form the new county of caldwell and lay out far west.
they were eastern men, whose manners, habits, customs, and even dialect, are essentially different from our own. they are non-slaveholders, and opposed to slavery, which in this peculiar period, when abolitionism has reared its deformed and haggard visage in our land, is well calculated to excite deep and abiding prejudices in any community where slavery is tolerated and protected.
this was the complaint raised against the saints in clay county on the 29th day of june, 1836, by a mass meeting of leading citizens who assembled at liberty.
it will be remembered that when the mob had accomplished its awful work in jackson county, the persecuted saints had sought and found a temporary refuge in clay. during all the intervening time of nearly three years, constant efforts had been made to secure a restoration of the saints to their lawful possessions at independence and vicinity; but all in vain, for the mob power triumphed over law, and murderous rapine still trampled upon law and justice.
clay county had been the only one to show any available hospitality toward the plundered ones. but now the time had come when a feeling of self-preservation, as they called it, prompted the citizens of even this charitable region to send the saints forth to renewed wandering.
the measures adopted were not intentionally cruel; it is pitiable even at this hour to read the resolutions of the mass meeting which decreed this exile; they show that the men who forced them were sinning against their own sense of justice, but for the sake of their own families and property.
at the meeting at liberty, john bird was chosen chairman, and john f. doherty secretary. the recorded minutes of that assemblage state that the reasons given in the opening of this chapter, with other similar causes, "have raised a feeling of hostility" against the saints "that the first spark might ignite into all the horrors and desolations of a civil war, the worst evil that could befall any country."
continuing, the document says:
we therefore feel it our duty to come forward, as mediators, and use every means in our power to prevent the occurrence of so great an evil. as the most efficacious means to arrest the evil, we urge on the mormons to use every means to put an immediate stop to the emigration of their people to this country. we earnestly urge them to seek some other abiding place, where the manners, the habits and customs of the people will be more consonant with their own.
for this purpose we would advise them to explore the territory of wisconsin. this country is peculiarly suited to their condition and to their wants. it is almost entirely unsettled; they can procure large bodies of land together, where there are no settlements, and none to interfere with them. it is a territory in which slavery is prohibited, and it is settled entirely with emigrants from the north and east.
the religious tenets of this people are so different from the present churches of the age, that they always have, and always will excite deep prejudices against them in any populous country where they may locate. we, therefore, in a spirit of frank and friendly kindness, do advise them to seek a home where they may obtain large and separate bodies of land, and have a community of their own. we further say to them, if they regard their own safety and welfare, if they regard the welfare of their families, their wives and children, they will ponder with deep and solemn reflection on this friendly admonition.
if they have one spark of gratitude, they will not willingly plunge a people into civil war, who held out to them the friendly hand of assistance in that hour of dark distress, when there were few to say, god save them. we can only say to them, if they still persist in the blind course they have heretofore followed in flooding the country with their people, that we fear and firmly believe that an immediate civil war is the inevitable consequence. we know that there is not one among us who thirsts for the blood of that people.
we do not contend that we have the least right, under the constitution and laws of the country, to expel them by force. but we would indeed be blind, if we did not foresee that the first blow that is struck, at this moment of deep excitement, must and will speedily involve every individual in a war, bearing ruin, woe and desolation in its course. it matters but little how, where, or by whom, the war may begin, when the work of destruction commences, we must all be borne onward by the storm, or crushed beneath its fury. in a civil war, when our home is the theatre on which it is fought, there can be no neutrals; let our opinions be what they may, we must fight in self-defense.
we want nothing, we ask nothing, we would have nothing from this people, we only ask them, for their own safety, and for ours, to take the least of two evils. most of them are destitute of land, have but little property, are late emigrants to this country, without relations, friends, or endearing ties, to bind them to this land. at the risk of such imminent peril to them and to us, we request them to leave us, when their crops are gathered, their business settled, and they have made every suitable preparation to remove. those who have forty acres of land, we are willing should remain until they can dispose of it without loss, if it should require years. but we urge, most strongly urge, that emigration cease, and cease immediately, as nothing else can or will allay for a moment, the deep excitement that is now unhappily agitating this community.
