Washington telegraph., 1857-12-09
Mormon Affairs.
BRIGHAM YoUNG's PROCLAMATION.

Cii=cas or Ltah:-We are invaded BY
a hostile force, who are evidently assaihng
us 10 accomplish our overthrow and de-
struction- For the last twenty-five years
we have trusted officials Of the govern
ment from constables and justices, to Judges,
governors, and presidents, only to be seorn-
ed, held in derision, insnlted and betrayed.
Our houses have been plundered, our fields
laid waste, our principal men butchered,
while under the faith Of the government
for their safety, and our families driven
from their homes to find that shelter in
this barren wilderness, and that protection
among hostile sayages which were denied
then in the boasted abodes of Christianity
and civilization.
The constitution Of our common coun-
try guarantees unto IL All that We do now
w have ever claimed. If the cunstitu-
tional rights which pertains to u as Amer
lean citizens were extended to Utah ac-
cording to the spirit and meaning therof.
and fairly and impartially administered, it
is all that we could ask-all that We have
ever asked.
Our opponents have availcd themselves
of prejudiccs existing against Us. because
Of our religious faith, to send out a forni
dable host to accomplish our destruction.
We have no privilege or opportunity Of de-
fending ourselves from the false, foul and
unjust aspersions against u before the ma
tion. TIC Government has not conde-
seconded ID cause al investigating commit
tec or other person ID inquire into and
ascertain the truth, is i customary Id such
cases. We know these aspersiDns to be
ialse; but thai ayails US nothing. We are
condemned unheard, and forced to an is
sue with an armed mercenary mob, which
has been sent against u al the instiga-
tim of anonymous letter-Rriters, ashamed
N father the base, slanderUus faIsehoods
which they have given u the public-ot
corrupt officials, who have brought false ac-
cusati0ns against Us to screen themselves
ia their own iuflmy, and Of hireling editors
and howIing priests, who prostitute the
truth for filthy !ucfes sake
The i.-ue which has thus been forced
upon IL cJmpelS IL To resort fo the great
first law If sclf-TrrservatiUn, and stand
III onF own defence right guaranteed
unio us by the genius Of the institutions
Of cur country, aud upon which the Gov
ernment i based. Our duty - ourselves,
ID our families, requires Us not 10 tamclT
submit to be driven anl slain without an
attempt to preserve ourselves. Du- duty ~
our country, our holy religion, OUR Ggd, u
Freedom and liberty, requires that We
should not quietly stand still aud see those
fet.ers forging around Us which are calcu-
lnted 70 elslaye and bring Us into subiec-
dion ID an unlawful military despotism.
snlh XII can only cnauatc, in country III
constitutional law, from usurpatiun, ryran-
aE -ni oppression.
Therefore, T. Brigham YOUNG, Governor
and Superintendent Of Indian Affairs ior
the Territory Of Utah. in the name Of the
people Of the United States, in the Terri
tory u Utah, forbid
F.r-f-All armed forces NJ any le-crip-
ticn from coming iEiD the Territory, under
anr F=etanra whatever
.so-ond-That III the forces IN said Ter
rityFy hold themselves in readiness to
march at a moments notice to repel any
and nj such invasion.
Third-NIartial law j. hereby declared
To exist in this Territory, frJin and after
thc publication of this proclamation, aud
uo person shall be allowed u D. Into or
through o. from this Territory, without
permit from the proper officer
Given under my hand and seal, at Great
Salt Lake City. Territory of Utah, this
fifteenth day Of September, a. D. eigh-
teen hundred and fiity-sevcn, and of the
Independence Of the United States Of
America, the ninety-secogd.
BRIGHAM YOUNG.