The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-10

length been finally decided by the highest iu-
cIcial tribunal of tie country-and this upon
the plain principle, that when Confederecy Of
sovereign States acquire a new Territory st
their Joint expense, both equality and justice
demand that the citizens of one and all of them
shall have the right to take into it whatsoever
Is recognised as property by the common Con-
stitution. To have summary confscated the
property in slaves already in the Territory
would have been an act CT gross injustice, and
contrary to the practice of the older States of
the Union which have abolished Slavery.
a Territorial Government was established
for Utah by act of Congress approved the 9th
September, 1850, and the Constitution and
laws Of the United States were thereby extend.
ed over IT, $50 far as the same, or any provis-
pms thereof, nsy be applicable" This act
vlded for the appointment by the President,
and With the advice aud consent of the Sen
N'e, Of Governor, who was to be ex officio Su-
perintendent of Indian Affairs, Secretary,
three judges of the Supreme Court, a Marshal,
ard District Attorney. Subsequent acts pro-
V'ded tor the appointment of the officers neces.
sary to extend our land and our Indian System
over the Territory. Brigham Young was ap-
pointed the fret Governor on the 10Th Septem-
Der, 1850, and has held the office ever since.
whilst Governor Young has been both Govern
or and Superintendent of Indian A fairs through
cut this period, he has been at the same time
the head of the church called the Latter Day
SAINTS, and processes to govern its members
ana dispose of their property by direct inspra.
ton and authority from the Almighty. His
power has been, therefore, absolute over both
Church and State
The people of Utah, almost exclusively, be-
long to this church, and, believing with fanat-
ical spirit that he is Governor of the Territory
by DIVINE appointment, they obey his COM
hands as if these were direct revelations from
Heaven. If, therefore, he chooses that bis
Government shall come into collision with the
Government of the United States, the members
ofthe Mormon church will yield implicit obedi-
ence to bis will. Unfortunately, existing facts
leave but little doubt that such is his determi-
nation. Without entering upon a minute his
tory Of occurrences, it is sufficient to say that
| all the officers of the United States, judicial
and executive, with the single exception of two
Indian agents, have found it necessary for their
own personal safety to withdraw from the Ter
| ritory, and there no longer remains any Gov
eminent in Utah but the despotism Of Brigham
| Young. This being the condition of affairs in
| the Territory, could not mistake the path of
duty. AS Chief Executive Magistrate, was
| bound TO restore the supremacy of the Consti-
tuition and laws within its limits. In order to
effect this purpose, l appointed new Govern
or and other Federal officers for Utah, end sent
with them military force for their protection,
and 70 aid as q posse comitGtus, in case of need,
| in the execution of the laws.
| With the religious opinions of the Mormons,
as long as they remained mere opinions, how.
ever deplo-able in themselves, and revolving to
the moral and religious sentiments Of all Christ
endonl, had no right to interfere. Actions
| alone, when In violation of the Constitution
ard lsws of the United States, become the le
| gi;im;.te subjects for the Jurisdiction of the
civil magistrate. My instructions to Governor
Camp ling have therefore been framed in strict
| accor lance with these principles At their date,
a. hope was INDUCED that no necessity might
exist for employing the military in restoring
aud I maintaining the authority of the law but
/ this lope has now vanished. Gov. Young
hcs, ny proclamation, declared his determina-
! ti5n maintain his power by force, and has
alrea ~ committed acts of hostility against the
Unit States. Unless he should retrace his
steps the Territory of Utah will be in state
OF o. en- rebellion. He has committed these
acts 2f hostility, notwithstanding Major Van
Vliet an officer of the army, sent to Utah by
tie commanding general to purchase provis-
ions or the troops, had given him the strong
eat .surances of the peaceful intentions of the
Cove tnment, and that the troops would only be
emp eyed as posse comitatus when called on
By IT. civil authority to ala in the execution OF
TIE Avs.
TLere is reason to believe that Gov. Young
, has long contemplated this result. He knows
that The continuance of his despotic power de-
Ponds upon the exclusion of all settlers from the
/; TER tory, except those who will acknowledge
his divine mission and implicitly obey his will :;
! and hat an enlightened public opinion there
! V,ould soon PROSTATE Institutions at with
! the laws both of God and man. He has there
fore, for several years, in order to maintain his
| inde ,endence, been industriously employed in
! oolls citing and fabricating arms and munitions
| Ct v ar, and in disciplning the Mormons for
e,ili airy service. AS Superintendent of Indian
| bffs rs, he has had an opportunity of tamper-
! lag gith the Indian tribes, and exciting their
lost lie feelings against the United States This,
| ace rding to our information, he has accom-
tlis ed in regard to some of these tribes, while
| otht Is have remained true to their allegiance,
/! and have communicated his intrigues to our
/ Indian agents. He has laid in q store Of pro-
visions for three years, which, in case Of neces-
sty, as he informed Major Van Vliet, he will
conceal, and then take to the mountains, and
bid defiance to all the powers of the Govern
i ment."
i A great part of all this may be idle boasting
but yet no wise Government will lightly esti
mate the efforts which may be inspired by such
mons in Utah. This is the first rebellion which
has existed in our Territories; and humanity
| itself requires that we should put it down in
such manner that it shall be the last. To
triAe with it would be to encourage it, and TO rem
| der it formidable. We ought to 60 there with
such an imposing force as to convince these de-
| luded people that resistance would be vain, and
thus spare the effueion of blood. We can in
/ this manner best convince them that We are
| their friends, not their enemies.
Elm order to accomplish this object it will be
necessary, according to the estimate of the War
Department, to raise four additional regiments
and this earnestly recommend to Congress.
At the present moment of depression in the
revenues of the country, / am sorry to be
obliged to recommend such measure but /
feel confident of the support Of Congress, cost
what it may, in suppressing the insurrection,
and in restoring and maintaining the sover-
eighty of the Constitution and laws over the
Territory of Utah.
recommend to Congress the establishment
of Territorial Government over Arizona. in
cooperating with it such portions of New Mex
leo as they may deem expedient. l need
scarcely adduce arguments in support of this
recommendation. We are bound to protect the
lives and the property of our citizens inhabit-
ing Arizona, and these are now without efficient
protection. Their present number is already
considerable, and is rapidly increasing, not.
withstanding the disadvantages under which
they labor. Besides, the proposed Territory is
believed to be rich in mineral and agricultural
resources, especially in silver and copper. The
mails of the United States to California are now
carried over it throughout its whole extent, and
this route is known to be the nearest, and be-
L Al IzzA Al D.