Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-04-08
& Portrait Of Brigham Young.

@s-S AiUSpduu III L IaE Is tue tIA4c
of a work recently published in New York
1t is by Austin Il. Ward, and it gives many
curious details in relation to Utah, the man
ncrs and habits of the people. The following
sketch of the masterpiece of Mormonism,
which we copy from It's pages, will DO read
with interest at this time. By the way, is is
stated that Major Ben Mccullough. of Texas,
has been offered the Goyernorship of Utah
He is man of energy, courage and determi-
nation, and at the sama time, Of integrity
and character.
Brigham Young Is a remarkable man, sec
ond to the Mohammed of the Western Con-
tinent, and ike Aubeeker and All, abundantly '
qualified 70 carry out and perpetuate his
scheme of imposture and fanaticism lie can
act the part of chief magistrate and supreme
pontitt; or. with equal facility. he turns noun
tobank and astonishes the world by such du-
ties as few civil or religious functionaries
would dare to attempt He supports by
precept and example domestic lninistration
never before admitted among enlightened
people. Yet his community receives month
ly accessions of strength by the arrival Of
enigrant converts from the different Europe
an nations. Young, beautiful, and accom-.
piished women; men of property aud intelli-
gence lay their offerings on the shrine Of his
faith sciicitous for his bendictions, and ODE
dent TO his mandates.
Some of his messages from the pulpit are
perfect gems IN their way, witty, original, in
many respects decidedly laughable, and un-
like anything of the kind ever heard before
He chooses texts from Bible, a newspaper,
or an almanac. He quintly touches on every
conceivable topic-war, commerce, peace, in
dustry, art, and love. These comprehensive
addresses generally involve pretty sharp dig
at the President, and rather severe criticism
on Governmental affairs at Washington In
deed, it Is evident that indistinct visions of
future greatness, and supreme independent
power, sometimes float through the brain of
the distinguished hiersrch yet his strong.
good sense prevents and undue display Of
vanity or self-importance. At this time it is
impossible to balance his faults and virtues.
or to decide whether the title of enthusiast or
imposter more properly beleng to him or his
predecessor. There is bu. one step between
the two.
This man has likewise managed to acquire
and retain an almost unbounded influence
over the minds of his followers Neither
envy. malice, nor rival leaders have succeeded
II
dent seems to have considered the experiment.
of forcibly ejectipg him from authority as an
act Of dangerous tendency. Why else was
the appointment Of Colonel Sicptoe 10 the
territorial government OF Utah aud Mormon
dom suffered to fall quietly to the ground,
when it was ascertained that Brigham would
not willingly resign. This step affords dan
gerous precedent. Either the appointment
should never have been made, CIR else carried
out at all hazards. If the general govern
ment caunot Or does no. make them respect
its authority now, what are we to expect when
the population Of Utah has Increased seven
fold?
Yet it must be confessed that Brigham
Young has shown much discretion in the exer-
else oftie one man power, and has maintained
cfeditable city government at little expense.
Setting himself above the laws of his country,
and scorniDg the wisdom Of others his own
mother-wit, readily served as q substitute for
both. Yet, like many other great men, the
Norman leader Is not eminently distinguished
for the moral virtues. In fact, be Affects no
superior sanctity, but is ri ther all things to
all men-to the man of business he is 3 man
Of business-to the man of pleasure, be is
man of pleasure to that class who, above all
others, obtain the irst place in tho affections
of . hero, he is most devoted in his attentions
and liberal OF his gitts-here broach, aud
there ring; here collar, and there a muff
To those who have property to sell, he is
liberal buyer; and to his credit be it spoken,
he always pays his debts. He is the munii-
cent patron of artists, and mechanics, cspeci-
ally those of his own people. and either en-
ploys himself. or obtains employment for them.
Yet Brigham Young would be a dangerous
enemy, and many fearful though secret
crimes have been imputed to him, with what
justice it is impossible to say Perhaps the
greatest evidence that these reports are not
without foundation, is afforded by the fact
that he is so afraid of assassination, as to be
suspicious of strangers. Is this
mere frailty of mental constitution, or is there
another cause in the promptings of guilty
conscience?