Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-14
THE MoRMoNs.

THE MORMONs.
The newspapers are beginning to be troubled
as to the disposition to be made Of the singular
society which inhabits the valley of the Salt
Lake, and which is making such rapid strides
in material development. Whatever may be
said of the morality of the people Of Utah, no
one can deny that they possess extraordinary
energy, or that they have converted wilder
ness into fruitful fields with degree of rapid
ty which excites surprise even amongst the
most enterprising communities of the enter
prising West.
1t cannot be denied that the Mormon organ
ization has, thus far, proved itself to be one Of
the most effective, for worldly purposes, which
has yet been devised That organization seems
to have carried the power Of association, to the
highest point of efficiency, which it has ever yet
STAINED. And as no symptoms of strife, dis
sension, or disagreement, have yet manifested
themselves, there are as yet no evidences that
the Mormon system will soon lose its strength,
or that Mormon development will abate the
rapid progress which now distinguishes it. This
fact induces many to believe that the people of
Utah, with all their present moral and physical
peculiarities, will soon apply for admission in
to the Union as an independent State. This
belief has initiated discussion of the ques
ton: What shall be done with the application
OF Utah to be admitted as State?
The question seems to perplex good many
people. Some persons, whilst speaking with
adherence Of the religion of the Mormons, and
especially of the practice of polygamy which
prevails amongst them, contend that these are
matters with which the Federal Government
has no concern when considering their appli.
cation for admittance. And it really seems to
US, that inasmuch as the Federal Government
tolerates the practice of polygamy and the other
enormities of the Mormon faith in the Terri
tory of Utah, its character could not be much
damaged in that regard, by transferring the
whole subject TO q State government which
would be entirely Independent of the Federal
authority, 30 far as a plurality Of wives and the
crime Of bigamy are concerned. Many of the
peculiarities of the Mormon religion may be
regarded as partaking Of political character,
inasmuch as they relate TO political institutions
and municipal regulations. In SO far as these
may be inconsistent with the republican form
of government which the Federal Government
must guarantee to every State, they will doubt.
less furnish good and sufficient reasons for de.
nying to the people of Utah admittance into
the Union.
But it seems TO us that the press is not be-
ginning the discussion Of Mormon affairs ex.
aetly at the right point. II is, in our judgment,
overlapping questions Of present importance
TO grapple with those which have not presented
themselves. As yet we have seen no evidences
that the Mormons entertain any wish to frame
State constitution and ask for admittance
into the Union. They seem to be perfectly
contented as they are; and well they may be,
for they manage the affairs Of Utah--both
political and religious--exactly as they please,
and receive at the same time important pecu-
mary aid from the Treasury Of the United
States. Whilst this condition Of things is per
mitted to continue we have no idea, that
Congress will be troubled with an application
70 admit Utah. There is but little prospect, we
think, that the press viii be called upon to dis
cuss the applicability Of Federal dogmas or Of
State rights principles to Mormon creeds and
polygamist practices.
five are rightly informed, there are ques
tons touching Mormonism, now pressing for a
decision, which will, in their turn, decide all
those which are likely TO arise. The obligation
on Congress TO give Republican form to all
Territorial Governments is surely az great as
its obligations TO require the States TO adopt a
Republican form Of government. Congress
has framed Territorial Government for the
Mormons; but, unfortunately, the head of the
Mormon Church was appointed Governor, not
withstanding his long array OF afeetionate
wives. The Executive authority Of the State
being thus entrusted to the same hands which
welded the spiritual authority Of the Church,
all the Republican principles Of the Terri
torial Government were effectually strangled
This blunder Of the last administration nat.
urally perplexed and increased the difficult
ties Of difficult subject, and left il with all
its entanglements TO be decided by the De-
mocratic party. Brigham Young's term Of
Office has just expired; but he has enjoyed
his authority for four years, and very DIFF
ferent task in connection with the Mormons
is presented to the present from that which
was presented TO the last administration.
Bingham Young has naturally crown inso.
lent from four years enjoyment Of executive
aud spiritual authority; and he says that be
viii not be removed, but he will act as governor,
whether he is reappointed or superseded in bis
Office. To reappoint him would be TO follow
ont the policy initiated by Mr. Fillmore.
But that policy would leave the existing evils
to grow larger, and become more formidable.