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that if the mormons agree to these propositions, we will use every means in our power to allay the excitement among our own citizens, and to get them to await the result of these things.
that it is the opinion of this meeting that the recent emigration among the mormons should take measures to leave this county immediately, as they have no crops on hand, and nothing to lose by continuing their journey to some more friendly land.
this paper had the unanimous support of the meeting, and when this decree, mingling the sorrow of humane men with the cruel necessity of what seemed self-preservation, was entered, the meeting adjourned for three days. in the meantime a committee named in the resolution was to confer with the leaders of the saints and obtain their reply.
when the prophet heard of this new mandate of banishment he was on the eve of starting from kirtland upon his journey to the east; but before going he forwarded a letter signed by himself, his counselors, his brother hyrum, and oliver cowdery, to the committee of citizens at liberty entrusted with the promulgation of the order of exile, in which letter the following passages occur:
under existing circumstances, while rumor is afloat with her accustomed cunning, and while public opinion is fast setting, like a flood-tide against the members of said church, we cannot but admire the candor with which your preamble and resolutions were clothed, as presented to the meeting of the citizens of clay county, on the 29th of june last. though, as you expressed in your report to said meeting—"we do not contend that we have the least right, under the constitution and laws of the country, to expel them by force,"—yet communities may be, at times, unexpectedly thrown into a situation, when wisdom, prudence, and that first item in nature's law, self-defense, would dictate that the responsible and influential part should step forward and guide the public mind in a course to save difficulty, preserve rights, and spare the innocent blood from staining that soil so dearly purchased with the fortunes and lives of our fathers. and as you have come forward as "mediators," to prevent the effusion of blood, and save disasters consequent upon civil war, we take this opportunity to present to you, though strangers, and through you, if you wish, to the people of clay county, our heartfelt gratitude for every kindness rendered our friends in affliction, when driven from their peaceful homes, and to yourselves, also, for the prudent course in the present excited state of your community. but, in doing this, justice to ourselves, as communicants of that church to which our friends belong, and duty towards them as acquaintances and former fellow citizens, require us to say something to exonerate them from the foul charges brought against them, to deprive them of their constitutional privileges, and drive them from the face of society:
they have been charged in consequence of the whims and vain notions of some few uninformed, with claiming that upper country, and that ere long they were to possess it, at all hazards, and in defiance of all consequences. this is unjust and far from a foundation in truth. a thing not expected, not looked for, not desired by this society, as a people, and where the idea could have originated is unknown to us. we do not, neither did we ever insinuate a thing of this kind, or hear it from the leading men of the society, now in your country. there is nothing in our religious faith to warrant it, but on the contrary, the most strict injunctions to live in obedience to the laws, and follow peace with all men. and we doubt not, but a recurrence to the jackson county difficulties, with our friends, will fully satisfy you, that at least, heretofore, such has been the course followed by them. that instead of fighting for their own rights, they have sacrificed them for a season, to wait the redress guaranteed in the law, and so anxiously looked for at a time distant from this. we have been, and are still, clearly under the conviction, that had our friends been disposed, they might have maintained their possessions in jackson county. they might have resorted to the same barbarous means with their neighbors, throwing down dwellings, threatening lives, driving innocent women and children from their homes, and thereby have annoyed their enemies equally, at least—but this to their credit, and which must ever remain upon the pages of time, to their honor—they did not. they had possessions, they had homes, they had sacred rights, and more still, they had helpless, harmless innocence, with an approving conscience that they had violated no law of their country or their god, to urge them forward—but, to show to all that they were willing to forego these for the peace of their country, they tamely submitted, and have since been wanderers among strangers (though hospitable) without homes. we think these sufficient reasons to show to your patriotic minds, that our friends, instead of having a wish to expel a community by force of arms, would suffer their rights to be taken from them before shedding blood.
