History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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EXPULSION FROM NAUVOO.
The arbitrary acts of the people of Illinois in forcing
the departure of the saints lays them open to the
grave charge, among others, of a desire to possess
their property for less than its value. Houses and
lots, farms and merchandise, could not be turned into
money, or even into wagons and live-stock, in a moment,
except at a ruinous sacrifice. Granted that the hierarchy
was opposed to American institutions, that the
Mormons wished to gain possession of the United
States and rule the world : no one feared the immediate
consummation of their pretentious hopes. Granted
that among them were adulterers, thieves, and murderers:
the gentiles were the stronger, and had laws
by which to punish the guilty. It was not a noble
sentiment which had actuated the people of Missouri
it was not a noble sentiment which now actuated the
people of Illinois, thus to continue their persecutions
during the preparations for departure, and drive a
whole cityful from their homes out upon the bleak
prairie in the dead of winter.
In January 1846 the council ordered that a detachment
should set forth at once, and that the remainder
of the saints should follow as soon as possible.
"Beloved brethren," said their leader, "it now
remains to be proven whether those of our family
and friends who are necessarily left behind for a
season, to obtain an outfit through the sale of property,
shall be mobbed, burned, and driven away by
force. Does any American want the honor of doing
it? or will any Americans suffer such acts to be done,
and the disgrace of them to remain on their char-
acter, under existing circumstances. If they will,
let the world know it."
The world was soon to know it. Driven almost at
the point of the sword, a large number of the saints,
soon afterward followed by the president, the twelve,
the high council, and other companies, gathered on
the eastern bank of the Mississippi early in February.
There was but little money in circulation through-
;