The Mormons: A Discourse Delivered Before the Historical Society of PennsylvaniaKane, Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper)
History
The Mormons: A Discourse Delivered Before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Kane, Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper)
Latter Day Saint churches
Hence, it happens, that in their Land of Promise, they are on the
best of terms with all the Canaanites and Hittites, and Hivites, and
Amorites, and Girgashites, and Perizzites, and Jebusites, within its
borders; while they "maintain their cherished relations of amity with
the rest of mankind," who, in their case, include a sort of latest
remnant of the primaeval primates, called the Root Diggers. The
Diggers, who in stature, strength and general personal appearance, may
be likened to a society of old negro women, are only to be dreaded for
their exceeding ugliness. The tribes that rob and murder in war, and
otherwise live more like white men, are however numerous all around
them.
Fortunately, upon their marauding expeditions, and in matters that
affect their freebooting relations generally, they all obey the great
war chief of the tribe called the Utahs, in the heart of whose proper
territory the Mormon settlements are comprehended.
If accounts are true, the Utahs are brave fellows. They differ
obviously from the deceased nations, to whose estates we have taken it
upon ourselves to administer. They ride strong, well-limbed Spanish
horses, not ponies; bear well cut rifles, not shot-guns, across their
saddle-bows, and are not without some idea of military discipline. They
carry their forays far into the Mexican States, laying the inhabitants
under contribution, and taking captive persons of condition, whom they
hold to ransom. They are, as yet at least, little given to drink; some
of them manifest considerable desire to acquire useful knowledge; and
they are attached to their own infidel notions of religion, making
long journeys to the ancient cities of the Colorado, to worship among
the ruined temples there. The Soldan of these red Paynims, too, their
great war chief, is not without his knightly graces. According to some
of the Mormons, he is the paragon of Indians. His name, translated to
diminish its excellence as an exercise in Prosody, is Walker. He is a
fine figure of a man, in the prime of life. He excels in various manly
exercises, is a crack shot, a rough rider, and a great judge of horse
flesh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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