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another charge of great magnitude is brought against our friends in the west—of "keeping up a constant communication with the indian tribes on our frontier, with declaring, even from the pulpit, that the indians are a part of god's chosen people, and are destined, by heaven, to inherit this land, in common with themselves." we know of nothing, under the present aspect of our indian relations, calculated to rouse the fears of the people of the upper missouri, more than a combination or influence of this nature; and we cannot look upon it other than one of the most subtle purposes of those whose feelings are embittered against our friends, to turn the eye of suspicion upon them from every man who is acquainted with the barbarous cruelty of rude savages. since a rumor was afloat that the western indians were showing signs of war, we have received frequent private letters from our friends, who have not only expressed fears for their own safety, in case the indians should break out, but a decided determination to be among the first to repel any invasion, and defend the frontier from all hostilities. we mention the last fact, because it was wholly uncalled for on our part, and came previous to any excitement on the part of the people of clay county, against our friends, and must definitely show, that this charge is also untrue.
another charge against our friends, and one that is urged as a reason why they must immediately leave the county of clay, is, that they are making or are likely to make, the same "their permanent home, the center and general rendezvous of their people." we have never understood such to be the purpose, wish or design of this society; but on the contrary, have ever supposed, that those who ever resided in clay county, only designed it as a temporary residence, until the law and authority of our country should put them in the quiet possession of their homes in jackson county; and such as had not possessions there, could purchase to the entire satisfaction and interest of the people of jackson county.
having partially mentioned the leading objections urged against our friends, we would here add, that it has not been done with a view on our part, to dissuade you from acting in strict conformity with your preamble and resolutions, offered to the people of clay county, on the 29th ult., but from a sense of duty to a people embarrassed, persecuted and afflicted. for you are aware, gentlemen, that in times of excitement, virtues are transformed into vices, acts, which in other cases and under other circumstances, would be considered upright and honorable, interpreted contrary from their real intent, are made objectionable and criminal; and from whom could we look for forbearance and compassion with confidence and assurance, more than from those whose bosoms are warmed with those pure principles of patriotism with which you have been guided in the present instance, to secure the peace of your county, and save a persecuted people from further violence and destruction?
it is said that our friends are poor; that they have but little or nothing to bind their feelings or wishes to clay county, and that in consequence, have a less claim upon that county. we do not deny the fact, that our friends are poor; but their persecutions have helped to render them so. while other men were peacefully following their avocations, and extending their interest, they have been deprived of the right of citizenship, prevented from enjoying their own, charged with violating the sacred principles of our constitution and laws; made to feel the keenest aspersions of the tongue of slander, waded through all but death, and are now suffering under calumnies calculated to excite the indignation and hatred of every people among whom they may dwell, thereby exposing them to destruction and inevitable ruin!
if a people, a community, or a society can accumulate wealth, increase in worldly fortune, improve in science and arts, rise to eminence in the eyes of the public, surmount these difficulties, so much as to bid defiance to poverty and wretchedness, it must be a new creation, a race of beings superhuman. but in all their poverty and want, we have yet to learn, for the first time, that our friends are not industrious and temperate, and wherein they have not always been the last to retaliate or resent an injury, and the first to overlook and forgive. we do not urge that there are not exceptions to be found: all communities, all societies and associations, are cumbered with disorderly and less virtuous members—members who violate in a greater or less degree the principles of the same. but this can be no just criterion by which to judge a whole society. and further still, where a people are laboring under constant fear of being dispossessed very little inducement is held out to excite them to be industrious.
we think, gentlemen, that we have pursued this subject far enough, and we here express to you, as we have in a letter accompanying this, to our friends, our decided disapprobation to the idea of shedding blood, if any other course can be followed to avoid it; in which case, and which alone, we have urged upon our friends to resist only in extreme cases of self-defense; and in this case not to give the offense or provoke their fellow-men to acts of violence,—which we have no doubt they will observe, as they ever have. for you may rest assured, gentlemen, that we would be the last to advise our friends to shed the blood of men, or commit one act to endanger the public peace.
