Lessons to be Learned from Haun's Mill on its 175th Anniversary

   While we often consider what we can learn from mass murders today, as we look to avoid them, are there not also lessons to be learned from the past? Today, Oct. 30, marks the 175th anniversary of the Haun's Mill Massacre, one of the largest mass murders of its time. On Oct. 27, 1838, Missouri Gov. Lilburn Boggs issued an extermination order, calling for LDS people to leave the state or be killed. Three days later, about 55 militants attacked an LDS settlement at Haun's Mill, killing at least 17. It is not thought that Bogg's decree incited the mobsters, as they probably had  not even had time to hear about it. But, none of the 55 attackers were prosecuted, and one wonders how they could have been, since the governor gave such an order, and they had his permission to murder. What lessons are to be learned? Too many guns? Hatred kills, not guns?
   I consider how those were different times, that a governor would even dare to issue such an order. And, it makes me wonder about all the guns that were around then, perhaps even more than we have now, per capita. Guns back then were even more a part of daily life. Did that affect their attitudes, that a governor should get away with issuing such an order, and that the attackers were not even prosecuted?
   The mobsters may have not been afraid of being prosecuted even though they were unaware of the governor's decree. I consider that back then, hatred of a minority was more acceptable. I consider that the unending call for tolerance is making a difference, and has made us a better society.
   I consider the danger of government by militia, where we suppose that since government exists only at the will of the people, the people have the right to step in as a militia and put things straight. I fear such an attitude rising today, so perhaps this is a lesson we might also learn.
   I consider how when government is not vigilant, when it does not do its duty to police the people, the people are more likely to commit such a crime.
   I consider how outlying settlements were more vulnerable then, compared to today help being but a cellphone call away.
   But, perhaps most of all, I consider on the answer I received from James R. Olson, when I posted this on my own timeline: "The same lessons we refuse to listen to throughout our sad history. First, love one another. Second recognize, and to the extend humanly possible, do away with, the concept of the 'other'. John, I am an atheist, you are not. We are different as we are the same. Your rights and privileges and mine are the same. Experience shows me that the first step to killing a human being is to dehumanize them, to paint them as different or inferior, and consequently separate from "us", or our tribe, if you will. We must make it unacceptable to paint another human being as different or inferior, or less deserving of basic human rights than others. I am no fan of having dozens of hand guns around the house loaded or not, but a gun is an inanimate object which will only cause damage in the hands of a damaged human being. All the guns in the world left to themselves are impotent, and not really my concern. That's a start, I think, what say you?"
   I especially like his thought that a gun will only cause damage in the hands of a damaged human being. He is most wise to see through to what we should learn. He is wisest of all to see that love is the solution. It was hatred in the hearts of the militia men that led them to kill the LDS settlers. They were damaged human beings. James Olson's comments got me thinking of the youth in Nevada who killed the a teacher last just better than a week ago, and of how one of his classmates said he was really a nobody among those at the school. That indicates the boy did not recieve much love. he was damaged and caused damage. The greatest lesson to be learned from Haun's Mill, and from most any mass murder, is that love makes a difference. If those militia men could somehow have been taught the principle of loving others, they would not have murdered others.
   If we, as a society, would to end mass murder, the greatest thing we could do would be to foster love, teach love, and practice love. That might sound like a trite and silly answer, but I beg to differ. Love can be taught. We can encourage each other to love everyone. And, if we did teach love more,  and practice it harder, some people would become better, and somewhere along the line, a mass murder would go uncommitted.
  No time to edit this tonight. I need to go back to bed.