Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 9/Discussion of an extract from the N. Y. Courier and Enquirer

It is said, that "knowledge is power," and from the facts which are constantly filling up the measure of our country's disgrace as well as glory, we believe the saying: And we believe that a nation is fast hastening to ruin where no preference is made to vice or virtue. The Americans have had the honor abroad of being a brave, noble people; a generous, victorious company; an industrious, intelligent community; a humane Spartan band; and a free governed Republic, but we are sorry to say that scenes have transpired, in several places, during the last two years, which, if they have not shaded the light of liberty, have greatly dimmed the rays which had begun to warm the hearts of the oppressed, in a thousand countries.

Let us hope for better things in future; let us not dishonor the fame of our departed sires, at whose high blazing flame of patriotism, our tapers have been lighted. Let us not stain the fertile soil of America with human gore to blush at our sins, after we have gone down to the grave, because a Paul escaped by faith to God, or a Rogers ascended thro' fire to heaven!

We have been led to these remarks upon reading in the New York Courier and Enquirer, some seasonable and well aimed reflections against "bigotry and fanaticism." The closing paragraph has so much truth in it, that other nations, if they read, may exclaim with us like David: They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one.

The paragraph alluded to reads:—

"When we revert to Anti-Masonry; to Mormonism; to the detestable doctrines of the Abolitionists; to the conduct of the people of Charlestown and Lowell, and to the Cayenne pepper reformers, we blush for our country.—Let us no longer indulge ourselves in anathematizing the old lady of Babylon for her persecutions; let us be silent about the Spanish Inquisition, and the Auto de Fe; let us sit with closed lips when we hear of poor John Rodgers and his ten small children; and above all, let us exhibit a little more modesty, in proclaiming, that this is the only country on earth where all mankind may worship as they please. Assumptions of superiority are somewhat offensive even when well founded, but when contradicted by facts, become utterly ridiculous and contemptible." P.