VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD. 191
leave the matter with God; that the council pledges itself that no aggressions shall be made by the citizens of_ Nauvoo, approves the course taken by the gov- ernor, and will uphold him by all honorable means. A meeting of citizens was then held in the public square; the people were addressed, the resolutions read, and all responded with a hearty amen.
The two officers then returned to Carthage and reported to the governor, who was so greatly pleased with the forbearance of the saints that he officially declared them "human beings and citizens of the state." He caused writs to be issued for the arrest of three of the murderers — after they had taken refuge in Missouri.'^ The assassins escaped punishment, however; and now that order was restored, the chief magistrate disbanded the militia, after what he termed "a campaign of about thirteen days."
On the afternoon of July 1st a letter was addressed by Kichards, Taylor, and Phelps to the citizens of Nau- voo, and a fortnight later, an epistle signed by the same persons and also by Parley P. Pratt was despatched to all the saints throughout the world. Be peace- able, quiet citizens, doing the works of righteousness; and as soon as the twelve and other authorities can assemble, or a majority of them, the onward course to the great gathering of Israel, and the final con- summation of the dispensation of the fulness of times, will be pointed out, so that the murder of Abel, the assassination of hundreds, the righteous blood of all the holy prophets, from Abel to Joseph, sprinkled with the best blood of the son of God, as the crim- son sign of remission, only carries conviction to the business and bosoms of all flesh, that the cause is just and will continue; and blessed are they that hold out faithful to the end, while apostates, consenting to the shedding of innocent blood, have no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come . . . Let no vain
<° In Message to III. Legis., 20, it is stated that some of the murderers after- ward surrendered on the understanding that they should be admitted to bail. There was not sufficient proof to convict them.
