History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

190
THE STORY OF MORMONISM.
and the fury of the citizens allayed by addresses from
Judge Phelps, Colonel Buckinaster, the governor's
aid, and others. In the afternoon the bodies of
Joseph and Hyrum arrived in wagons guarded by
three men. They were met by the city council, the
prophet's staff, the officers of the legion, and a vast
procession of citizens, crying out "amid the most
solemn lamentations and wailings that ever ascended
into the ears of the Lord of hosts to be avenged of
their enemies." Arriving at the Nauvoo House, the
assemblage, numbering ten thousand persons, was
again addressed, and " with one united voice resolved
to trust to the law for a remedy of such a high-handed
assassination, and when that failed, to call upon God
to avenge them of their wrongs. Oh! widows and
orphans! Oh Americans! weep, for the glory of freedom
has departed!"
Meanwhile the governor, fearing that the Mormons
would rise in a body to execute vengeance, issued an
address to the people of Illinois, in which he attempted
to explain his conduct, 39 and again called out the
militia. Two officers were despatched to Nauvoo,
with orders to ascertain the disposition of the citizens,
and to proceed thence to Warsaw, where were the
headquarters of the anti-Mormon militia, and forbid
violent measures in the name of the state. On arriving
at the former place they laid their instructions
before the members of the municipality. A meeting
of the council was summoned, and it was resolved that
the saints rigidly sustain the laws and the governor,
so long as they are themselves sustained in their
constitutional rights; that they discountenance vengeance
on the assassins of Joseph and Hyrum Smith;
that instead of an appeal to arms, they appeal to the
majesty of the law, and, should the law fail, they
General Deming, telling them to remain quiet, that the assassination would
be condemned by three fourths of the people of Illinois, but that they were
in danger of attack from Missouri, and 'prudence might obviate material
destruction.' Times and Seasons, v. 561.
39 Copies of it will be found in Id., v. 564-5; 3fackay's The Mormons, 178-
9; and timucker's Hist. Mor., 186-7.