History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD. 191
leave the matter with God; that the council pledges
itself that no aggressions shall be made by the citizens
of Nauvoo, approves the course taken by the governor,
and will uphold him by all honorable means.
A meeting of citizens was then held in the public
square; the people were addressed, the resolutions
read, and all responded with a hearty amen.
The two officers then returned to Carthage and
reported to the governor, who was so greatly pleased
with the forbearance of the saints that he officially
declared them "human beings and citizens of the
state." He caused writs to be issued for the arrest of
three of the murderers—after they had taken refuge
in Missouri. 40 The assassins escaped punishment,
however; and now that order was restored, the chief
magistrate disbanded the militia, after what he termed
"a campaign of about thirteen days."
On the afternoon of July 1st a letter was addressed by
Richards, Taylor, and Phelps to the citizens of Nauvoo,
and a fortnight later, an epistle signed by the same
persons and also by Parley P. Pratt was despatched
to all the saints throughout the world. "Be peaceable,
quiet citizens, doing the works of righteousness;
and as soon as the twelve and other authorities can
assemble, or a majority of them, the onward course
to the great gathering of Israel, and the final consummation
of the dispensation of the fulness of times,
will be pointed out, so that the murder of Abel, the
assassination of hundreds, the righteous blood of all
the holy prophets, from Abel to Joseph, sprinkled
with the best blood of the son of God, as the crimson
sign of remission, only carries conviction to the
business and bosoms of all flesh, that the cause is just
and will continue; and blessed are they that hold out
faithful to the end, while apostates, consenting to the
shedding of innocent blood, have no forgiveness in
this world nor in the world to come . . . Let no vain
40 In Message to HI. Legis., 20, it is stated that some of the murderers after-
ward surrendered on the understanding that they should be admitted to bail.
There was not sufficient proof to convict them.