we have no doubt but our friends will leave your county, sooner or later,—they have not only signified the same to us, but we have advised them so to do, as fast as they can without incurring too much loss. it may be said that they have but little to lose if they lose the whole. but if they have but little, that little is their all, and the imperious demands of the helpless, urge them to make a prudent disposal of the same. and we are highly pleased with a proposition in your preamble, suffering them to remain peaceably till a disposition can be made of their land, etc., which if suffered, our fears are at once hushed, and we have every reason to believe, that during the remaining part of the residence of our friends in your county, the same feelings of friendship and kindness will continue to exist, that have heretofore, and that when they leave you, you will have no reflection of sorrow to cast, that they have been sojourners among you.
to what distance or place they will remove, we are unable to say: in this they must be dictated with judgment and prudence. they may explore the territory of wisconsin—they may remove there, or they may stop on the other side—of this we are unable to say; but be they where they will, we have this gratifying reflection, that they have never been the first, in an unjust manner, to violate the laws, injure their fellow-men, or disturb the tranquility and peace under which any part of our country has heretofore reposed. and we cannot but believe, that ere long the public mind must undergo a change, when it will appear to the satisfaction of all that this people have been illy treated and abused without cause, and when, as justice would demand, those who have been the instigators of their sufferings will be regarded as their true characters demand.
though our religious principles are before the world, ready for the investigation of all men, yet we are aware that the sole foundation of all the persecution against our friends, has arisen in consequence of the calumnies and misconstructions, without foundation in truth, or righteousness, in common with all other religious societies, at their first commencement; and should providence order that we rise not as others before us, to respectability and esteem, but be trodden down by the ruthless hand of extermination, posterity will do us the justice, when our persecutors are equally low in the dust, with ourselves, to hand down to succeeding generations, the virtuous acts and forbearance of a people, who sacrificed their reputation for their religion, and their earthly fortunes and happiness to preserve peace, and save this land from being further drenched in blood.
we have no doubt but your very seasonable mediation, in the time of so great an excitement, will accomplish your most sanguine desire, in preventing further disorder; and we hope, gentlemen, that while you reflect upon the fact, that the citizens of clay county are urgent for our friends to leave you, that you will also bear in mind, that by their complying with your request to leave, they surrender some of their dearest rights and among the first of those inherent principles guaranteed in the constitution of our country; and that human nature can be driven to a certain extent, when it will yield no farther. therefore while our friends suffer so much, and forego so many sacred rights, we sincerely hope, and we have every reason to expect, that a suitable forbearance may be shown by the people of clay, which if done, the cloud that has been obscuring your horizon, will disperse, and you will be left to enjoy peace, harmony and prosperity.
nothing could be more admirable than the candor and gentleness of this letter. while joseph's heart was bleeding for his injured brethren in the west, his sense of justice was so exalted that he could recognize every honest purpose among the men who felt forced to make the edict of expatriation. the prophet also sent a letter of comfort to the elders in clay, counseling peace and yet advising the protection at any cost of wives and little children.
