New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-21
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Tho M0rmOns.

W OuNNisoS. limo PIP loo' Lppnco't oramoo
The author Of this volume, who was a
member of the Exploring Expedition to the Great
Salt Lake, under the command Of Capt STAINS
bury, had ample opportunities for personal OBJ
seryation Of the singular manners and customs OF
the Mormons, and has recorded the results of his
experience in a remarkably intelligent and candid
narrative. We can freely recommend his work
as containing the most satisfactory account that
we have seen of the history and character Of the
peculiar people among whom he resided for over
twelvemonth in his official capacity.
The valley Of the Great Salt Lake is situated
midway between the States on the western bank
of the Mississippi and the Gold Regions of Cali
forns. With nhospitable tracts Of land on the
North and South, the slope of the Rocky Noun
tains on the East and immense salt deserts on the
West, it is isolated from the usual abodes of civil
lied man, and presents locality with rare natu-
raj advantages for great social experiment. The
name of Deseret which has been applied to this
territory by the Mormons is a mystic word taken
from the Book of Mormon signifyng the Land OF
the Honey Bee. In this sequestered and roman
tic valley, colony of 1000 persons was estab-
lished in lS47, under the conduct of Brigham
Young who claimed to be the Lords Prophet and
Seer to the Latter Day Saints.
The land was consecrated by solemn ceremo-
MES to the service Of the Church, and perma-
nent location made on territory, to which none Of
the wandering tribes Of Indians could show ttle
In FIVE days large tract was plowed, planted
with potatoes and the site Of a city laid out.
During the following year, every month was
so mild, that the settlers plowed and sowed in
each, but their provisions were reduced to such
a degree, that they were compelled to eat the
hides of the slaughtered animals, which they col
lected out of the dtches tore from the roofs of
houses. Their miserable meal was eked out by
the wild roots which they dug side by side with
the savage Utahs The famine was aggravated
by an army of locusts which descending from the
noun tain sides destroyed every green thing, cut
ting off the tender wheat stalk, while the grain
was IN the milk and eludDg every attempt to
avert their fatal progress. At last, welcome
aid appeared from an unexpected quarter. Fiocks
Of glossy white gulls, with bright red beaks and
feet, dovelike in form and motion, with plumage
Of downy sohness, filled the air with their grace
full careerngs, and alghting on the smooth and
gentle slopes at the base of the mountains, feast
ed on the insect banquet, which was profusely
spread for their entertainment. Since that sea
son. the crops Of the Mormons have more than
supplied their wants the fields are in a better
state of civilizations the assiduous gulls continue
their annual visit, which at first was supposed
miraculous and the colonists have been able to
furnish food to the California emigrants at less
price than at Fort Laramie, four hundred miles
nearer the States.
From the original colony on the Salt Lake, four
other colonies have branched of. Cities, with
populous and rapidly growing suburbs, extend on
a line of nearly two hundred miles and d chain of
posts will soon be established for the convenience
of emgrants by the seaports of the Pacific. The
number Of inhabitants in the mountains has been
varousy estimated but there are probably now
in Utah not less than 30 600, and the number is
rapidly increasing by the influx from England,
Wales, and the Continent of Europe.
The Mormons prof, SIS a complete separation of
Church and State, but their political character and
administration are made subservient to the theo-
cratcal or religious element They call their sys-
TEN of Government Tneo. Democracy" pro-
Tossing to stand, in civil capacity, like the an.
Gent lsraetes under Moses. For the rule Of
those not fully imbued with the spirit of obedi-
dience, well for things purely temporal tri-
bupas Of Justice at present necessaryi but the
laws of Heaven are the ultimate authority, aud
those holding the revelation of the Divine Will
are the legitimate Governors. The President OF
the Church is the temporal civil Governor, BY viz
tue OF his office as Seer OF the Lord. Should one
be assigned 70 them not of their creed, or other
than their Chief, he would find himself without oc-
cupation. Wills received with the courtesy due
to a distinguished parsonage in his official capa-
city, to use the phrase of the people, he would |
be let severely alone" The form Of Courts might
be established to which Gentle sojourners or emf |
grants could have recourse but the members OF |
the latser-Dsy Church would completely ignore /
them: their causes must DC settled by the Church,
which is the Court for doctrinal error; other Of
lenses are treated according 10 tie statutes
Deseret, and the Common Law Of the Noun
tain" Among themselves, all disputes are TO be
settled by Church organization, which includes
the civil officers from the interior Justice Of the
Peace up TO the Governor. Tle Justice is
Bishop OF ward in the city, or precinct Of the
town or county; the Judges Of the Superior
Courts are taken from the High Priests from the
quorums Of seventies, or from the College of the
Apostles: while the Seer is the highest ruler and
consulting Judge. A double name is therefore re-
CURED by which the same persons execute the
functions in their different OH I capacities, ac
cordng as things relate to civil or spiritual mat
tiers. The entire managem' ut is under the Presi.
ency, " hich consists OF three persons, the Seer
snd tN o Councillors.
As respects their religious position, tie Nor
mons claim to be the Only True Church OF God and
his Son. believing that, under the guidance Of the
Spirit, they viii gather to themselves all who are
destined to listen to the voice Of Truth, when they
will ahsorh Ill IL. 1919 af f,hrrafsndon Tan L