Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1849-12-04
The State Of Desert.

The progress of the Morlpon sec' III
this country, when duly considered must
be regarded as an extraordinary phenome-
non of the times. From small beginnings
they have gone on increasing steadily, III
spite of prosecutions and hardshlps. MAJ
circumstance, however, is not remarKaDie'
since prosecutions generally have the enec'
of strengthening cause and its adherenis'
But the strangeness of the thing consists
in the wonderful and rapid extension OF a
faith of which so little IS known, anu
which had its origin in stories and devices
apparently the most absurd that ever maze
mockery of human credulity.
The converts to this faith, moreover, 10
not appear to belong to that class OF entn''-
siasts that give way to hallucinations. Inc
Mormons are practical peopl mey arc
industrious, temperate, orderly. Wher-
ever they plant themselves in the wilder
ness the aspect of a cultivated region Is
soon visible. They recognize commu-
nifty principle TO some extent, but win
what notifications we know not. lhey
seem, however, to derive from it the ben
efts of concentrated labor, and to flourish
under it.
These people, having been driven from
Illinois few years ago, abandoned their
city of Nauvoo suddenly, deserving their
abodes, and leaving unfinished magnlil-
cent temple, which, from its gigantic pro"
portions and strange style of architecture
stands as remarkable characteristic OF the
place and people. For while the Nor
mons lowered on the frontier, epcamPed
here and there, and moving about IN wagg-
ons, carrying their women and children
and household goods. They were waiting
for the gathering together of their dispersed
brethren. Soon the wanderers disappear
ed, and were lost in the bosom of the great
Prairie. We had news Of them from time
to time. They would encamp now and
then upon a fertile, well-watered and we'll
wooded spot, and remain whole season
to raise grain enough to last them on their
march further West. When Gen. Kear-
ney moved upon Santa Fe, he encountered
the Mormens on his route, and five hum
dred of them, formed into battalion, en-
tered into the service of the United States
for a specified period, and accomplished
their Western pilgrimage in that way.
Recently we hear again from the Nor
mons, and strange tidings are told US
They have taken possession Of the Great
Basin, in the region Of the Salt and Utah
Lakes, spacious area five hundred miles
in diameter, four or five thousand feet
above the level of the sea, shut in by noun
tains on eveey side, and having its own
system of lakes and rivers without any
communication with the ocean. Portions
of the Great Basin are desert and unlnhab-
liable. The fertile portion. however, is
very productive and this fine valley,
! a!annt tbre-lAandred miles in extent, be-
tween the Great Salt and Utah Lakes, IS
occupied by the Mormons.
They have organized Territorial Gov
eminent, elected officers, established exec:
utive, judicial, and Legislative functions,
and chosen their Delegate to Congress.
1t is further designed to form a State Con-
stitution shortly, and to present the new
Commonwealth Of Descrct as an applicant
for admission into our family of States.
The amount of population in the territory
isno given in any statementwe have seen.
The chief city covers a large space. 1t is
situated at the base of the mountains, says
the account of a traveller, in the entrance
to their rich and fertile valley. The city
is large, covering two or three miles
square, though of course not closely built,
being divided into three acre lots. The
whole valley slopes gradually to the lake,
and the soil is consequently irrigated with
out difficulty. Their crops, adds the trav-
eller, look well, and everything appeared
to be in hourishing condition. The So
cial and political character of this commu-
nitv is indeed, as we remarked in the be-
ginning, one of the most extraordinary
phenomena of the tires.-BaH. timer.