no delay had been granted in which to receive such communication from kirtland, and the leading brethren in clay assembled on july 1, 1835, the second day following the mass meeting, and considered the proposition. william w. phelps was chairman, and john corrill was secretary. a committee consisting of twelve—e. partridge, i. morley, l. wight, t. b. marsh, e. higbee, c. beebee, i. hitchcock, i. higbee, s. bent, t. billings, j. emmett and r. evans—was appointed to report a preamble with resolutions. these were presented and unanimously adopted as follows:
that we (the "mormons" so called) are grateful for the kindness which has been shown to us by the citizens of clay, since we have resided with them, and being desirous for peace and wishing the good rather than the ill will of mankind, will use all honorable means to allay the excitement, and, so far as we can, remove any foundations for jealousies against us as a people. we are aware that many rumors prejudicial to us as a society are afloat, and time only can prove their falsity to the world at large. we deny having claim to this or any other county or country further than we purchase with money, or more than the constitution and laws allow us as free american citizens. we have taken no part for or against slavery, but are opposed to the abolitionists, and consider that men have a right to hold slaves or not according to law. we believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruptions of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with bondservants, nor preach the gospel to, nor meddle with, or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situation in life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men. such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude. we deny holding any communications with the indians, and mean to hold ourselves as ready to defend our country against their barbarous ravages as any other people. we believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly. it is needless to enter into a further detail of our faith or mention our sufferings:—
therefore resolved, for the sake of friendship, and to be in a covenant of peace with the citizens of clay county, and the citizens of clay county to be in a covenant of peace with us, notwithstanding the necessary loss of property and expense we incur in moving, we comply with the requisitions of their resolutions in leaving the county of clay, as explained by the preamble accompanying the same; and that we will use our exertions to have the church do the same; and that we will also exert ourselves to stop the tide of emigration of our people to this county.
resolved, that we accept of the friendly offer verbally tendered to us by the committee yesterday, to assist us in selecting a location and removing to it.
the dread decree was met and accepted. the saints were fully alive to the kindness of the people of clay and were willing to sacrifice what little comforts they had been able to accumulate since their banishment from jackson and to take up their sick and their helpless ones and journey—but whither? nobly did they repay the charity which had been extended to them. if their presence was a menace to the well-being of men who had in the hour of affliction offered the hand of help, they would brave death in the wilderness rather than have it so any longer. it was an awful hour, but the alternative was exile or dishonor to their pledge. let their choice speak for them throughout all the ages.
a home in civilization was denied to these afflicted saints. the old mob organization in jackson was still maintained. only a few weeks previous to this time a committee of officials in jackson had formulated recommendations to their fellow-ruffians in case the saints should attempt to come back to form a new settlement or to repossess their own property. the chief executive of the state, daniel dunklin, under date of july 18th, made a miserable confession of his utter inability to help or protect them. and the settled counties adjoining clay had already refused to permit them to live and labor within their borders.
but when the citizens of clay witnessed the nobility of the long-suffering saints, they adopted a resolution urging the keeping of "the peace towards the mormons as good faith, justice, morality and religion require." committees were appointed by these citizens to aid the people in their removal. and before adjourning, the meeting adopted the following resolution:
that this meeting recommend the mormons to the good treatment of the citizens of the adjoining counties. we also recommend the inhabitants of the neighboring counties to assist the mormons in selecting some abiding place for their people, where they will be in a measure the only occupants and where none will be anxious to molest them.
in less than three months the saints began their work of removal from clay county into the wilderness. they had few of the facilities for extensive travel or for the establishment of comfortable settlements. to the north and east of clay was ray county, the upper part of which was almost entirely unoccupied. but seven men lived there, and these were bee-hunters who, having exhausted the honey of that region, were about to desert the place. the timber was poor and the land unattractive to ordinary settlers. into this place, known as the shoal creek region, the saints journeyed. they bought out the few possessions of the bee-hunters and began to make homes. the natural poverty of the county rendered it for a time a place of safe refuge. but it was then, as it has been since, the case, that the latter-day saints are left in undisputed possession of a desert or a wilderness, until they have redeemed it from physical chaos and made it a delightful habitation for man—then their expulsion or oppression begins. their industry and thrift are a temptation to the idle and dissolute.
with the simple hope of enjoying the life, liberty, and religious freedom guaranteed by the constitution, the saints immigrated into northern ray in considerable numbers. in december, 1836, they petitioned the legislature of the state of missouri to incorporate the shoal creek region and surrounding lands, which were almost entirely unoccupied except by them, as a new county. the prayer was granted in that month, and the county was organized under the name of caldwell. the city of far west was laid out during the winter, and in the spring of 1837 preparations were made for the erection of a house of the lord in that place.
