The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-23

The republican OF abolition party pronounce that de
cson cruel nhunan and infamous, and appeal to the
American people TO disregard and refuse to obey IT, Let
us JOIN issue with them and put ourselves upon the
try for trial lCheers aud applause
Mr. President 4 win now respond TO the call which
has been made upon for my opinion OF the condition
OF things in Utah aud the appropriate remedy for exist
Ing evils t4 FF E8F
The Territory of Utah was organized under one of the
acts known as the compromise of 1856 the
supposon that the inhabitants were American citizens
owing and acknowledging allegiance the United States
and consequently entitled 10 the benefits of self govern
ment while Territory, and to admission into the Union
ON an equal footing with the original States as
they should number the requisite population 1t
conceded all hands and by all parties that the pecu-
afities OF their religious faith and ceremonies nteposed
no valid and constitutional objection to their reception
into the Union in conformity with the federal consttu-
ton so long as they in all other respects entitled to
admission Hence the great political parties Of the
try endorsed and approved the compromise of
1850 including the act for the organization OF the Terri
tory of Utah with the hope and in the confidence that
the inhabitants would conform to the constitution and
laws and prove themselves worthy, respectable and law
abiding citizens If We are permitted to place credence
IN The rumors and reports from that country sand must
be admitted that they have increased and strengthened
and assumed consistency and plansibty by each sue
ceeding mail seven years experience has disclosed
state OF facts entirely different from that which was sup
posed 10 exist when Utah was organized These rumors
and reports would sean. to Justify the belief that the fol
lowing facts are susceptible Of proof
birth who have refused TO become naulalized to take
the oath Of allegiance to do any other act recognising
the government OF the United States the paramount
authority in that Territory.
I'd. That all the inhabitants, whether native alien
born, known Mormons, land they constitute the
whole people OF the Territory bound BY horrd oaths
and terrible penalties 70 recognise apd maintain the al
thorlty Of Brigham Young and the government OF which
he IL the head paramount to that of the United States
in civil well religious affairs and that they will in
due time, and under the direction of their leaders, all
in their power TO subver the government Of the
United States and resist its authority.
3D. That the Mormon government With Brigham
Young at its head, is nov forming alliances with the In
dian tribes of Utah and adjoining territories stimulating
the Indians to acts Of hostility, and organizing bands of
his own followers under the name of 'Danites or De-
stroyng Angels, 10 prosecute system Of robbery and
murder upon American citi2enE wha support the author
lily OF the unitsd STATES and denoulce te infamous and
disgusting practices and institutions of The Mormon gov
crnment
IT, upon full investigation, these representations shall
prove true they will establish the fact that the inhabt
ants of Utah, community arc outlaws and alien enc
mics unfit 70 exercise tho right OF solfgovernment under
the organic act and unworthy to be admitted into the
Union State when their only object in seeking adms
sion is to ntepose The sovereignty Of the State ms an IN
yneblc shield to protect them in their cason and crime
debauchery and inamy. Applause
Under this view of tho aubject, think is the duty
of the President have doubt it il his fixed purpose
to Brigham Young and all his followers from
Office and to fill their places with bold, able, ard true
men, and to thosou.,. searching investigation
into all the crimes aud cnomtics which alleged to be
perpeated daily in that Territory, under the direction Of
Brigham Young and his conederacs, and TO lse all the
military lorre necessary to protect The oloers in tho dis
charge Of their duties, and to enforce the laws OF the
land Applause.
When the authentic evidence shall arrive if it shall
establish the facts which believed to exist it viii BE-
the duty Of Congress 70 apply Tho kn.u and cut out
this loatilsonte disgusting ulcer [AppauAel No tenn
porizng policyno half way measure will then
Ioah nar l,cet Inv v,n bayn nait
deeply upon the subject that act of Congress prohibit
ing murder, lobbery, poygany and ofhsr cnnes, with
appropriate penalties for those Offences would afford ade
qatc remedies all the enormites complained Of Sup
pose such law to be tho satntobook, and boiuyc
they have criminal code, providing the usual punish
mens for the entire catalogue Of crimes according to the
sages of all civilized and Christian countries, with the
exception of polygamy which il pracse under the
ton OF the Mormon church, but is neither prohibited
authorized by the laws Of the Territory.
Suppose, repent, THAT iplgtess shouo pass law pre-
scribng criminal code md Furnishing polygamy among
other Offences what effect would have what good would
it do Would you call on twenty three granddaughter
with twenty three wives each to find bill Of in
dicment against poor miserable wretch for having two
wivest Cheers and laughter Would You rely upon
twelve petit Jurors with twelve wives each to convict the
same loathsome wretch for having two wives? IContin
ued applause Would You expect grand Jury COM
posed of twenty three .Danites to find bill of inct
ment against brother "Danite for having murdered
GENTLE they call all American citizens under their di-
ectonY Much less would you expect jury Of twelve
destroying angels TO find another destroying angel
guilty of the crime Of murder, and cause him TO be
hanged for no other OFFENCE than that of taking the life
of Gentle No. II there Is any truth IN the reports
receive from Utah, Congress may pass what laws it
chooses, but you rely upon the local tribunals
and uIics to punish crimes committed by Mormons in
that Territory. Some other and efect,al remedy
must be devised and applied In my opinion the first
step should be the absolute and unconditional repeal Of
the organic bot,ing tho territorial government out
of existenceupon the ground that they alien
mics and outlaws denying their allegiance and dciyng
the authority Of the United States. Immense applause
The territorial government once abolished, the country
would revert to its primitive condition prior to the Of
1850 under tho sole and exclusive jurisdiction OF ha
United States and should he placed under the operation
of the Of Congress of the 3Ot of April 1890 and
the various acts supplemental thereto and amcnatory
thereof providing for the punishment Of crimes against
the United States within any fort, arsenal dock yard
magazine ANY OTHER PLACE COUNTRY IN
SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE jurisdiction Of Hc United States "
All offences against the provisions of these acts are re-
qured by law to be tried and punished by the United
States courts In the States Territories where The offend
cn shall be FIRST AprREIRNnEn nRoucur TRIAL
Thus it will be that under the plan proposed Brig
ham Young and his conederacs could be "apprehendcd
and brought for trial to Iowa Missouri California or
Oregon to any other adjacent State Territory where
fair trial could be had and Justice administered impair
tiaywherc the witnesses could be protected and the udg
of the court could be carried into execution without
yiolcnccor intimidation. donotproposc to introduce any
principles into jurisprudence nor 70 change Tho
modes of proceeding the rules of practice In our courts
only propose to place the district Of country embraced
within the territory of Utah under the operation of the
same laws and rules Of proceeding that Kansas Ncbras
ka Minnesota and other Territories were placed be-