The Nevada journal., 1857-12-18
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 18th, 1857.
With the Mormons, it is said. a con-

that its arms have been turned against
its own citizens. We say against its
own citizens-the expression needs quail
lhcation. The Mormons, though occu-
pying a portion of the T. S. territory,
are as much aliens to the government as
the people of the respective nations
from which they mostly were drawn
Processing at times allegiance to the
Union when convenience dictates, they
are foreigners in spirit as we'll as by
birth and education. They have not a
patriotic sentiment in common with the
American people. The few among
them who Glanced to be born in the
United States, have had the devotion to
country that may have warmed their
bosoms in earlier years. seduced by as
sociation with the low born, low minded
offcasts of monarchical Europe, or ex-
tinguished by that stronger passion, re-
ligious fanaticism, till the only evidence
Of an American feeling existing among
the Latter Day Saints, is discovered in
a hypocritical profession on polite oc-
casions. Lately it would seem the
treachery of the tribe, all along lurking
under cover, has disclosed itself in open
antagonism to the government Of the
United States. Excess upon excess has
at length called for restraint and the
administration has been forced to as
sumo an attitude of coercion towards
the Mormons. AHitude may be every
thing in some arts akin to war, but an
earnest of force in war itself is the men
and munitions adequate to the occasion.
The small command of Gel. johnson
may present an appearance Of some
thing which the difficulties to be cncoun-
tered clearly deride. Allowing the
strength of4the Mormons has been over
rated, it Yas not the prudent part to
send SO. small body of men, who, if
VIC arc to Believe the assertions of Brig
ham and his followers, are to be in dam
ger of the dagger, famine and poison if
open warfare shall fail to destroy them.
A few thousand more troops would not
have been amiss considering the nature
of the country to be visited and the peo-
pie to be dealt with. 1t would be a
gratifying spectacle to see a sufficient
number of soldiers poured into Salt
Lake City to sustain the dignity of the
government and chastise the recreant
villains into decent subjection to whole
some regulations. This we arc not like
ly to see. However brave and expert
enced a soldier may be the leader cf the
Utah expedition, the odds are too great
against him to render it probable that he
will winter in the city of the Saints, ac-
cording to his intentions. He will have
to contend against some as good troops
as his own command can furnish, and
led on by religious en;husiasts-the
very worst enemies to encounter. The
bloodiest scenes recorded in history,
were made so by religious fanaticism.
Armies, impregnable walls, and opulent
e.ties were overturned and destroyed by
the blind zealots Of Mohammed and his
successors. That is but an example.
History is constantly repeating itself in
that particular.
We have reason to believe that the
Mormons will fight desperately. The
spirit which determined men to sacrifice
home, comfort and almost everything
they possessed in the world as we have
had an example in San Bernardino. will
lead TO scenes of more imminent trial.
IF attachment to the Mormon heresies
will induce a whole people to forego
every pleasure in which men delight
we may be sure there is nerve still left
for more trying sacrifices. The Nor
mons will fight, though it may be with
out hope of success. The news from
Salt Lake is of the most interesting
character. 1t seems to be Introductory
to a new chapter in the annals of the
nation-a chapter on civil war, which
on the one side is to partake of a relig
ious character. Nor is the other to be
wholly exempt from religious aninnos
ity. TIE feeling wiG be sedulously
cultivated and kept alive among one o
the contending parties as basis o
strength, while among the othersi it can
not be repressed.
We have all along given little ere
dence to the reports from Salt Lake, ant
have consequently refused them admis
sion in our columns. Demented as W,
have been prone to regard the Nor