Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-12-03
Is War Inevitable?


of Benjamin" have thrown down the glove
to Uncle Sam, and he has no other alterna-
tive but TO .fght--a business he is. never 10th
to engage in on all proper occasions.
But, aside from jesting. the Mormon diff
6culty would really seem to be assuming
the attitude of war. They have gone SO
far as to openly avow their intentions of de-
Tending, to the uttermost. the approach of
L. S. troops. For ourselves, we are glad to
see this crisis in Mormonism 1t Is what
We have long looked for, and long desired.
We see now way of easily Kidding our
selves OF this poligamous people, who, with
in the confines of our christian country
practice, under the galb Of religion, all the
iniquites Of eastern barbarsm.
1t has for long time been serious
problem what should be done in the mat
ter. Their unblushing crimes could not
much longer be treated with impunity; and
yet it was p delicate and dangerous CUES
ton, how far, under the constitutional rights
Of people to regulate their own domestic
affairs. government could interfere.
This difficulty was sill more increased
when the Administration, injudiciously,
as we think. clothed Brigham Young, the
head and front Of that Ubiquitous body, with
sovereign power in the Territory. This
authority gave coloring to his acts, and
seemed to close every avenue through
which We might reach their barbarous prac-
tees.
The only seemingly feasible solution to
this difficult problem, was that suggested
by Senator Douglas in his speech before tie
Supreme Judges of Illinois. He proposed
that Congr' SIS should reconsider the vote,
by which they gave Utah Territorial gov
eminent, and, having repealed this act, di
vide it up and hinge it on to the adjoining
states and territories, and thus bring it un
der the absolute control OF their municipal
regulations. The result of this would be
to effectually crush out all the vile practices
of Mormonism, and perhaps banish them
from the land.
This plan. in the last extremity, was a
good one; but Uncle Sam, who never means
to do anything hurriedly and rashly, al
lowed things to take their own course for
awhile, and, like the immortal McCauber,
kept waiting Cor something to turn up.-
That something has now turned up--the
Mormon powers, blind to their own inter-
ests, have forfeited the protection of our
government by openly Withdrawing their
allegiance and declaring her their common
enemy. These acts have been followed up
by an attack upon, and destruction OF the
government stores; and proclamation
from the great prophet and priest, calling
all to general muster aud preparation for
war.
1t now only remains for Uncle sam to
chastise their disobedience, which he Is
speedily preparing to do. and either make
them virtuous. law-abiding citizens, or
Danish them to the Russian or British pos
sessions whose cool climates may have
much to do towards purifying their church.
Hear what the High Priest, Brigham
saws. He rehearses their woes with most
touching pathos. and then wakes wrathy,
another exemplifcation Of the adage,-
Whom the Gods wish to destroy they first
make mad:''
BRIGHAN's DECLARATION or WAR.
CITIZENS OF UTAH: We are invaded by hostile
force who are evidently assailing to accomplish
our overthrow and destruction. For the last TWEEN
ty-fve years we have trusted officials of the Gov
eminent, from constables ard justices, to judges,
governors and presidents, only to be scorned, held
in derision, insulted and BETRAYED. Our houses
have been plundered and then burned, our fields
laid waste, our principal men butchered while un-
der pledged faith of the Government for their safe
w. and our families driven from their homes 10 find