ed as they are
with an affectation and imitation of Scripture phraseology--form a
vocabulary burlesquing even the Sacred Book itself, and suggesting by
their sounds the true character of the Mormon Church--a very essence of
plebeian hypocrisy.

I have used the word "fanatics," but that must be understood in a
limited sense. It can only be applied to the "geese"--the ignorant and
besotted _canaille_--which the "apostolic" emissaries have collected
from all parts of Europe, but chiefly from England, Scotland, and Wales.
The Welsh, as might be expected, furnish a large proportion of these
emigrant geese; while, strange as it may sound, there is but one Irish
goose in the whole Mormon flock! There are but few of these "birds" of
native American breed. The general intelligence, supplied by a proper
school system, prevents much proselytism in that quarter; but it does
not hinder the acute Yankee from playing the part of the fox: for in
reality this is his _role_ in the social system of Mormondom. The
President or "High Priest and Prophet" himself, the Twelves and
Seventies, the elders, deacons, and other dignitaries, are all, or
nearly all, of true Yankee growth; and to call these "fanatics" would be
a misapplication of the word. Term them conspirators, charlatans,
hypocrites, and impostors, if you will, but not fanatics. The Mormon
fox is no fanatic: he is a _professor_ in the most emphatic sense of the
word, but not a _believer_. His profession is absolute chicanery--he
has neither faith, dogma, nor doctrine.

There are writers who have defended these _forbans_ of religion; and
some who have even spoken well of their system. Captain Stansbury, the
explorer, has a good opinion of them. The captain is at best but a
superficial observer; and, unfortunately for his judgment, received most
courteous treatment at their hands. It is not human nature "to speak
ill of the bridge that has carried one over"; and Captain Stansbury has
obeyed the common impulse. In the earlier times of the Mormon Church,
there were champions of the Stansbury school to defend its members
against the charge of _polygamy_. In those days, the Saints themselves
attempted a sort of denial of it. The subject was then too rank to come
forth as a revelation. But a truth of this awkward kind could not long
remain untold; and it became necessary to mask it under the more
moderate title of a _spiritual-wifedom_. It required an acute
metaphysician t