The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-12

| friends
| Curious State OF Things In Utah-soclal and
Political Aspect OF MOrmOnAsm.
We devote considerable space in this morn.
| ing's paper to the publication of several ad-
dresses Of Brigham Young to the men and
women, particularly the women Of Utah. Nor
| monism, it will be seen, is fully developed in
these discourses.
Those political distractions which are made
the watchwords Of party, and are often the de-
vices of clever politicians to gain popularity,
after all pretty unmanageable when they are
carried out to the letter. AL practical states
men know this perfectly well, and as machinists
do in their calculations, they make large allow
ance for friction. This, indeed, is the secret of
the inconsistency which is so often charged upon
even the most eminent Of public men. They
perceive that rigid invariable policy
viii not work in the management Of pub
lie affairs; and while principle is the polar
star expediency is often the current which takes
them out of their course. 1t would be amusing
which have been put forth and maintained in our
own country-to which men have adhered with
the most pious fidelity, and which, in themselves
very questionable, have produced considerable
difficulty, and sometimes threatened the whole
fabric Of government.
We have now another example of this truth in
this country, and in an undeniable proposition for
all who believe in republican forms Of govern
ment. 1t is that the people are the true sove-
reigns and must, and Of right ought to, control
their own domestic institutions and forms Of law ;
always provided, however, that these must have
republican form; for we do not believe that We
have the right to choose any other, and the con-
stitution, therefore, guarantees no other. Squat
ter sovereignty has turned up with real basis
of principle, carrying out democracy to its
farthest limit, and placing infant States, at the
moment Of embryo, on footing Of equality with
the oldest, maturest and most prosperous Of their
contemporaries. But it has been made an ex-
wrongs under its own name As its meaning
has been interpreted practically by pro-slavesy
men, it has led TO bioodshed and disorder in
Kansas, and the exercise Of Illegal authority, sup
ported by the military forces Of the Union.
AS 1t is construed in Utah, Normonism claims
its aid in entering into the confederacy. The
American government has found the condition Of
this community singularly analogous to that Of
others with political organization, and has 50
far pretty much left it to ITSELF IT is character
istic of an age which has INDUCED in the widest
opinions of the objects Of existence the rights Of
individuals and the functions OF States. But il il
the only one which has been able TO mature itself
by an independent code and policy Of its own.
The sovereign power Of the people Of the Terri
tories to make laws for themselves, not incon-
sistent with the constitution, now confirmed by
the Kansas Nebraska act, has become the handy
text Of Mormon politicians Fouricrism, lcarian-
ism, Shakerism, mutual attraction and Mormon.
sm--al the varieties Of religious and irrcgious
theories which have crowded themselves upon
public observation Of late years-have ventured
no farther than to extend themselves in restrict.
Cd social form. None of their societies, or colo
MES have until now exercised sovereign authority.
But an attempt will be made forthwith, In q very
serious manner In the extracts in to-lay's liE-
RAID will be seen what ia the aim and what Is the
condition Of Utah, and how il claims ADM sion
among the States upon principle which Is now
fully recognized by majority Of the American
people.
Mormonism, with its polygamous abomina-
tioDs, extends its support to the Kansas and Nc
braska act, and Utah is coming into the Union T
II can, with its domestic institutions, upon the
great abstraction Of Territorial sovereignty. But
a few days since the readers Of the HERALD must
have noticed the official endorsement OF the prin.
ciple by brigham Young, the Mormon President,
and the ayowal Of the intention Of the Latter
Day Saints 10 turn il TO their own account.
Their proclamation contains the following OK
plict declaration
by wbrh 70 be effected reception ~ sovereign
state with too domestic Institutions Of slavery and poly
old under asipe authority and rcncwcd 70 toe saas Of
latter days through Gods chosen rulers and prophets
AT the session Of the next Congress we shall
find this Official with his forty wives and hun
dred children demanding the admission OF Utah
into the Union; aud how. We should like to
know, is the application TO be rcfuscd9
We have permitted The most illegal, unconstitu.
tional laws to be passed by pretended Terrific
rial Legislature in Kansas; and knowing them q
be absolutely false and fraudulent, Mr.. Pierce
and bis administration have used the military
force OF the nation 10 enforce them What ex-
cusc can, then, I've offered for refusing TO admit
Utah, be its laws ever so illegal and its domestic
institutions ever so dangerous The first step
has been made in Kansas, not in the letter
ror spirit of the Kansas and Nebraska act. but
Ivy force Of arms; and SO that Territory comes
botbling along, bruised and bloody, covered
with wounds and purifying sores, TO be admit
}, into the Union upon the claim Of minority
Of her settlers. Now comes Utah, with its po-
litcal and religious monstrositics, its long and
ley rous train Of moral criminals, and its domestic
institutions incompatible with the principles or
virtue and 'ucticc, ASKING TO join tbc confcderacy