The Washington union., 1857-06-10
For tho Union.
THE MoRMoNs.

ton Mercury
This latter article which the Star approves in all its
parts propose TO examine and the principles involved
are important and fundamental ones and have every
disposition to deal fairly with Charleston contempo-
ray include the entire article of the Mercury among
these comments though in detached parts for con-
vcnent reference
The article opens thus
.'TuE MoRmoss Much has been said within the last
two months of the atrocty and barbarism of Mormon
practices and institutions. Many papers have
mended the interference of the government and the up
roofing of this foul from the surface of
body polite
The Mormons have in fact, set up for themselves
inpcriua Ia npaie They have gone further, and TO
some extent deed the authority of the United States II
Is said Mr. Buchanan and the cabinet have determined to
enforce the governmental authority and TO this extent
we highly approve of interference. To the point of
maintaining the authority Of the United States deem
it not only expedent but necessary to proceed This is
practicable and easy Of accomplishment, though possibly
expensive Even If resisted, five ten thousand men,
under a rcsolute commander could speedily
these people and enforce obedience to United States
laws"
With the Mercury, to the point of maintaining the
authority of the United States deem it only eod
e BUT NECESSARY, proceed and have never learned
that the President and his cabinet intend to proceed be-
yond this point.
The Mercury continues:
{" In reality there is ncompatibility between Nor
monism and the United States authority. The latter
limited in its scope and does not reach the peculiarcs
of the Mormons. Let u.s. for moment, examine them
and They consist of two things-poygamy and
voluntary church government.
'Polygamy, as it is called amongst the Mormons, is
only concubinage No form of marriage is executed be-
tween the parties Brigham Young, of the elders
says to woman that she is scaled to such a man. and
she goes and lives with him. Brigham calls all who
sealed to him wives but they only concubncs Now
is there any law the United States making concubnage
of the pa1ul ulfpr,,
BILE offence in their courts; but there is such law
acted by Congress for the Territories made by Utah
for the people that nhabit its Territory The concubi-
mage of Momonsm may, therefore, continue in existence
with the full authority of the United States in this Terri
tory.
As to the other popularity quasi government of
their church All churches take cognzance of the con-
duct of their members and the submission to their be-
hests is entirely voluntary So, if the Momons think
proper to submit to the decrees of their church. in mat
tiers of personal conduct in matters of property
did the primitive Christians, how government in
tecre II the people will not bring suits into the
of the United States how the courts adudicate 1t
appears to us therefore, that the popularity of Mormon
ism may coexist with the full acknowledgment of the
authority and laws of the United States. "
Inasmuch there exists no intention on the part of
the President and cabinet to regulate the marriage rela
on in Utah. to the people of that country into
bringing suits in the United States against
other do not propose to discuss the question whether
1.-THE popularity of Mormonism coexst with the full
acknowledgment Of the authority and laws of the United
States " The practical question is do the two co-exis
or rather the people of Utah disposed to conform
themselves to the authority and laws of the United
States Do PEOPLE UTAH CONFORM THEMSELVES TO
TIE AUTHORITY THE UNITED STATES
This is the question to be determined in discussing the
proprety of sending military force to Utah and wheth
not .Mormonism may coexist with acknowledge
ment of the authority of the United States is un
important consideration in discussing such proprety
That the people of Utah do conform themselves
the authority and laws of the United States the Mer
curry admits and the Executive believes or all events
enertains apprehensons.
The Mercury they have set up for themselves
ip,periun IN irapero and "to some extent defed the
authority of the United States, and the President and
cabinet t is understood have determined to send force
of $500 to that Territory For our part we have
doubt of the prudence well propety of sending
larger force that laws of the United States
be faithfully executed.
There facts known to the whole country which can
not be ignored These people have been expelled from
two States and have twice driven from their midst off
appointed by the President with the advice and
of the Senate to administer the laws of the country
These facts known TO the whole country, and may
not be ignored Thei1 weight must be acknowledged by
every rejecting mind.
We agree with the Mercury, that however much we
may dsapprove of be shocked the polygamous prac
tces of the Momons the Executive has no authority for
interfering either to regulate the marriage relation or as
the Mercury treats the subject tosuppess concubinage
We agree also with the Mercury that the Executive of
the United States has authority coerce the people
of Utah to bring suits in court against one another
The "Mormons perfectly free to submit their dis
pue of whatever kind the DEGREES of their church. or
to any other arbitration to have disputes at all
But the "Mormons are not the only people in Utah
unless indeed, with the surveyor general the Judge of
the United States court, the marshal and the woman
who boarded Gentcs," all other Gentes have been ex
pelled that country within the last few weeks.
The Territories of the United States were acquired by
the blood and of all the States AND
the stock and for he common Jeaea OF
the Union.
This evident fact and irresistible deduction from it,
first put forward by Luther Martin in 1887 in his speech
to the house of delegates of Maryland and subsequently
pursued by Mr. Calhoun-make the foundation upon
which the democratic party have reared their consttu
tonal legislation for the Territories perfected in the
Nebraska Kansas act by the repeal in terms of the
called Missouri Compromise.
The public lands held by the United States in trust
the common stock and for the common benefit of all
the States and the Territories open for settlement by
the citizens of all the States The Gentle citizens of
South Carolina and of every other State have he right to
go and settle in Utah. carrying with them their property
and rsgon but this right will be vauccss il their dis
putes of whatever kind and with whomsoeycr are to