an interesting discourse upon the subject, delivered before the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He concludes this performance with
the following observations, which we believe to be altogether just.
Mr. KANE is a man of sagacity and integrity, and his opportunities for
the formation of a wise opinion upon this subject were such as very
few have possessed:

"I have gone over the work I assigned myself when I accepted
your Committee's invitation, as fully as I could do without
trespassing too largely upon your courteous patience. But I
should do wrong to conclude my lecture without declaring in
succinct and definite terms, the opinions I have formed and
entertain of the Mormon people. The libels, of which they
have been made the subject, make this a simple act of justice.
Perhaps, too, my opinion, even with those who know me as you
do, will better answer its end following after the narrative I
have given.

"I have spoken to you of a people; whose industry had made
them rich, and gathered around them all the comforts, and not
a few of the luxuries of refined life; expelled by lawless
force into the wilderness; seeking an untried home far away
from the scenes which their previous life had endeared to
them; moving onward, destitute, hunger-sickened, and sinking
with disease; bearing along with them their wives and
children, the aged, and the poor, and the decrepid; renewing
daily on their march, the offices of devotion, the ties of
family, and friendship, and charity; sharing necessities, and
braving dangers together, cheerful in the midst of want and
trial, and persevering until they triumphed. I have told, or