1839-09-11-New-York American-The Mormon Extermination

The Mormon Extermination

The New-York American, 11 September 1839

THE MORMON EXTERMINATION. -- Some months ago we copied from a Cincinnati paper a notice of the proceedings of a public meeting in that city, convened to listen to the recital, by one of their own number, of the wrongs inflicted upon the Mormons, and to aid in relieving the sufferings of those who, in defiance alike of law and humanity, had been expelled from their homes and property in the State of Missouri. The same individual, Mr. J. P. Greene, who told the story of these wrongs to the people of Ohio, is now in this city, and he proposes, at a public meeting to be held on Monday evening next, at the National Hall in Canal street, to lay before the citizens of New York a plain recital of the grievious oppresions and persecutions which his people have endured, and to ask their contributions to the relief of the women and children, who, without fault or crime, have been turned houseless and homeless upon the world.

Mr. Greene is deputed by his Society, and his personal respectability is vouched for by such men as the Governor of Illinois, Mr. Young, one of the United States' Senators from the same State, and other marked individuals of the neighborhood, (Quincy, Illinois,) where the Mormons have found a place of refuge. He, moreover, brings private letters, which fully entitle him to all confidence.

We have called this persecution, "the Mormon extermination" -- for such, in fact, is its character. Gov. Boggs, in his order to the commanding officer of the Militia, by whom these people were expelled, using this language: "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated, or driven from the State, if necessary, for the public good." ...